Rays Attendance Woes Continue as They Struggle to Sellout Tropicana Field With $5 Tickets
By Daniel Lubofsky
Despite a 41-24 record that has them tied atop the standings in the AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays haven't been able to attract many fans to Tropicana Field.
So far during the 2019 MLB season, they rank 29th overall in attendance behind only the Miami Marlins.
Dangerous move to sell $5 tickets and not sell out the $5 seats -- instant market referendum on Rays' value to the Tampa Bay market: https://t.co/IMenkrCRXp
— LVSportsBiz.com (@LVSportsBiz) June 7, 2019
In an effort to boost attendance, the Rays offered a flash sale in which 5,000 tickets would be available for five home games at a price of just $5 each.
Despite the tremendously low cost, Tampa Bay only managed to sell out two of those five games, another example of the dwindling fanbase the team has had over the years.
How much did Rays' attendance factor in Craig Kimbrel signing with Cubs? https://t.co/u4UpldQk2A
— Tampa Bay Times (@TB_Times) June 8, 2019
Since drawing in close 16,000 nightly fans in 2016, the Rays have seen that number decrease in each of the last three seasons.
If they can't get fans to the stadium with such a great deal, it'll be hard to see this Rays team remaining in Tampa past 2027 when their stadium lease expires.