Minor League Baseball Attendance Tops 42.5 Million in 2015
September 9, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A total of 42,561,445 fans passed through the gates at Minor League Baseball games in 2015, marking the third-largest single-season total in the organization's history, which currently consists of 176 teams in 15 leagues.
The 2015 season saw 14 teams set single-season franchise attendance records and marked the 11th consecutive year Minor League Baseball drew over 41 million fans. The 42.5 million fans in 2015 ranked third behind 42.8 million fans in 2007 and Minor League Baseball's all-time record of 43.3 million fans in 2008.
"Minor League Baseball continues to provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment, and the fact that over 42 million fans visited our ballparks again solidifies our place in the sports and entertainment industry," said Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O'Conner. "Our clubs strive to produce a quality product, on and off the field, and the tremendous support of our fans and communities cannot be overstated. The enthusiasm shown by Minor League Baseball fans across the country is second to none."
The Triple-A Charlotte Knights led all teams in attendance, as 669,398 fans visited BB&T Ballpark this season. Three new ballparks helped boost attendance as the Nashville Sounds opened First Tennessee Park in April, the Biloxi Shuckers moved into MGM Park in June and the West Virginia Black Bears began play at Monongalia County Ballpark in late June. Since 2000, Minor League Baseball clubs have opened 61 new ballparks.
The attendance leaders in each classification of Minor League Baseball and their overall numbers were: Triple-A - Charlotte Knights (669,398), Double-A - Frisco RoughRiders (477,354), Class A - Dayton Dragons (574,830), Short Season-A and Rookie - Brooklyn Cyclones (230,658).
Top 10 Single-Season Attendance Totals in Minor League Baseball History
Year Attendance
2008 43,263,740
2007 42,812,812
2015 42,561,445
2014 42,411,194
2006 41,710,357
2009 41,644,518
2013 41,553,781
2010 41,428,143
2005 41,333,279
2012 41,279,382
About Minor League Baseball
Minor League Baseball, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, is the governing body for all professional baseball teams in the United States, Canada, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic that are affiliated with Major League Baseball clubs through their farm systems. Fans are coming out in unprecedented numbers to this one-of-a-kind experience that can only be found at Minor League Baseball ballparks. In 2015, Minor League Baseball attracted 42.5 million fans to its ballparks to see the future stars of the sport hone their skills. From the electricity in the stands to the excitement on the field, Minor League Baseball has provided affordable family-friendly entertainment to people of all ages since its founding in 1901. For more information about Minor League Baseball, visit www.MiLB.com.
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