Extra Innings
Photography by Lily Cruse
EXTRA INNINGS 2026 WAS A HOME RUN!
Extra Innings Festival returned to Tempe Beach Park in Tempe, Arizona, on February 27 and 28, 2026, bringing together two days of live music and baseball culture in the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Combining a country-focused lineup with appearances from Major League Baseball legends, the festival offered an experience that extended beyond the music, connecting fans of country music and America’s pastime in one outdoor setting. With more than 20 artists featured across two main stages, the event brought an array of established headliners, rising performers, and acts spanning country, Americana, and roots rock to the Arizona waterfront.
Friday’s lineup was headlined by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, with additional performances from Brothers Osborne, Muscadine Bloodline, Bret Michaels, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, The Brudi Brothers, Lola Kirke, and Ian Harrison. Saturday featured headlining sets from Kane Brown and HARDY, alongside Shaboozey, Jessie Murph, 49 Winchester, Noeline Hofmann, Colby Acuff, Laci Kaye Booth, and Cole Phillips. The two-day schedule brought together artists with varied musical influences, creating a lineup that balanced mainstream country favorites with alternative country and roots-oriented sounds.
Beyond the stages, Extra Innings incorporated baseball-themed experiences that reflected its connection to Arizona’s annual Spring Training season. Fans had opportunities to interact with former Major League Baseball players, including Darryl Strawberry, Kerry Wood, Jake Peavy, and Ryan Dempster, adding a sports component to the festival atmosphere. The combination of live music, baseball personalities, and outdoor entertainment gave the event a distinctive identity within Arizona’s busy spring festival calendar.
Located along the Tempe Town Lake waterfront, Tempe Beach Park provided an open-air setting for the two-day event, with the surrounding downtown district offering access to restaurants, bars, hotels, and public transportation. Its central location and scenic waterfront environment made it a fitting venue for a festival built around both music and sports. By bringing country artists and baseball legends together in one location, Extra Innings Festival 2026 continued to build on its concept of combining live entertainment with the excitement of Spring Training season.
February 27
Luke Bryan brought his signature country sound and high-energy stage presence to Extra Innings Festival 2026 on Friday, February 27, headlining the Home Plate Stage at Tempe Beach Park in Tempe, Arizona. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Bryan has become one of country music’s biggest names, known for blending upbeat party anthems with heartfelt ballads. His set opened with “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” before moving through a catalog of fan favorites, including “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” “Kick the Dust Up,” “Crash My Party,” and “Play It Again.” The performance showcased the hits that have defined his career while keeping the crowd engaged throughout the night.
One of the evening’s standout moments came during “One Margarita,” when Bryan brought a comically oversized margarita onstage and handed it to a fan, adding a playful touch to the set. He later slowed the pace for a piano segment that included “Buy Dirt,” his collaboration with Jordan Davis, and “Do I,” before returning to the upbeat hits that have become staples of his live shows. Closing with crowd favorites such as “That’s My Kind of Night” and “Country Girl (Shake It for Me),” Bryan delivered a set that balanced singalong moments, humor, and country anthems. His headlining performance helped set the tone for the first night of Extra Innings Festival, which combines live music with baseball-themed activities and appearances from Major League Baseball legends.
Dierks Bentley brought his signature blend of country anthems, heartfelt storytelling, and energetic showmanship to Extra Innings Festival 2026 in Tempe, Arizona, on Saturday, February 28. As one of the festival’s headliners at Tempe Beach Park, Bentley delivered a set that showcased the hits and musical personality that have made him a longtime favorite among country fans. His performance featured songs including “I Hold On,” “Gold,” “Drunk on a Plane,” and “Somewhere on a Beach,” giving the crowd a mix of reflective country songwriting and upbeat favorites. With his natural stage presence and easygoing sense of humor, Bentley kept the audience entertained throughout his set, bringing the kind of lively atmosphere that suited the festival’s outdoor setting.
The performance also featured a change of pace when Bentley brought out his comedic country alter ego, Hot Country Knights, for a medley of recognizable favorites. The group performed “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” “Friends in Low Places,” “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!,” and “Two Dozen Roses,” adding a playful twist to the evening. The medley highlighted Bentley’s entertaining side and willingness to embrace humor alongside his established catalog. With a set that moved between fan favorites and lighthearted surprises, Bentley delivered a memorable headlining appearance at Extra Innings Festival, adding another standout country performance to the two-day event.
Brothers Osborne brought their signature blend of Southern rock and country to Extra Innings Festival 2026 in Tempe, Arizona, delivering a commanding set driven by powerful vocals and electrifying guitar work. The Maryland-born duo, made up of brothers TJ Osborne and John Osborne, showcased the chemistry that has made them a standout act in contemporary country music. TJ’s powerhouse vocals paired with John’s impressive guitar skills gave the performance a gritty, energetic sound. Songs including “Stay a Little Longer,” “It Ain’t My Fault,” and “21 Summer” highlighted the duo’s catalog and kept the crowd engaged throughout their set.
The brothers also incorporated covers of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” and Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “Three Little Birds,” adding unexpected moments to the performance. Other selections, including “Shoot Me Straight,” “Rum,” and “I’m Not for Everyone,” maintained the guitar-driven energy that has become a hallmark of their live shows. With commanding musicianship and a set balancing fan favorites with familiar covers, Brothers Osborne delivered a memorable appearance on February 27, adding a dose of Southern rock to the opening day of Extra Innings Festival.
Bret Michaels brought his signature arena-rock energy to Extra Innings Festival 2026 in Tempe, Arizona, delivering a set filled with hard-rock anthems and fan favorites. Best known as the lead singer of Poison, Michaels has spent decades building a career defined by infectious hooks, glam-metal style, and commanding stage presence. His solo performance at Tempe Beach Park showcased the music that helped establish Poison as one of the defining rock bands of the 1980s. Sporting his signature bandanna and engaging directly with the audience, Michaels brought a lively rock atmosphere to the festival’s lineup.
