Ticket Prices and Attendance, 1994-96

Ticket Prices and Attendance, 1994-96

Here's a different look at ticket prices and attendance. Each team's data is presented as a percentage of the major league average: a figure of 110 represents ticket prices or attendance 10% above average, while 90 represents below-average numbers. This chart reveals which clubs draw well despite high prices (Atlanta, Baltimore, Toronto); which keep prices low to attract more fans (Colorado, Los Angeles); which sacrifice attendance to keep ticket prices high (the White Sox and Yankees, two clubs whose owners often lament their lack of fan support), and which don't draw despite low prices (the Brewers, Expos and Pirates).

The "Fan Index" averages the six numbers in the preceding columns. Baltimore rates as the majors' best-supported team, combining all three keys to success at the gate: a big market, a good team and a new stadium. (Of the eight teams with the newest stadiums, seven -- all but Florida -- rank among the 10 best-supported clubs.) The bottom 10 includes the large-market Angels and Tigers. The Mets deserve a special award: playing in baseball's biggest market, their attendance has been 30% below average.

Team	1994 Population	1994 Cost	1994 Att.	1995 Cost	1995 Att.	1996 Cost	1996 Att.	Fan Index	Rank
Atlanta	3,330,997	115	142	113	142	115	135	127	5th
Baltimore	7,051,495	107	142	123	172	116	170	138	1st
Boston	5,497,284	129	99	127	120	136	108	104	11th
California	7,651,138	77	85	76	97	75	85	83	20th
White Sox	4,263,402	124	95	121	89	125	78	105	10th
Cubs	4,263,402	126	103	124	106	116	103	113	9th
Cincinnati	1,894.071	76	106	75	102	70	87	86	18th
Cleveland	2,898,855	115	112	113	158	128	155	130	4th
Colorado	2,189,994	76	184	100	188	94	181	137	2nd
Detroit	5,255,700	106	66	100	66	94	54	81	23rd
Florida	3,408,038	95	108	91	94	92	81	94	15th
Houston	4,098,776	85	87	84	76	94	92	86	19th
K.C.	1,647,241	98	78	94	68	86	67	82	21st
L.A.	7,651,138	93	128	91	153	88	149	117	7th
Milwaukee	1,637,278	91	71	89	60	83	62	76	27th
Minnesota	2,688,455	90	78	88	59	90	67	79	25th
Montreal	3,300,000	82	71	84	73	80	75	78	26th
Mets	9.898,215	105	64	103	71	105	74	87	17th
Yankees	9,898,215	138	94	141	95	129	105	117	8th
Oakland	3,256,611	102	70	100	65	100	54	82	22nd
Phila.	5,959,301	93	128	92	113	97	84	101	12th
Pittsburgh	2,402,012	93	68	91	50	89	62	76	28th
St. Louis	2,536,080	94	105	92	97	88	124	100	13th
San Diego	2,632,078	88	53	86	58	87	102	79	24th
S.F.	3,256,611	101	95	104	69	94	66	88	16th
Seattle	3,225,517	93	62	91	92	102	127	95	14th
Texas	4,362,483	116	140	113	110	106	136	120	6th
Toronto	4,100,000	133	163	125	157	123	119	137	3rd

Notes: Market sizes are 1994 Census Bureau and Canadian estimates, from the 1997 World Almanac.

Market sizes adjusted for two-team cities.

Average ticket price: 1994: $10.45, 1995: $10.65, 1996: $11.32.

Average attendance: 1994: 1,786,034, 1995: 1,802,299, 1996: 2,146,302.

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