Baseball will be front and center in New York this weekend, as the Mets head to the Bronx to open a three-game Subway Series against the Yankees — with both teams holding onto first place in their respective divisions.
As it happens, the Big Apple just claimed the top spot in a new ranking of baseball cities.
Research, conducted by online gaming platform 1000 Mines, ranks the top U.S. cities for baseball fans based on such factors as team access, stadium numbers, affordability and fan engagement. New York is numero uno, followed by Los Angeles and Chicago — each of those cities also boasts two MLB teams.
“For many Americans, baseball isn’t just a sport — it’s a way of life,” said Neal Taparia, a spokesperson for 1000 Mines. “We found that cities with both strong major and minor league presence, as well as community field access, create the most engaged fan bases.”
New York City is also home to the minor league Brooklyn Cyclones, the Mets’ High-A affiliate, as well as the Staten Island FerryHawks, an independent minor league squad that plays in the Atlantic League.
Nearby in Wappinger Falls are the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Yankees High-A affiliate, and, of course, the Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks in Central Islip.
The numbers back it up
New York scored 81.73 out of 100 in the study. With two MLB teams, dozens of stadiums and a plethora of minor league teams to root for, there’s almost always a game to watch somewhere in and around the city.
The average MLB ticket price of $92 also ranks mid-tier compared to other top markets, according to the study.
Los Angeles, with National League juggernaut Dodgers, the Angels in the American League, and a robust minor league scene, came in second, followed closely by Chicago, the home of the Cubs and White Sox.
Surprises in the lineup
Smaller markets made strong showings, too. St. Louis cracked the top 10 at No. 6, fueled by what the study called “exceptional fan dedication.” Despite having just one MLB team, St. Louis boasted the highest Google search interest per capita — more than triple that of New York.
Cincinnati landed at No. 9, offering fans the most affordable MLB experience among the top 10, with average tickets costing just $74.
“Affordability matters,” Taparia said. “It can be the difference between attending five games or just one.”
Editor’s note: As New Yorkers, it pains us a little to say this — but Boston getting ranked 10th feels low for a city that treats baseball like religion.
10 best U.S. cities for baseball fans
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Houston
- Atlanta
- St. Louis
- Philadelphia
- Minneapolis
- Cincinnati
- Boston
The full rankings were based on six weighted metrics: MLB and minor league team presence, stadium count, average ticket prices, amateur field availability and online search interest. Data sources included Google Ads, sports ticket platforms and location data from Google Maps.
Top photo: The New York Yankees play the New York Mets during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II).
