LOVE SPORTS? COME TO THE PEACH STATE. ROOT FOR MINOR LEAGUE & EXHIBITION TEAMS If Cracker Jacks and line drives are your idea of a good time, the Braves aren’t the only sluggers. Georgia lays claim to four Minor League Baseball teams – the Columbus Clingstones , Gwinnett Stripers , Augusta GreenJackets , and Rome Emperors – giving you a grand slam of options. In Savannah , treat yourself by seeing a Banana Ball game on home turf, courtesy of the viral sensations Savannah Bananas and Party Animals . They bring a bold, no-rules twist on baseball, blowing fans away with choreographed dancing, on-base backflips, and even a moonwalking umpire. Tip: Banana Ball requires some planning by entering a ticket lottery. In the past, the lottery opened in early October and closed about a month later. Heated rivalries clash on icy rinks at Macon Mayhem hockey games as three periods of action keep you on the edge of your seat. For more thrills with chills, check out the Athens Rock Lobsters at the new Akins Ford Arena or see the Savannah Ghost Pirates at Enmarket Arena . Tip: the Ghost Pirates are the minor league affiliate of the Florida Panthers, who won the 2025 Stanley Cup, taking home the prize for a second straight season. BURN RUBBER & SWING PADDLES Each October, Braselton puts on the Motul Petit Le Mans – four days of endurance races in which drivers intensely battle it out in Porsches, McLarens, Aston Martins, and other mechanical marvels. Take a break from the exhilaration of the chase at the Fan Zone, where you can grab a bite to eat, race laps in a simulator, and shop for souvenirs. If the simulator isn’t enough of a ride for you, check out Porsche Experience Center Atlanta . Select your favorite model before hitting the track to revel in the power and precision these cars hide beneath their shiny hoods. Pickleball’s popularity is ever-growing, too. If you’re a fan of this charmingly named sport, don’t miss a visit to Macon ’s Rhythm and Rally Sports and Events , one of the largest indoor pickleball facilities in the world. Smash and volley across 32 courts or sign up for their “New to the Game” class to learn the ropes from top-notch instructors. Chase sports action year-round across Georgia: be part of the energy that makes us the ultimate state for fans in every kind of jersey. SAVANNAH BANANAS | ANNA ROUCH EXPLOREGEORGIA.ORG 13
Official State Travel Guide 2026 Georgia Official State Travel Guide: Page 13
