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Ticket & Attendance Watch
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Ticket & Attendance Watch
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Written by Maury Brown
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Monday, 16 April 2012 21:38 |
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It’s early, but with the weather continuing to be good to great, and optimism still abounding, ticket sales in MLB are already looking good.
Both the Rangers (last Weds) and the Brewers (on Monday) surpassed the 2 million tickets sold mark. It was the fastest that either club had done so.
In 2011, the club did not sell its two millionth ticket until May 19. The Rangers sold its two millionth ticket on August 7 in 2010. The mark set last week is the earliest that the club has reached the 2,000,000 mark since records are first available in 1999.
For the Brewers mark set on Monday, the previous record for the fastest to two million came on April 19, 2001, the first year that the team played in Miller Park. In comparison to last season when the Brewers set an all-time franchise attendance mark with nearly 3.1 million through the turnstiles, the two-million mark was reached on April 27.
“Brewers fans continue to over-deliver in every way,” said Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger. “We want to thank all of them for their incredible support."
The five fastest years of reaching two million tickets sold for the Brewers include:
- 2012 – April 16
- 2001 – April 19
- 2009 – April 21
- 2011 – April 27
- 2010 – April 29
As mentioned, the improved weather compared to last year is already playing a part for all of MLB. To date, there has been one weather related cancellation (White Sox at Indians on Tues, April 10 due to snow). Compared to last year at the same time there had already been 10 rainouts.
The league is already seeing a solid showing. As of Sunday, the league saw a total of 6,146,468 compared to 5,603,279 on the same date last year.
Source: Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, Biz of Baseball research
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 Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He writes for Baseball Prospectus and is a contributor to Forbes SportsMoney blog.. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).
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Ticket & Attendance Watch
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Written by Maury Brown
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Wednesday, 09 November 2011 11:52 |
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Fehgetaboutit! The 2011 MLB season is over, and with it those that weren’t fortunate enough to make the World Series have already begun reaching out to fans in the off-season to get them into seats when the 2012 season kicks off in April.
Two key AL East clubs have gotten an early jump on releasing ticket prices.
When you think about it, it makes sense that the Red Sox and Rays are those two clubs . The Red Sox, who saw an epic collapse (it’s ironic that the Rays were the ultimate beneficiary of the Sept. swoon by Boston), the loss of not only Terry Francona but Theo Epstein as well after the whole “chicken and beer” debacle went down, need to somehow say to fans, “That was then. 2012 will be different.”
For the Rays, their needs are more long term. Challenged on several major fronts, the team that has made the playoffs 3 out of the last 4 seasons could only muster ranking second to last in attendance last season.
Here’s how they shake out.
Red Sox Hold the Line (again) On Ticket Prices
The Boston Red Sox have said that prices for all ticket categories for the 2012 regular season at Fenway Park will be held at 2011 levels. This marks the second time in four years the team has held ticket prices as the Red Sox also froze prices across the board for the 2009 season.
This shouldn’t be a surprise. While clubs price the houses differently, touting pricing decreases, while other areas of the ballpark seeing an increase, given the turmoil in Beantown, if they weren’t going to cut prices, nothing less than the status quo would have been acceptable.
That wasn’t lost on ownership of the Red Sox.
"John Henry, Tom Werner, and the members of our Front Office spend considerable time each year discussing ticket pricing and policies for the following season, and as a group we make a concerted effort to look at our business through the prism of Red Sox fans. Over the last several years, many in Red Sox Nation have experienced economic difficulties, and every fan has gone through some trying times - particularly at the end of the 2011 season - as the team fell short of our goal of reaching the post-season," said President/CEO Larry Lucchino. "The decision to hold ticket prices next season is just one of many ways we hope to show our gratitude to Red Sox Nation in 2012 for the unfailing support they have shown at the ballpark, and for their faith in the Red Sox. It is also part of an effort we've made over the last few years to slow the growth of season ticket and individual game tickets to ensure the Fenway Park experience is a viable option for as many citizens of Red Sox Nation as possible. We are constantly impressed by our fans' love of the game and our franchise, and we hope to see them fill up Fenway Park next year as we celebrate the ballpark's special 100th anniversary season."
The first opportunity for Red Sox fans to purchase tickets for the 2012 season will be the annual, all-day "Christmas at Fenway" presented by Stop & Shop on Saturday, December 10th.
