River Cats open 2026 national anthem auditions at Sutter Health Park

The Sacramento River Cats announced earlier this week that they will hold open auditions for National Anthem performers for the 2026 season, with live tryouts scheduled for the evening of Feb. 17 at Sutter Health Park. The call opens the stadium’s game-night spotlight to soloists and instrumentalists from across the region and funnels local talent into the team’s fan-facing ceremonies.

Interested performers must submit an audition demo by Friday, Jan. 30. All demos must be an a cappella version or original performance of the Star-Spangled Banner, sung in full with clear, consistent, and correct lyrics, and the full performance must not exceed 90 seconds. Demos received past the Jan. 30 deadline will not be considered, and submissions that do not meet the stated requirements will be automatically rejected. To apply, singers should email an mp3 or YouTube link to [email protected] with the subject line "2026 National Anthem Demo" and include a name, phone number and email address in the body of the message.

From the pool of demos, the River Cats will invite the top submissions to perform live at Sutter Health Park on Feb. 17. Because of the expected volume of applicants, only those selected for in-person auditions will be contacted; selected performers will be notified the week of Feb. 9 with further instructions.

For fans and performers alike, the initiative is more than a one-night audition. In-game anthem performances are a ritual that bookends the pregame buzz and can provide a moment of exposure for local artists in front of dedicated crowds. For the club, open auditions are a low-cost, high-engagement way to deepen community ties, diversify on-field entertainment, and give supporters a sense of ownership over the ballpark experience.

This move reflects a broader industry trend in minor-league and independent baseball toward greater community involvement in game presentation. Teams are increasingly turning to local talent and interactive activations to create authentic home-game atmospheres, strengthen grassroots marketing, and generate social-media-ready moments that amplify the club’s reach.

Socially, opening the anthem mic to a wide array of singers and instrumentalists can elevate underrepresented voices and offer a platform for cultural expression within the fanbase. For performers, a successful audition can lead to repeated appearances and the unparalleled visibility of singing before a live baseball crowd.

For anyone who has ever wanted to sing before the first pitch, the clock is ticking: get your demo in by Jan. 30, watch for notification the week of Feb. 9, and, if invited, bring your best 90 seconds to Sutter Health Park on Feb. 17.