As a sports fan, I can tell you that, while it would be fantastic to go to every single game, the fact is that it’s just way too expensive. Even as the start of games approach and tickets are more than available, there just isn’t enough money in my bank account to be able to afford the trip each night. And for those who are lucky enough to get season tickets, while envious, I’m not all about dropping thousands of dollars to guarantee a seat at each of my favorite team’s home game. Still, even as ticket prices to sporting events seem to be going higher and higher, there are still some great ticket values out there. But which teams offer the best one? I dug deep to get the numbers, giving you a few that may certainly surprise you.
10. Cincinnati Reds – $69
Playing in the NL Central and in a ballpark that opened in the past decade or so, the Cincinnati Reds might be able to boost the prices of their tickets, but management has refused to do so, coming in with the 10th best value on the big leagues. With former MVP Joey Votto on the roster along with exciting outfielder Billy Hamilton, the Reds were in contention for a little bit in 2014, but injuries and inconsistency led to a missed postseason run.
9. Seattle Mariners – $68
After the big-time signing of free agent Robinson Cano last offseason, many fans in Seattle may have assumed that the Mariners were going to raise prices to help generate more revenue to help pay for that 10-year, $240 million deal. That wasn’t the case, though, as the M’s are just one of three American League teams with an average ticket price below $70, making them a great deal worth checking out if ever visiting the Northwest in the summertime. Just missing out on the playoffs, the M’s have a great product for fans to enjoy for relatively cheap, too!
8. Kansas City Royals – $68
Runners-up in the MLB after their World Series loss, the Kansas City Royals became the darling of baseball thanks to their incredible season and postseason run. With players like James Shields and Alex Gordon on the roster, Royals fans were able to see a team of underdogs to root for—all for the price of just $68 per ticket. Even with recent renovations to Kaufmann Stadium, this front office kept tickets easy on the wallet for fans.
7. Arizona Diamondbacks – $65
Although the team underachieved in 2014, the Arizona Diamondbacks at least made getting to the ballpark easy for fans. With the average ticket costing just $65, D-Backs supporters actually didn’t have an average ticket price of over $100 all season long, which, depending on who you are, is either a good or bad thing. And, if you’re a fan, I would think it’s something that makes you very happy, because it makes it less stressful to get to the ballpark.
6. Los Angeles Angels – $65
Much like their crosstown, National League counterpart, the L.A. Dodgers, the L.A. Angels find themselves on the cheaper end of average ticket prices in all of baseball. Sure, the team has league MVPs Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and Josh Hamilton on taking up plenty of money on the payroll, but Halo fans aren’t getting punished for that. Reaching the playoffs in 2014 with the best record in the A.L.—which, sadly, ended poorly for them—the Angels continued to pack the park thanks to an average ticket price of about $65.
5. Miami Marlins – $65
Sitting fifth on this list, the Miami Marlins may find that they’ll be jacking up ticket prices now that they just inked superstar slugger Giancarlo Stanton to a massive deal—but who really knows? As it stood in 2014, the Marlins offered some of the cheapest tickets in the game, refusing to raise ticket prices even as they continue to add a few things to their recently opened, state-of-the-art stadium. With a young team who actually overachieved this past season, Marlins fans could get to the stadium on the cheap!
4. Los Angeles Dodgers – $63
This one was the most surprising team to see for me, as the L.A. Dodgers splurged in a big way over the past couple of seasons, adding high-priced and big-name free agents that led the Dodgers to the highest payroll in baseball. That didn’t mean that the team was going to punish fans, though, as they actually have the fourth lowest average ticket price in the majors. With players like pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, and sluggers Adrian Gonzalez and Mat Kemp, it’s a little surprising to see six games with an average ticket cost of under $30, and just three carrying an average price of over $100.
3. Minnesota Twins – $62
Not expected to compete in 2014—which they didn’t—the Minnesota Twins and their front office were solely focused on one thing; getting as many fans in the stands as possible. With the average ticket price at just $62 last season, they at least gave themselves a chance to do that, offering some of the cheapest in all of baseball. With a roster made up of veterans and young guys, the Twins may not have won many games, but, for those looking to get to a game in Target Field, at least they were able to.
2. Colorado Rockies – $58
With just four games with an average ticket price of over $100, the Colorado Rockies offered their fans a great value in order to see them live at Coors Field last season. And, seeing how two of those four games were holiday weekends that featured fireworks, there were plenty of other open dates for fans to take in the mile high air. The team may not have been competitive last season, but, when looking for something to do in Denver on a random night, at least the team made sure fans could choose a ballgame to fill their evening.
1. Washington Nationals – $49
Even with young stars Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg, the Washington Nationals had the lowest ticket prices in all of baseball, going for just $49 per ticket. With a beautiful stadium and a team who won their division and made the postseason, the Nats are, by far, the best deal in the majors, allowing fans to catch a ballgame at an insane price. With nearly 20 games at under $30, Nats fans were able to see their team without breaking the bank—with both the team and fans rewarded for the play on the field.
Photo by Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers via Getty Images
