Report says Royals’ average ticket price increase is highest in the major leagues
The Royals’ average single-game ticket price rose 24.7 percent to $24.73, the highest yearly increase in Major League Baseball in 2014, according to the Team Marketing Report’s annual survey.
Major League Baseball’s average ticket price rose 2 percent this season to $27.93, the steepest rise since a 5 percent hike in 2009. The average rose 1.8 percent last year after remaining flat in 2012.
World Series champion Boston had the highest average, rising 4.8 percent to $52.32. The New York Yankees, who missed the playoffs for just the second time in 19 years, kept their average flat and remained second at $51.55. Even with the highest per-year increase in baseball, the Royals’ average price ranked 19th in the majors.
The Chicago Cubs were third at $44.16 following a 0.9 percent decrease. The Cubs are coming off their fourth straight season with a losing record and are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field.
The Dodgers’ average rose 15.3 percent to $25.80 as Los Angeles hiked its opening-day payroll to $234 million and ended the Yankees’ 15-year streak as baseball’s biggest spender.
San Diego had the lowest average at $16.37, and Arizona was just above the Padres at $17.98. After its third straight season of 100 or more losses, Houston dropped its average 13.6 percent to $27.98.
The average NFL ticket price was $81.54 last season, TMR said. The NBA average is $52.50 this season and the NHL average is $61.62.
Team Marketing Report’s Fan Cost Index, which includes four average-price tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four hot dogs, parking, two programs and two adult-size caps, rose 2.3 percent to $212.46.
The Red Sox were the high team at $350.78 and Arizona the low at $126.89. The Royals were 21st at $191.91.
| Team | Avg. ticket | Rank | FCI | Rank |
| Arizona | $17.98 | 29 | $126.89 | 30 |
| Atlanta | $18.53 | 27 | $171.62 | 24 |
| Baltimore | $24.97 | 17 | $173.39 | 23 |
| Boston | $52.32 | 1 | $350.78 | 1 |
| Chicago White Sox | $26.05 | 14 | $210.18 | 15 |
| Chicago Cubs | $44.16 | 3 | $304.64 | 3 |
| Cincinnati | $22.03 | 24 | $168.12 | 27 |
| Cleveland | $21.31 | 25 | $162.24 | 28 |
| Colorado | $23.65 | 20 | $201.60 | 18 |
| Detroit | $28.22 | 10 | $219.88 | 10 |
| Houston | $27.98 | 11 | $215.90 | 13 |
| Royals | $24.73 | 19 | $191.91 | 21 |
| LA Angels | $27.40 | 12 | $195.60 | 20 |
| LA Dodgers | $25.80 | 15 | $217.69 | 11 |
| Miami | $27.01 | 13 | $221.02 | 9 |
| Milwaukee | $24.96 | 18 | $176.84 | 22 |
| Minnesota | $32.59 | 7 | $215.36 | 14 |
| N.Y. Mets | $25.30 | 16 | $229.68 | 7 |
| N.Y. Yankees | $51.55 | 2 | $337.20 | 2 |
| Oakland | $22.84 | 22 | $200.36 | 19 |
| Philadelphia | $37.42 | 4 | $258.18 | 4 |
| Pittsburgh | $18.32 | 28 | $169.28 | 28 |
| St. Louis | $33.84 | 6 | $233.86 | 6 |
| San Diego | $16.37 | 30 | $153.45 | 29 |
| San Francisco | $31.63 | 8 | $239.51 | 5 |
| Seattle | $28.45 | 9 | $207.80 | 16 |
| Tampa Bay | $21.01 | 26 | $170.02 | 25 |
| Texas | $23.54 | 21 | $203.14 | 17 |
| Toronto | $22.78 | 23 | $217.69 | 11 |
| Washington | $35.24 | 5 | $227.96 | 8 |
| AVERAGE | $27.93 | — | $212.46 | — |
Fan cost index comprises the price of four average tickets, two small beers, four small sodas, four hot dogs, parking for one car, two game programs and two adult-sized caps
Source:This story was originally published March 31, 2014 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Report says Royals’ average ticket price increase is highest in the major leagues."