As the 2026 baseball season gets underway,
another related sport is also ready to hit the mound: Banana Ball. And with it, a sweet new partnership for the team that launched the sport.
Dairy Queen has signed on as a partner for the
Savannah Bananas for the 2026 Banana Ball season.
Banana Ball, an entertaining, theatrical take on traditional baseball, launched around 2018 with the Savanah Bananas as its first team. The
sport was created to prioritize fan experience over traditional game rules and has its own set of 11 unique rules, such as a two-hour time limit, no walks, no bunting and encouraging fans to catch
foul balls for outs. Games also include choreographed player dances and acrobatic plays (including lots of backflips) while encouraging a family-friendly party atmosphere.
To promote the
partnership, DQ has released the Savannah Bananas Split Shake, with soft serve, milk, banana, strawberries, chocolatey shavings and whipped topping. The shake is available nationwide beginning Feb.
23.
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Maria Hokanson, executive vice president of marketing at American Dairy Queen Corporation, said, “We’re two brands that put the fan experience first, bring people together to
create special memories, and of course, love to flip. From pre-game pep rallies and foul-ball moments at Bananas games to … the new Savannah Bananas Split Shake, we’re excited to
offer fans unforgettable fun all summer long.”
DQ has slated activations and giveaways for the entire Banana Ball season, as well as pre-game pep rallies. Savannah Bananas players will
also make stops at various DQ locations along the way.
DQ will also have a “lineup of interactive fan experiences” at Banana Ball games, including opportunities for fans to win a
DQ shake. Whenever a spectator catches a foul ball, which is “a signature Banana Ball moment that signals an out,” the “DQ Shake Snag” will be triggered, which gives new DQ
Rewards members a free small shake through the DQ app.
The partnership will be promoted with an upcoming TV and social campaign.