This creates a controlled ecosystem where tickets can be resold strictly at face value – a measure specifically designed to block the astronomical profits seen on major third-party sites such as StubHub and SeatGeek.
Cole announced the fan-first initiative on Monday, calling it a necessary response to a growing problem. With the team’s unique “Banana Ball” games consistently selling out and a 4 million-strong waiting list, unauthorized resellers have not only jacked up prices but, in too many cases, sold fraudulent tickets.
“It kills me every time,” Cole said of seeing legitimate fans being turned away at the gate with counterfeit tickets purchased on unofficial platforms. He warned that tickets purchased through social media or other resale sites are “extremely risky” and cannot be guaranteed.
Eliminating costs and surcharges
The Bananas currently manage primary ticket sales through a competitive lottery system on their website, limiting purchases to five tickets per fan. The new secondary market extends this control by connecting fans who can no longer attend a game with buyers who missed the lottery.
According to Cole, the verified platform will operate with strict rules:
- Face value only: All tickets must be sold at their original price (between $35 and $60), with no surcharges allowed.
- Verification required: Only fans who purchased tickets directly through the team’s official channels can offer them for resale.
- No hidden costs: The team takes care of all associated fees and taxes and ensures that the price displayed is the price paid for both the buyer and the seller, unlike typical resale sites.
- Guaranteed authentication: Every ticket sold through the platform is guaranteed to be authentic, addressing the growing fraud problem.
Protecting Banana Ball Nation
By creating their own platform, the Bananas are attempting to solve one of the most persistent problems in live sports: tickets falling into the hands of professional resellers who put profit over fan experience. This won’t completely solve the problem, but it will certainly help.
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The verified resale system is expected to launch in February before the 2026 season begins. Until then, Cole urges fans to only use the club’s official channels to ensure legitimate access.
“Let’s all be Fans first and let’s win this together.”
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