MLB records its first consecutive increase in viewership since 2011-12

NEW YORK – Major League Baseball's average attendance rose 0.9% this season, marking the first increase in consecutive years since 2011-12.

The MLB attracted 71.35 million fans over 2,413 goals, an average of 29,568, the highest since 30,042 in 2017, the commissioner's office said Tuesday.

The total was up 0.8% from last year's 70.75 million with 2,415 goals. MLB pulled in 64.56 million and averaged 29,295 in 2023, up from 64.56 million and 26,843 in 2022.

MLB pulled in 69.63 million in 2018, falling to 68.49 million in 2019, the last season before the coronavirus pandemic caused the 2020 season to be played without fans and much of 2021 in limited capacity.

Five teams have surpassed the 3 million mark this season, up from eight in 2023.

The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the major leagues with 3.94 million players and have been at the top every year since 2013 except for the 2020 season without fans.

Philadelphia was second with 3.36 million, followed by San Diego with 3.33 million, the New York Yankees with 3.31 million and Atlanta with 3.01 million.

They were followed by the Chicago Cubs with 2.91 million, St. Louis with 2.88 million, Houston with 2.84 million, Toronto with 2.68 million and Boston with 2.66 million.

St. Louis, Houston and Toronto all exceeded 3 million in 2023. The Cardinals were down 363,000, the Blue Jays were down 341,000 and the Astros were down 217,000.

Oakland drew 922,286 points in its final season before moving to Sacramento, a major league record low. The Athletics plan to spend three seasons in Sacramento and move to Las Vegas in 2028.

Miami drew 1.09 million, Tampa Bay 1.34 million and the Chicago White Sox 1.38 million in a season in which they lost a record 121 games since 1900.

Arizona saw the largest increase after reaching the World Series, increasing by 381,000 to 2.34 million. Kansas City increased by 351,000 to 1.66 million, Baltimore increased by 344,000 to 2.28 million and Philadelphia increased by 311,000 to 3.36 million.

After selling several stars at the 2023 trade deadline, the New York Mets dropped 244,000 to 2.33 million.

According to MLB, ESPN's Sunday telecasts averaged 1,505,000 viewers, up 6% and the highest since 2019. Fox's broadcasts averaged 1,879,000, up from 1,875,000. TBS's early primetime games averaged 375,000, up 2%.

Among viewers ages 18 to 34, MLB said ESPN Sunday games increased 12% and Fox increased 9%.

Games on MLB.TV were streamed for 14.5 billion minutes, up 14% from 12.7 billion last year. According to MLB, the number of total games watched increased by 17%.