Tampa Bay Rays See Most Tickets Same, But 10% Will See Increase
After making the Rays made playoffs in dramatic fashion on the last day of the season, for the third time in four seasons the Rays announced that prices for 90 percent of their tickets will remain the same or decrease for the 2012 season. The club is continuing their 4-teir system of pricing. According to the Rays:
For 2012, there will again be four categories of single-game ticket pricing: Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver. All ticket prices for each game are subject to change at the Rays discretion. Diamond games are all Friday, Saturday and Sunday games versus the Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves and Yankees (including Opening Day). Platinum games include Monday through Thursday games versus the Yankees and Red Sox.
Those increases will show up as $1 to $2 for select seats in the lower box and some outfield seats.
"Our on-field accomplishments over the past four seasons have provided some memorable moments for our fans. Just as important to us is that our ticket prices have remained among the most affordable in all of professional sports," said Rays President Matt Silverman. "Our ticket options for 2012 will again be aimed at making the ballpark experience affordable for families."
Upper Deck seats will cost as little as $9 for 28 of the Rays home games in 2012. The Rays tout that overall, more than one million tickets will be priced at $25 or less.
In addition, the Rays will make an adjustment to weekday game times at Tropicana Field next season. All Monday through Friday games will start at 7:10 p.m., with the exception of 12 weekday day games including three dates against the New York Yankees: Opening Day, April 6 at 3:10 p.m.; Independence Day, July 4 at 3:10 p.m.; and Labor Day, September 3 at 1:10 p.m. Saturday game times will be announced at a later date and Sundays will remain at 1:40 p.m.
Gold games include the remaining Friday, Saturday and Sunday games, as well as a featured series versus the New York Mets (Tuesday, June 12 - Thursday, June 14). Silver games include the remaining weekday games in which both Upper Box and Upper Reserved seats will be $9.
One thing you have to tip the hat to the Rays to: They will continue to the policy of allowing fans to bring food and select beverages into the ballpark and free parking for carpoolers.
Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey, and is a contributor to Forbes SportsMoney blog.. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).
Follow Maury Brown on Twitter
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Ticket & Attendance Watch
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Written by Maury Brown
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Friday, 07 October 2011 00:00 |
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Yes, it’s already been a competitive postseason. While the Rays got only pulled off one win against the Rangers, the 2011 Division Series will have 19 out of a possible 20 games played, marking the most games played in the opening round since its inception in 1995. In addition, three Division Series will play a decisive fifth game for just the second time in Division Series history, joining 2001. The previous record of 18 Division Series games played occurred in 2001 and 2003.
With the Tigers beating the Yankees tonight to advance to the ALCS against the Rangers, Major League Baseball has drawn 764,950 in paid attendance through 17 games during the 2011 Division Series (Game 5 between the Tigers and Yankees drew 50,960 on Thursday night), which is on pace to become the second-highest attended Division Series in history and the fourth to eclipse the 800,000 mark. The all-time Division Series attendance record of 884,897 fans was set in 2003, while the total of 800,000 was also topped in 2001 (846,112) and 2004 (842,571).
Commissioner Selig was quick to jump on the news.
“Major League Baseball continues to build upon a remarkable regular season with four Division Series that have provided many unforgettable moments,” said Selig. “The competitiveness of our sport has never been more evident than it is now and all of us at Baseball join the fans in their excitement as the dramatic opening round comes to a close.”
The American League Championship Series between the Tigers and Yankees will be covered by FOX Sports, will begin on Saturday, October 8th and a Game Seven, if necessary, is scheduled for Sunday, October 16th. The National League Championship Series, to be covered by TBS, will start on Sunday, October 9th and a Game Seven, if necessary, is scheduled for Monday, October 17th.
Game One of the 2011 World Series is scheduled for Wednesday, October 19th. Game Three of the 2011 Fall Classic will move to the city of the American League Champions on Saturday, October 22nd. A Game Seven of the World Series is scheduled for Thursday, October 27th. Friday, October 21st and Tuesday, October 25th are the scheduled off days during the World Series. In its 16th season as the official network broadcaster of Major League Baseball, FOX Sports will present exclusive live telecast coverage of the World Series.
Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey, and is a contributor to Forbes SportsMoney blog.. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).
Follow Maury Brown on Twitter
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Ticket & Attendance Watch
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Written by Maury Brown
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Tuesday, 27 September 2011 08:54 |
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 It’s an amazing transformation. The team long ago named the Seattle Pilots who Bud Selig purchased and moved to baseball’s smallest market is an attendance hit.