Throughout the set, Michaels revisited Poison classics including “Talk Dirty to Me,” “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” and “Nothin’ but a Good Time.” The familiar choruses prompted enthusiastic crowd participation, while the mix of hard-driving tracks and power ballads kept the performance moving. His appearance added a rock-focused element to Extra Innings Festival’s diverse lineup, offering fans a change of pace from the weekend’s country performances. With recognizable hits and an energetic delivery, Michaels gave the Tempe audience a set centered on the songs that have defined his career.
February 28TH
Hardy brought his hard-hitting blend of country, rock, and Southern grit to Extra Innings Festival 2026 on Saturday, February 28, at Tempe Beach Park in Tempe, Arizona. Known for combining heavy guitar riffs, raw vocals, and unapologetic songwriting, HARDY has carved out a distinct place in contemporary country music as both a chart-topping artist and an accomplished songwriter. His music draws from the intensity of rock while retaining the storytelling and attitude of country, creating a sound that resonates with fans across both genres. His appearance added a powerful dose of country rock to the festival’s second day.
HARDY’s set featured a mix of fan favorites and heavier, rock-influenced tracks, including “COUNTRY COUNTRY,” “UNAPOLOGETICALLY COUNTRY AS HELL,” “JACK,” and “BOOTS.” He also performed “ONE BEER,” “GIVE HEAVEN SOME HELL,” and “wait in the truck,” his collaboration with Lainey Wilson, bringing some of his most recognizable songs to the stage. The energy continued with “PSYCHO,” his take on Blake Shelton’s “God’s Country,” and “SOLD OUT.” For the encore, HARDY closed with “JIM BOB,” “REDNECKER,” and “TRUCK BED,” ending his appearance with the rowdy, guitar-driven sound that has become a defining feature of his live shows. His performance delivered a forceful highlight during the festival’s Saturday lineup.
Jessie Murph brought her emotionally charged vocals and genre-blending sound to Extra Innings Festival 2026 in Tempe, Arizona. Known for combining country, pop, hip-hop, and alternative influences, Murph has built a following through her candid songwriting and unfiltered approach to themes of heartbreak, personal struggles, and self-discovery. Her distinctive voice and willingness to explore vulnerable subject matter have helped establish her as a rising artist whose music moves between contemporary country and pop. At Tempe Beach Park, she brought that intensity to the festival stage, captivating the crowd with her commanding vocals and moody stage atmosphere.
Throughout her set, Murph performed songs including “Touch Me Like a Gangster,” “Heroin,” “Bad as the Rest,” “Blue Strips,” and “1965,” highlighting material from her album Sex Hysteria. She also performed “How Could You,” revisiting the 2022 track that helped introduce her emotionally raw songwriting to a wider audience. The set moved between darker, atmospheric moments and more forceful performances, allowing her vocals and deeply personal lyrics to take center stage. With a sound that resists being confined to a single genre, Murph added a distinctive perspective to Extra Innings Festival’s lineup, showcasing the crossover between country and contemporary pop.
Laci Kaye Booth brought her dreamy vocals and modern country sound to Extra Innings Festival 2026 in Tempe, Arizona, showcasing the blend of country storytelling, pop influences, and atmospheric production that defines her music. First gaining national attention as a finalist on American Idol in 2019, Booth has since developed an artistic identity rooted in emotional honesty, vintage-inspired aesthetics, and intimate songwriting. Her music often explores love, heartbreak, and the complicated emotions that accompany relationships, pairing her airy vocal delivery with a contemporary sound that distinguishes her within the country genre. Her appearance at Tempe Beach Park offered festivalgoers an opportunity to experience her distinctive style in a live setting.
Her set featured songs including “The Loneliest Girl in the World,” “Daddy’s Mugshot,” “Since 1995,” and “Sometimes,” highlighting her ability to pair vulnerable storytelling with a polished country sound. Booth also performed a cover of The Cranberries’ “Linger,” reimagining the alternative-rock favorite through her own musical perspective. Other selections, including “Cigarettes,” “Damn Good in a Dive Bar,” and “Luck of the Draw,” showcased the emotional depth and personal storytelling at the heart of her catalog. Her performance added a more intimate, atmospheric moment to Extra Innings Festival’s lineup, highlighting the range of contemporary artists featured throughout the weekend.
Beyond the Music
Extra Innings Festival 2026 featured a variety of brand partnerships that contributed to different aspects of the attendee experience, from hospitality and guest services to baseball-inspired entertainment. Club Wyndham created the Club Wyndham Outfield Lounge, a shaded retreat where festivalgoers could rest between performances, pick up complimentary merchandise, participate in backyard-style games, and explore the brand’s owner amenities. Allianz focused on attendee support as the sponsor of the main Guest Services tent near the entrance, providing a central point for questions, assistance, and the festival’s digitally connected Lost & Found service. Meanwhile, Sloan served as the presenting sponsor of Left Field, supporting a dedicated space for baseball-themed interactive experiences that connected the festival’s programming with the spirit of Spring Training.
Other partners contributed through distinct brand and beverage experiences. Tito’s Handmade Vodka featured branded apparel and signature cocktail offerings, bringing its identity into the festival’s beverage and merchandise experience. Chase, Ghost Energy, and BeatBox also had a presence on the grounds, contributing additional branded experiences and beverage options for attendees. Together, these partnerships served different purposes across the festival, with Club Wyndham emphasizing relaxation, Allianz providing guest assistance, Sloan reinforcing the baseball theme, and beverage and lifestyle brands connecting with fans through products and on-site experiences.
