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MLB, in some respects, is increasingly being seen as the Dodgers and everybody else—particularly after Los Angeles last year claimed the league’s first repeat title in a quarter century.
The Mets, however, believe they remain equipped to compete with the Dodgers in all respects.
Even after last year’s disappointing 83–79 campaign, the Mets are getting ready to begin the 2026 season with plenty of optimism, both on and off the field. New York will field a $371.7 million luxury-tax payroll—trailing only the Dodgers in MLB—and despite the offseason departure of first baseman Pete Alonso in free agency, the Mets will go into the new season with a new mix of veterans and emerging players, including free-agent acquisition Bo Bichette and second-year pitcher Nolan McLean, who started for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic title game.
The Mets also have MLB’s richest owner, Steve Cohen, who has an estimated net worth of $23 billion and a rising impatience for championship glory after more than five years owning the club.
“More important than my sense, it’s the fans’ sense, that there’s excitement around this team,” team president of business operations Lew Sherr told Front Office Sports on Wednesday as the club unveiled new Citi Field amenities for 2026. “It was an interesting offseason, but heading into Opening Day, the caliber of players we have, the new players and the youth that have joined the team, they’re truly high-impact performers, and it has energized this fan base.
“So we’re optimistic. Our goal is to compete every year, and I’m unbelievably blessed to have a partner like [president of baseball operations] David Stearns on that side of the house and the support of Steve,” Sherr said.
Attendance Watching
Boosted by the arrival of heralded free agent Juan Soto, the Mets enjoyed by far the largest attendance increase in MLB last year, soaring 36% from 2024’s total of 2.33 million to a Citi Field record of 3.18 million in 2025. The attendance ranking across the league, meanwhile, rose from 18th to fifth, behind only the perennial leader Dodgers, the Padres, the Yankees, and the Phillies.
The Mets, however, missed the postseason last year and were MLB’s top-drawing team not in the playoffs.
A similar leap in 2026 is not possible given Citi Field’s listed capacity of 41,800, suggesting a total possible attendance of 3.39 million.
Still, Sherr said ticket sales are tracking ahead of 2025 and that the team is projecting another increase at the gate.
“We’re feeling really encouraged about this season. Our sales are pacing ahead of last year. Last year was a record, and a lot of things still need to happen, but we feel really good,” he said. “All the indicators are really positive about fan excitement about this team.”
Ballpark Changes, New Neighbors
The 17-year-old Citi Field, meanwhile, remains in a state of transition as club owner Steve Cohen continues to make refinements at the ballpark—including a series of new menu items to what is already regarded as MLB’s best facility for food.
The biggest forthcoming change, however, is the $8 billion casino complex that is being built adjacent to Citi Field. The Metropolitan Park project, a partnership between Cohen and Hard Rock International, secured a coveted New York State gaming license in December, and construction is now underway in advance of a planned June 2030 opening.
Once complete, Metropolitan Park will include a casino and hotel, 5 acres of green space, playgrounds, a 5,000-seat indoor music venue, a rebuilt transit hub, and a locally inspired food hall, among other amenities. The complex will also complement a forthcoming stadium for Major League Soccer’s NYCFC and the ever-expanded USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, both near Citi Field.
In part because of the ongoing work, the Mets have created a series of additional public transportation options, including extra subway and ferry lines after games and discounted tickets to the Long Island Rail Road.
“The idea is to make it as easy as possible to attend games,” Sherr said.
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