The Milwaukee Brewers announced yesterday that the Club has established a new single-season franchise attendance record in 2011. As of 10 a.m. Monday, the Brewers had sold 3,068,781 tickets for the Club’s 81-game home schedule, surpassing the previous record of 3,068,458 in 2008.
The Brewers average attendance currently ranks seventh in Major League Baseball and fourth in the National League.
To put that in perspective, the Brewers drew 2,811,041 in the inaugural season Miller Park when the honeymoon for new ballparks is high and attendance spikes.
And, it’s not just the regular season attendance wave that the Brewers are riding. The Club informs The Biz of Baseball that over 200,000 non-season ticket holders applied for postseason tickets meaning every playoff game is ostensibly sold out.
“As our Brewers players continue a record-setting season on the field, our fans have given us the advantage in the stands to help secure our first ever National League Central Division Championship,” said Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger. “We thank the fans for their incredible support throughout the season and look forward to creating many special memories in October.”
The Milwaukee–Racine–Waukesha Metropolitan Area has a population of 1,751,316 as of 2010, or about 1 million less than the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater market.
Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey, and is a contributor to Forbes SportsMoney blog.. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).
Follow Maury Brown on Twitter
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Ticket & Attendance Watch
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Written by Maury Brown
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Wednesday, 07 September 2011 08:38 |
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For fans of Major League Baseball this season, along with the boxscores you’ve had to become one part weatherman. The beginning of the 2011 season was hit hard with rainouts, and as the season begins to enter its final stretch, the weather is once again playing a factor.
In fact, 2011 is threatening to have more rainouts than at any point in the last decade. How does this season stack up compared to others?
So far, there have been 48 rainouts on the season. That places it second only to 2004 when there were 50. Here’s how rainouts over the last 10 complete seasons stack up compared to 2011:
2011 – 48 *
2010 - 20
2009 – 36
2008 – 36
2007 – 33
2006 – 31
2005 – 26
2004 – 50
2003 – 44
2002 – 32
2001 – 17
2000 – 45
* As of 9/7/2011
Source: Major League Baseball
Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey, and is a contributor to Forbes SportsMoney blog.. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).
Follow Maury Brown on Twitter
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Ticket & Attendance Watch
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Written by Maury Brown
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Friday, 02 September 2011 21:40 |
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 With a sell-out in this evening’s game against the Texas Rangers, the Boston Red Sox reached their 700 consecutive regular season game sell-outs at Fenway Park, extending their record of most consecutive sell-outs in baseball history.
The previous Major League Baseball record of 455, set by the Cleveland Indians between 1995-2001, was surpassed by Red Sox fans on September 8, 2008. Fenway Park seats 37,373 while Progressive Field, or as it was called before during the sellout streak in Cleveland, Jacobs Field, seats 43,545. The record streak by the Red Sox began on May 15, 2003, in the second year of the current ownership group.
"Reaching 700 consecutive sell-outs is a lesson for us all to never underestimate what the passion of Red Sox Nation can achieve," said John Henry, Principal Owner. "Our fans have demonstrated unwavering loyalty and support from the stands at Fenway Park every day of the regular season for more than eight years, and everyone in the organization is grateful for their steadfast dedication."
"It is a number that at one time might have been considered unattainable, but our fans proved that 700 sell-outs was a possible milestone to reach. It is a testament to the dedication they have for the game, for the team, and for the ballpark," said Tom Werner, Chairman. "As stewards of this franchise, we will continue to work hard to earn the support of our fan base, which is something we will never take for granted."
"Red Sox Nation gives our players and coaches a distinct competitive advantage in home games by creating a sell-out atmosphere unmatched in any other ballpark,” said Larry Lucchino, President/CEO. “We are grateful for their knowledge, their passion, and their love of the Red Sox and for the game of baseball."
The Red Sox players and coaches recognized the fans of Red Sox Nation for their significant accomplishment during the 5th inning by coming out of the dugout and tipping their caps to the crowd. A video fan tribute produced by Red Sox Video Productions was also played on the videoboard between the 5th and 6th innings. Each fan will receive a special 700th game commemorative baseball as they exit the ballpark after the game. The team also gave fans commemorative baseballs when they reached the 500th consecutive sell-out mark on June 17, 2009, and the 600th consecutive sell-out mark on July 18, 2010.
