April 4, 2016
The 2016 MLB season is officially here, and while you’re ironing out the wrinkles your favorite jersey has accumulated over a long winter, expect to pay big premiums for 2016 MLB tickets on the secondary market if headed to the ballpark for Opening Day. Hope springs eternal for each fan base as the springtime sets in, and fans in select cities will be paying top dollar to be on hand as each team begins their long and hopeful trip to the postseason.
According to TicketIQ, the Texas Rangers are posting the biggest Opening Day ticket demand among all 30 clubs. Texas Rangers tickets on the resale market for Monday’s game against the Seattle Mariners posted a $285 average – 110% more expensive than the team’s season average of $97 at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The cheapest ticket was listed for $97. The Boston Red Sox are experiencing a similar demand as David Ortiz plays in the final Opening Day of his career. Scheduled for April 11 against the Baltimore Orioles, Opening Day prices for Boston Red Sox tickets on TicketIQ are now averaging $282, up 110% from the $134.52 season average at Fenway Park in 2016. Looking just to get in? The cheapest ticket to the game is now $107.
Both the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals, who met in the 2015 World Series, are also posting big Opening Day demand in their respective parks. The World Champion Royals welcomed the Mets at Kauffman Stadium in their home opener on Sunday night, where tickets averaged $265 and the get-in price was $107. The Mets head home to Citi Field to host the Philadelphia Phillies this Friday afternoon. New York Mets tickets on the resale market for their home opener currently average $268 - a whopping 149% above the team's season average of $107.73. The cheapest ticket? A cool $94.
Of course, not all teams will cost an arm and a leg to see at home for the first time this season. In fact, the Oakland Athletics are actually posting a cheaper Opening Day ticket average than their season average at o. Co Coliseum. They'll host the Chicago White Sox tonight, where tickets currently average just $70.41 - 6% cheaper than the $74.61 season average in Oakland in 2016. The Milwaukee Brewers will own the cheapest Opening Day tickets prices this season, with tickets to the home opener against the San Francisco Giants on Monday averaging $65.89 - just 12% higher than their season average of $58.60.
