As Major League Baseball’s regular season rolls on, sports fans looking to follow their team on the road might want to think twice before booking that trip—at least without budgeting first. A recent comprehensive analysis published by Front Office Sports, Axios and sports betting data and analysis site Action Network, breaks down the average cost for fans attending an away game across all 30 MLB teams.
The study takes into account a two-night Airbnb stay, a game-day ticket, beer and soda, parking, public transportation, a small souvenir and an inexpensive meal. And while the crack of the bat and the roar of an opposing crowd are priceless to many baseball fans, the financial reality varies widely—from near-luxury experiences to surprisingly affordable games.
Below is a ranking of all 30 MLB teams, based on the average cost to attend an away game, from most affordable to most expensive, as reported by AS USA and compiled using Front Office Sports’ 2024 MLB Fan Cost Index methodology:
- Toronto Blue Jays – Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON – $369
- Chicago White Sox – Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, IL – $380
- Los Angeles Angels – Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA – $381
- Atlanta Braves – Truist Park, Atlanta, GA – $384
- Cincinnati Reds – Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH – $385
- Colorado Rockies – Coors Field, Denver, CO – $390
- Pittsburgh Pirates – PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA – $398
- Cleveland Guardians – Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH – $399
- Arizona Diamondbacks – Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ – $402
- Chicago Cubs – Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL – $403
- St. Louis Cardinals – Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO – $405
- Milwaukee Brewers – American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI – $409
- Houston Astros – Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX – $414
- Baltimore Orioles – Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD – $415
- Kansas City Royals – Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO – $415
- Minnesota Twins – Target Field, Minneapolis, MN – $417
- New York Yankees – Yankee Stadium, New York, NY – $419
- Detroit Tigers – Comerica Park, Detroit, MI – $424
- New York Mets – Citi Field, Queens, NY – $428
- Miami Marlins – loanDepot Park, Miami, FL – $430
- Philadelphia Phillies – Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA – $434
- San Francisco Giants – Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA – $440
- Texas Rangers – Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX – $449
- Washington Nationals – Nationals Park, Washington, DC – $453
- Tampa Bay Rays – Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL – $462
- Seattle Mariners – T-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA – $463
- Boston Red Sox – Fenway Park, Boston, MA – $511
- San Diego Padres – Petco Park, San Diego, CA – $527
- Oakland Athletics – Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA – $570
- Los Angeles Dodgers – Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA – $588
What Drives the Costs?
Several regional and economic factors influence the price of an MLB away game experience:
- Market size and hotel rates: Major cities like New York, Boston, and San Francisco typically mean higher accommodation and transportation prices.
- Ticket demand and stadium legacy: Iconic venues like Fenway Park and Wrigley Field command significantly higher ticket prices due to their limited seating capacity and historic appeal.
- Local taxes and transportation infrastructure: Parking and public transit costs vary widely. In cities with limited public transportation, rideshare or parking fees can inflate total costs.
- Game day extras: Concession costs, merchandise, and nearby attractions can quickly add to the bill, especially in tourist-heavy destinations.
Conversely, smaller markets with budget-friendly food and lodging options—such as Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland—offer a more affordable overall experience. Even Toronto, despite being in a major international city, ranked as the most budget-friendly, thanks to favourable exchange rates for American visitors and relatively stable lodging prices near Rogers Centre.
What’s Included in the Average Cost?
The analysis used a standard package for each city.
- Average cost of game day ticket
- Average stay at Airbnb (two nights)
- Parking and public transportation
- Meal and beer
- Souvenirs or merchandise
The methodology prioritized the actual out-of-pocket cost of fandom beyond the stadium gates.
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Is The Experience Still Worth It?
Despite rising costs for attending professional sports events, fans continue to flock to ballparks across North America. The excitement of watching a live game cannot be matched by simply watching on a television screen.
Many fans turn an away game into a full travel experience, exploring new cities, connecting with other fans, and establishing traditions that often span generations. From rooftop views in Wrigleyville, Chicago, to sunset skies at Petco Park, in San Diego, each city offers something visually and culturally unique to visitors.
Even with the steep price tags in some locations, the MLB road trip remains one of the most rewarding experiences in American (and Canadian) sports culture.