MLB as a whole experienced a dip in fan attendance to the stadiums between 2020 and 2022.
The 2020 campaign was in the middle of the pandemic, so no fans were in the stands.
Then, in 2021, the aftereffects of COVID-19 were also noticeable in the stands.
The 2021-22 offseason represented the lockout and the labor dispute between MLB and the players, resulting in generally decreased attendance levels.
The league started to slowly crawl back in 2023 and is back to soaring in 2024.
In fact, MLB registered the best attendance numbers for the month of April in seven years.
“The 2024 average attendance of 26,927 marks the best through the end of April for @MLB since the 2017 season, and it represents a +0.9% increase over 2023,” MLB Communications tweeted.
The 2024 average attendance of 26,927 marks the best through the end of April for @MLB since the 2017 season, and it represents a +0.9% increase over 2023. pic.twitter.com/LbyuTh5FkI
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) May 1, 2024
With stadium experiences improving every year, more items, concession stands and cool features available in every park, and lower average game times, families are opting to go watch a baseball game more than ever before in recent years.
Of course, the show on the field is also better than ever: players are skilled and more prepared, there are exciting rookies, and more and more teams try to compete and leave behind the label of “rebuilders.”
As of right now, even the Oakland Athletics are entertaining with a 15-17 record, better than the Houston Astros.
As the weather gets warmer, fan attendance could also increase and keep positioning MLB as a growing league.
It seems that the league has left behind the dark days of the pandemic and the post-lockout fan anger, and that, with the rule changes that make the game more entertaining, is improving the show and drawing fans closer.
