Joliet Slammers Announce Big House Ballgame Tickets For Old Joliet Prison Event: Reviving 1914 Tradition

(The following press release is from Tori Zalewski of the Joliet Slammers.)

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Slammers announced that tickets for “The Big House Ballgame” will go on sale Wednesday, March 11. This Frontier League exhibition is scheduled for April 30, 2026, at the Old Joliet Prison, located at 1125 Collins St., as part of the official Route 66 Centennial Kickoff celebration.

Fans can sign up for early ticket access starting today at jolietslammers.com/bhbg. Early access buyers will be able to purchase tickets beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11. Tickets will become available to the general public at 12 p.m. on the same day.

Night Train Veeck, owner of the Joliet Slammers, said that the response to the event has been significant. Veeck said that the team has already received more than 25,000 ticket requests. “We knew this would be a special day, but seeing the level of excitement from fans across Joliet and beyond has been incredibly encouraging,” Veeck said.

The game will revive a tradition first introduced in 1914 by Warden Edmund Allen to build morale among inmates. Baseball continued at the prison for nearly a century until its closure in 2002. The Joliet Slammers and the Gateway Grizzlies of St. Louis will play within the prison walls, marking the return of baseball to the prison yard after more than two decades.

Pre-sale tickets are also available for Joliet Slammers Full Season ticket holders and Joliet Area Historical Museum members. Information on museum membership is available at jolietmuseum.org, and Slammers season tickets are detailed at jolietslammers.com.

In addition to the historic ballgame, the day’s festivities will also include pre- and post-game entertainment, including performances by Chicago blues singer Billie Branch, Joliet native Sheryl Youngblood and others.

Three ticket options are available: General Admission Yard for $15, Bleacher Seats for $38, and VIP tickets for $100. General Admission tickets allow access to the prison grounds and viewing the game on a large videoboard, with fans encouraged to bring their own seating. Bleacher seats offer direct views of the game, while VIP tickets include access to an exclusive area with food and beverage options. ADA seating is available upon request by emailing bighouseballballgame@jolietslammers.com.

General Admission Yard - $15
The general admission tickets will not have direct access to the field, but fans will have the opportunity to walk the historic prison grounds and view the game from a large videoboard directly below Tower Five inside the walls. Those with general admission yard tickets are encouraged to bring their own seating as there will be no physical seats with a general admission ticket. The General Admission Yard will also provide the best viewing for the pre- and post-game performances.

Bleacher Seats - $38
Assigned bleacher seating will be located down the first baseline and in right and left field – the perfect place to catch home runs. This section will offer fans the most direct view of the game.

VIP - $100
This includes a commemorative credential that allows access to an exclusive VIP area where fans will have a view of the field and access to all-inclusive food and beverage options. With this ticket option, you will view the game as the Warden would have.
ADA seats will be available in all ticket locations upon request and based on availability. To request ADA seating please email bighouseballgame@jolietslammers.com.