Joliet Slammers Baseball Team Historic Exhibition – Centennial Kick-off Celebration at Old Joliet Prison

The Joliet Area Historical Museum, in coordination with the City of Joliet, announced today that the Joliet Slammers will take the field for a one-of-a-kind Frontier League exhibition game inside the walls of the Old Joliet Prison (1125 Collins St.) on April 30, 2026 as part of the official Route 66 Centennial Kickoff celebration. The event, dubbed “The Big House Ballgame,” will bring professional baseball to a historic venue where inmates played regular games dating back to the early 20th century. To join the waitlist for tickets, or to inquire about partnership opportunities, visit jolietslammers.com/bhbg or email bighouseballgame@jolietslammers.com.

“The Big House Ballgame,” supported locally by Will County Government, Heritage Corridor Destinations, and Sportsfields Inc., will serve as the official kickoff to a full slate of programs, exhibitions and community-wide activities planned throughout the city. Joliet’s centennial initiatives will highlight the city’s role as Illinois’ gateway to Route 66, inviting residents and visitors to explore its historic landmarks, cultural attractions and evolving downtown. The event will set the tone for a memorable year of honoring Joliet’s past while showcasing the excitement and momentum shaping its future.

“‘The Big House Ballgame’ is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate Joliet’s unique history while connecting it to the broader story of Route 66,” said Greg Peerbolte, CEO of the Joliet Area Historical Museum. “We’re eager to welcome Slammers fans and history buffs alike to the prison yard’s diamond, offering visitors a chance to experience both America’s pastime and our city’s remarkable heritage in a single, unforgettable event.”

Set against the unmistakable limestone walls and guard towers of Old Joliet Prison (which was built before the Civil War), “The Big House Ballgame” revives a storied tradition. Organized baseball was first introduced at the prison in 1914 by Warden Edmund Allen as a way to build morale among the inmates and promote good behavior. The pastime continued as a tradition for nearly a century until the prison’s closure in 2002 and remains one of the most enduring pieces of its cultural legacy.

“’The Big House Ballgame’ is exactly the kind of event that gets us fired up as a team,” said Night Train Veeck, Owner of the Joliet Slammers. “We love being a part of these special moments that bring people together, surprise them a little, and give them a memory they’ll be talking about for a long time. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the Route 66 Centennial, Joliet’s storied history and Slammers Opening Week.”

“This event will serve as a historic celebration of Will County and Joliet’s lasting legacy on Route 66 as we commemorate both its centennial and Will County’s 190th anniversary,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “There is no better way to spotlight the critical role that Route 66 played in our national story than a historic game of America’s pastime right in the middle of the heartland. We appreciate the vision and collaboration of everyone who is making this exciting event a reality.”

Joliet is one of six communities nationwide designated as an official state satellite city for the Route 66 Centennial Kickoff, alongside Santa Monica, CA; Albuquerque, NM; Amarillo, TX; Springfield, MO; and St. Louis, MO, all of which are hosting special events on April 30 in celebration of Route 66’s “name day” exactly 100 years after the historic highway officially received its name.

“Joliet is a city with a remarkable history and a bright future, and the ‘Big House Ballgame’ brings both of those stories together,” said Mayor of Joliet Terry D’Arcy. “As a destination city along historic Route 66, we’re honored to open our doors to welcome visitors and share the progress and possibilities emerging in our city.”

“The Big House Ball Game” is planned and produced under the supervision of the Joliet Area Historical Museum, known for its work preserving and interpreting the region’s rich cultural, architectural and industrial heritage. The Joliet Historical Museum is the nonprofit steward of the Old Joliet Prison Historic Site, which since reopening for tours in 2018 has become one of Illinois’ most sought-after historic destinations.

UPDATED TICKET INFO:

Tickets will go on sale for “The Big House Ballgame” on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. This historic Frontier League exhibition will take place at the Old Joliet Prison (1125 Collins St.) on April 30, 2026 as part of the official Route 66 Centennial Kickoff celebration. Fans can sign up for early ticket access starting 2/24/26 at jolietslammers.com/bhbg. Early access buyers will be able to purchase tickets starting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, with tickets becoming available to the general public at 12 p.m. that same day.

“The response to ‘The Big House Ballgame’ has been unlike anything we could have imagined – we’ve already received more than 25,000 ticket requests,” said Night Train Veeck, Owner of the Joliet Slammers. “We knew this would be a special day, but seeing the level of excitement from fans across Joliet and beyond has been incredibly encouraging. People want to be part of something historic. We wish we could welcome everyone, but the fact is, we’re building a temporary stadium inside a prison, so our capacity is very limited. I recommend fans sign up for early access for the best chance at getting tickets.”

A limited number of pre-sale tickets will also be available starting today for Joliet Slammers Full Season ticket holders and Joliet Area Historical Museum members. For information about becoming a Joliet Area Historical Museum member, visit jolietmuseum.org. For information on Joliet Slammers Season Tickets, visit jolietslammers.com.

Set against the unmistakable limestone walls and guard towers of Old Joliet Prison (which was built before the Civil War), “The Big House Ballgame” revives a storied tradition. Organized baseball was first introduced at the prison in 1914 by Warden Edmund Allen as a way to build morale among the inmates and promote good behavior. The pastime continued as a tradition for nearly a century until the prison’s closure in 2002 and remains one of the most enduring pieces of its cultural legacy. The Joliet Slammers and Gateway Grizzlies of St. Louis will be facing off within the prison walls for a one-of-a-kind Frontier League exhibition game, welcoming baseball into the prison yard diamond for the first time in more than two decades.

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.

There will be three ticket options available for “The Big House Ballgame”:

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.

About the Old Joliet Prison
Originally established in 1858 as the Illinois State Penitentiary, the Old Joliet Prison Historic Site is one of America’s most recognizable penal institutions, constructed from locally quarried limestone and in operation for nearly 150 years until its closure in 2002. The site is preserved and activated as a historic destination in partnership between City of Joliet and the Joliet Area Historical Museum (JAHM). The iconic prison has appeared in numerous films and television series, including The Blues Brothers (1980) and Prison Break (2006), and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2023. For more info, visit jolietprison.org.

About The Joliet Slammers
The Joliet Slammers play in downtown Joliet, Illinois, and are members of the professional, independent Frontier League. The Frontier League is the largest MLB Partner League with 18 teams spanning from the Mississippi River to the East Coast. Visit the Slammers online at jolietslammers.com or call the ticket office at 815-722-2287 for more information.