Monday, July 20, 2026

The State of MLB Game Costs

  • The cost to attend an MLB game with a family four ranges from $144.25 to see the Arizona Diamondbacks to $376.49 for the Boston Red Sox.
  • The Baltimore Orioles increased costs nearly 30% from last year.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

The Baltimore Orioles are once again competing for MLB’s worst record this year, but going to see them at Camden Yards has gotten significantly more expensive.

The Orioles had the biggest year-to-year increase in estimated cost for a family of four to see a game, rising 29.4% to $245.77.

The numbers, calculated by Team Marketing Report and compiled by The Athletic, show a wide spread of in-game revenue across MLB.

  • The ​​$376.49 a family might spend seeing the most expensive team, the Boston Red Sox, is more than double the bottom four: the Pittsburgh Pirates ($183.86), Tampa Bay Rays ($179.86), Miami Marlins ($174.54), and Arizona Diamondbacks ($144.25).
  • The Orioles’ price increase was more than double that of the next-highest team, the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox, whose estimated cost rose 14.4% to $253.25.

MLB took in $10.7 billion in 2019 revenue but said it lost $3.1 billion last year in its pandemic-shortened 60-game season. Teams laid off hundreds of employees in 2020.

Fan revenue accounts for around 40% of team revenue in a typical season.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (2) slides into score against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field.

Pending Labor Talks, MLB Is Set for Earliest Opening Day in 2027

Labor woes cloud the consideration of next year’s slate.
Jul 13, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) bats in the second round of the All Star-Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.

Home Run Derby Ratings Drop 7% on Netflix

The event’s pivot to streaming results in a slightly lower average audience.
Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; General view of fireworks over Citizens Bank Park during the fourth inning of the All-Star Game.

MLB All-Star Game Ratings Get a Boost From World Cup

The midseason showcase’s audience rises with a World Cup lead-in.

MLB’s Stretch Run Will Be Defined By Labor, Stadiums, and Stars

The trade deadline and contending low-budget teams also loom large. 
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/20/26 – Spain Wins World Cup, Open Championship Controversy, McGregor Timeline

0:00

Featured Today

Tom's Watch Bar

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium
July 16, 2026

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
Sponsored

Olympic Hockey Betting Preview: USA and Canada Take Center Ice

Olympic hockey betting odds shift as USA and Canada dominate early action, per BetMGM’s 2026 Winter Games preview.
Sponsored

Baseball Is Back: MLB Opening Day Prices Soar

MLB Opening Day ticket prices are at record highs. TickPick data breaks down demand, pricing trends, and where fans are paying the most.
Sponsored

Clase Azul Tequila Founder’s Soccer Ownership

Arturo Lomeli talks about managing a tequila brand and two soccer clubs.
Sponsored

Paying a Premium: Super Bowl LX Is a Hot Ticket

Super Bowl LX ticket prices are among the highest of the decade. TickPick data breaks down demand, pricing trends, and where fans are buying.
February 6, 2026

The Killers and a Seat on the 50: Super Bowl’s Priciest Packages

On Location offers packages ranging from less than $1,000 to over $300,000.
Sponsored

The Hidden Tech Behind Every Touchdown

Nearly two-thirds of NFL stadiums already rely on Cisco networks, and the Super Bowl will showcase the full scale of the partnership.
Sponsored

TNT Sports and Bleacher Report Head to College

TNT Sports is going all-in on college athletics—bringing fans closer and giving brands a powerful new way to connect.