LONGEST RECORDED REGULAR SEASON SELL-OUT STREAKS IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
No. Team Years
700* Boston Red Sox 2003-2011
455 Cleveland Indians 1995-2001
203 Colorado Rockies 1995-1997
LONGEST RECORDED REGULAR SEASON SELL-OUT STREAKS IN AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS HISTORY
No. Team Years
744 Portland Trailblazers (NBA) 1977-1995
700* Boston Red Sox (MLB) 2003-2011
407 Colorado Avalanche (NHL) 1995-2006
* Active Sell-out Streak
Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey, and is a contributor to Forbes SportsMoney blog.. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).
Follow Maury Brown on Twitter
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Ticket & Attendance Watch
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Written by Maury Brown
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Friday, 02 September 2011 08:36 |
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“Do you still love me?”
That may be something rattling around Stephen Strasburg’s head. The pitching phenom of the Washington Nationals took the league by storm last year when he debuted with electric stuff and velocity that stayed within 3 digits for several innings.
But that all came crashing down when on Aug 20 of last year, it was announced that Strasburgh had a significant tear in his ulnar collateral ligament, needed Tommy John surgery, and would miss most, if not all, of the 2011 season.
But, Strasburg has been on track to return to the Bigs, allowing 1 hit over 6 IP Thursday night for Double-A Harrisburg in what was expected to be his final minor league rehab start before he returns to the Washington Nationals.
His expected start will be at National Park on Tuesday when the Dodgers come to visit where he is scheduled to face Ted Lily.
How have ticket sales been for Strasburg’s return?
According to SeatGeek.com, there has been a jump in Nationals prices from $30 to $57 for the second game of the Dodgers series on 9/7. The entire series is averaging $39 but SeatGeek says they are expecting to see even more movement and demand over the next few days. Nationals tickets are averaging $40 this season, a $2 drop from last season, placing them in #20 across the entire MLB this year. You can also see Nationals price data here.
So, love appears to be returning to a club that is in dire need of it. If Strasburg avoids the injury bug, and Bryce Harper can stay on track, 2012 should be what Nationals fans had hoped 2011 was supposed to be.
Source: SeatGeek
Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey, and is a contributor to Forbes SportsMoney blog.. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).
Follow Maury Brown on Twitter
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Ticket & Attendance Watch
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Written by Maury Brown
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Wednesday, 31 August 2011 08:51 |
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 Go through a short stretch of winning while being in a position where you haven’t raised ticket prices in nearly a decade, and it adds up to time to take advantage.
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced details of their 2012 ticket pricing yesterday in which they will be raising prices for the first time since 2002. That is the current longest stretch of any club in Major League Baseball.
For one, premium seating behind home plate will see a sizeable jump. The “Lexus Club” seats ran $160-$210 in 2011. Next season, those same seats will cost between $180-$225 for single game, in advance. The “Pittsburgh Baseball Club” seats jump from $47-$52 to $50-$55 for single game, in advance
All in all, ticket prices at PNC Park went up across the board.
"We compete in a much different economic landscape than the one that existed nine years ago and we are committed to making the investments required to continue to build a winning team," said Pirates President Frank Coonelly. "The great support from our fans this season has allowed us to increase our investments in the Club. We will continue to reinvest our resources in our team, as we did with the recent acquisitions made at the trade deadline, our recent draft signings and the extension of Jose Tabata."
"We particularly appreciate the loyal support of our season ticket holders. They have been with us through the hard times. As a result, we have held season ticket prices to the smallest increases, thus resulting in even larger savings off the individual prices than in previous seasons," said Coonelly. Full season plan holders will receive a savings between 14-percent and 50-percent off of the individual ticket price, and an average savings of 27-percent.
"We also ensured that Pirates baseball remains a tremendous value for families by keeping more than a third of the ballpark priced at $20 or less for individual ticket buyers, including some seats as low as $10," said Coonelly.
In 2012, a family of four can sit in the upper grandstand between the bases for a total of only $32 ($10 for each adult ticket and $6 for each kid priced ticket), which is $20 less than those same seats cost in 2011 ($16 for adults and $10 for kids ticket).
"For full season ticket buyers, more than 50-percent of our tickets are priced at less than $20 per ticket, while more than 30-percent of our seats can be purchased for less than $10 per ticket," Coonelly added.
SELECT READ MORE TO SEE THE 2012 TICKET PRICES COMPARED TO THIS SEASON FOR THE PIRATES
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