“To sell volume, it must be affordable. So that’s my whole life, making it affordable.” – Australian developer Harry Triguboff
Perhaps in Australia apartment rental prices can be reduced by building lots of them. In stadiums across North America, a variation on that theme is at play. If a team wants more fans to attend games, it keeps prices affordable.
It makes sense. At least on the surface.
While this axiom is true in Arizona and Florida, this formula does not seem to apply on the northeast or west coast. There, the price to attend a game is high, but fans still show up anyway.
But how do you know which parks are the most affordable to visit?
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It turns out that a company called Team Marketing Report does precisely that type of research. Its Fan Cost Index (FCI) database dates back to 1991, when the most expensive place to attend a major league game was Toronto. It cost a family of four an average of $93.29 to watch the Blue Jays that year.
Last year, the cheapest place to see a game was Chase Field, where a family of four spent $170.09 to see the National League champion Diamondbacks.
Talk about inflation!
One might assume that the Oakland Athletics, the outgoing franchise moving after this season, would be among the most affordable. Not so. They are in the middle of the pack, with their FCI coming in at $260.02, which is the 16th most expensive.
Chris Hartweg publishes the FCI of all teams in various professional sports. Many things go into his research, including the average price of tickets, parking, beer, soda, hot dogs and a hat. The resulting FCI for a venue represents the average cost for a family of four to attend a game.
Their 2023 findings helped us select our rankings, because 2024 is not yet compiled. We evaluated those findings along with special tickets and team promotions this season to come up with our rankings. Thanks to Hartweg for allowing us to share his research with our readers!
So here’s our ranking of the eight most affordable major league parks for 2024.
It’s not much of a spoiler to let you know that none of the eight are in New York, Chicago, or Boston. As Colin Cushing of Washington, DC, says: “Yankee Stadium is exorbitantly priced and it took us two full tickets to get a beer and a dog. Ridiculous.”
By the way, the Yankees’ FCI of $376.54 is second only to the Red Sox’s at $396.16.
1. Chase Field – Arizona Diamondbacks
It’s not surprising, since last year was the 15th consecutive season that Diamondbacks fans paid less to attend games, even though their FCI increased 11.7% from the previous year. Interestingly, the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, whose home is in the western suburbs of Phoenix, have the most affordable venue in the NFL… although the cost for a family to attend a football game there is $513.14, in compared to $170.09 for the D-backs.
2. loadDepot Park – Miami Marlins
The Marlins actually have the lowest average ticket price in the Major Leagues, priced at $22.98. In fact, its FCI of $184.90 was down a bit from a year ago. If you go on a Friday, Budweisers are $5 for the entire game.
3. Great American Ball Park – Cincinnati Reds
With exciting young talent and affordability, why wouldn’t you want to attend a game on the banks of the Ohio River? On Thursdays, there is a $30 ticket that gets you a seat in the box and a $10 concession voucher.
4. Tropicana Field – Tampa Bay Rays
The always competitive but poorly attended Rays emphasize affordability, with seats near the left field corner costing just $10. The FCI for Rays games is $205.01.
5. Coors Field – Colorado Rocky Mountains
Be on the lookout for special ticket deals for “HotRox,” where seats are just $7.99. Like other MLB teams, the Rockies have launched a ticket plan where if you pay $39.99 a month, you’ll get a “Ballpark Pass” that gives you lounge access to every home game of that game. month. Take the month of August, for example. There are 15 home games at Coors Field, so if you use your “pass” to attend them all, each game will cost you just $2.67.
6. PNC Park – Pittsburgh Pirates
The future is very bright for the Pirates, who are suddenly strong in shooting. Why not invest in a 10-ticket “flex plan” for $259 that gets you one to ten seats to almost any game? Use it when you decide. Plus, you’ll be in an elite stadium with the best view of the sport.
7. Comerica Park – Detroit Tigers
Look out for giveaways on Saturdays: hats, shirts, beach towels, sunglasses, dolls and more. The Tigers also have one of the lowest average ticket prices in the Major Leagues. The FCI sets it at $26.84, with a total cost for a family of four to attend a match at $224.74.
8. Rogers Center – Toronto Blue Jays
There’s a lot to like here, especially the redeveloped grounds with group social spaces, new foods (can you believe poutine on a hot dog?), and $20 Canadian “Outfield District All In” tickets that let you sit in the bleachers inches away. away. the visitors’ bullpen. Be there when the doors open to get a spot in the front row!
About Joe Mock: Joe has surveyed all 30 Major League parks, all 23 spring training parks, and all 119 affiliated Minor League parks, plus many college and independent league facilities. He covers sports facilities for KeynoteUSA publications and has operated BaseballParks.com since 1997. There he has published nearly 100 in-depth reviews of professional parks that have opened in the last quarter century. His experience at the stadium has earned him appearances on the Travel Channel and the History Channel. Canfollow his stadium escapades in X @baseballparks.
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