KNOXVILLE - During his weekly update today, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs talked about two major events that Visit Knoxville helped bring to our area; the Tennessee County Services Association’s fall conference; and the federal government shutdown’s impact on Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“Visit Knoxville is on fire, y’all, making two big announcements this week,” Mayor Jacobs says. “First, Luke Combs will be performing at Neyland Stadium on May 2, 2026. Combs is a multi-platinum artist and two-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year . . . . This is the third massive country music concert to come to Neyland over the past several years following Garth Brooks and Morgan Wallen.”

Visit Knoxville also announced that the Savannah Bananas will be coming to Knox County on Memorial Day weekend next year. The Bananas will be facing the Texas Tailgaters at Covenant Health Park on Thursday, May 21, then at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, May 23.

“If you haven’t seen Banana Ball, you are in for a treat,” Mayor Jacobs says. “It’s baseball with a twist, delivering a high-octane and entertainment-packed game that keeps both players and fans on their toes. Banana Ball has 11 unique rules. The most notorious rule is that if a fan catches a foul ball, it counts as an out.”

Mayor Jacobs notes that with these announcements, and the BassMaster Classic – the SuperBowl of pro bass fishing – returning to Knox County next year, 2026 will be a banner year for entertainment and events, solidifying Knox County’s standing as one of the Southeast’s top entertainment destinations.

Speaking of destinations, thanks to a number of partnerships that range from local, state, and federal governments to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the nonprofit Friends of the Smokies, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park recently reopened and continues to welcome visitors despite the federal government's partial shutdown, Mayor Jacobs adds.

“The Park is a vital tourism attraction and economic driver for our region, and I greatly appreciate everyone who is working hard to make sure it remains open,” he says.