The Charlotte Sports Foundation announced today that the Savannah Bananas’ two-night stop in Charlotte in June generated a total economic impact of $38.6 million, based on a report conducted by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), reinforcing the Foundation’s mission to improve quality of life in Charlotte through high profile sporting experiences.
The Savannah Bananas, a wildly popular baseball team known for their unique blend of sport, entertainment, viral dances and crowd interaction, brought their one-of-a-kind show to Bank of America Stadium June 6-7 as part of their 2025 tour. Blending the spectacle of live theater with the fundamentals of America’s pastime, the Savannah Bananas have become a cultural phenomenon, captivating fans with their high-energy performances and reimagined take on baseball.
Their Charlotte appearance proved no exception, drawing a total of 148,000 attendees over two nights, including more than 54,000 out-of-town visitors. According to ZIP code analysis conducted by the CRVA, nearly half of all attendees traveled more than 50 miles to attend, underscoring the event’s broad regional appeal and significant tourism draw.
“The mission of the Charlotte Sports Foundation is to elevate the city of Charlotte and positively impact the economy by bringing unparalleled sports events and experiences to town,” said Will Pitts, CEO of CSF. “When you combine an unforgettable fan experience like the Savannah Bananas with measurable economic value, everyone wins. Events like these create shared memories and bring life and energy to our city, and that’s exactly the kind of impact we’re here to make.”
Beyond the numbers, the Bananas’ stop in Charlotte added tremendous intangible value, creating family-friendly, accessible entertainment that united fans of all ages, backgrounds and zip codes. The event exemplifies how sports can serve as both an economic driver and a cultural touchstone that builds community and enhances the city’s vibrancy.
“While the numbers are impressive, the real story is in the memories made,” said Steve Bagwell, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. “Nearly half the fans traveled 50 miles or more to be here, filling our hotels, dining in local restaurants, and experiencing our city. That level of visitation generated $38.6 million in economic impact over just two nights. For many families, it was their first Savannah Bananas game, and they’ll always remember that it happened in Charlotte. We’re grateful to the Charlotte Sports Foundation and Tepper Sports for bringing events like this to Charlotte, experiences that bring people together, capture our city’s energy, and deliver real value for our community.”
“Charlotte Sports Foundation and Tepper Sports & Entertainment develop and execute these special events at the highest level,” said Savannah Bananas’ team president Jared Orton. “This was the biggest weekend in Banana Ball history and our partnership with everyone involved made for two incredibly memorable events for our fans.”
“At Tepper Sports & Entertainment, we are committed to delivering world-class events to our community. By expanding programming at Bank of America Stadium, we’re deepening fan engagement and boosting local impact, all while staying true to our NFL and MLS operations,” said Kristi Coleman, CEO of Tepper Sports & Entertainment. “Transforming the stadium into a baseball field for the first time ever was a fun opportunity to reimagine what’s possible and deliver something special to fans across the Carolinas and beyond.”
CSF’s ability to attract dynamic, national-caliber events, like the Savannah Bananas, Duke’s Mayo Bowl, ACC Football Championship Game, Charlotte Invitational, Ally Tipoff and the inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational, continues to raise Charlotte’s profile on the national stage. To learn more about the Charlotte Sports Foundation and upcoming events coming to the Queen City, visit CharlotteSports.org.