More Fans are Flocking to Camden Yards, But Why is Orioles Attendance Still Below MLB Average?
The Baltimore Orioles are having a resurgence. After years of languishing in the bottom of the league, the Orioles are now a force to be reckoned with, and their fans are taking notice. Attendance at Oriole Park at Camden Yards is up 27% so far in 2024, the largest uptick in MLB, but it still ranks 19th out of 30 teams. This begs the question: why, despite the surge in fans flocking to Camden Yards, is Orioles attendance still below the MLB average?
The Orioles are averaging 26,185 fans per home game — a 25.4% increase through the same number of home games last year. Baltimore’s 2024 attendance will exceed 1 million during this weekend’s series against the Philadelphia Phillies, and the season isn’t even half over yet. This impressive increase in attendance is a testament to the team’s on-field success. Baltimore has a bona fide ace in Corbin Burnes and several other pitchers convincingly playing well these days (Dean Kremer, John Means, Kyle Bradish and even Cole Irvin). Their young core of prospects is dynamic, making hard contact, and playing exciting baseball. The team’s exciting style of play has captivated fans and brought a newfound energy to the stadium.
The Orioles’ success on the field has been the primary driver of the increased attendance. The team’s young core of prospects, led by Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, has injected a youthful exuberance into the lineup. The Orioles are playing exciting and competitive baseball, and fans are eager to see these young stars develop. This winning culture is attracting new fans, while also reigniting the passion of longtime supporters. However, despite the surge in popularity, the Orioles’ average attendance still lags behind the league average. This begs the question: why aren’t more fans coming to the ballpark?
- Orioles’ attendance at Camden Yards is up 27% in 2024, the largest increase in MLB.
- Baltimore’s average attendance per home game is 26,185, a 25.4% increase from last year.
- The team’s success on the field, led by young stars like Corbin Burnes and Adley Rutschman, has been a major factor in increased attendance.
- The Orioles’ exciting style of play and competitive baseball have attracted new fans and reignited the passion of longtime supporters.
- Despite the surge in popularity, Orioles’ average attendance still lags behind the MLB average due to the size of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, one of the largest stadiums in MLB.
Why is Orioles Attendance Still Below MLB Average?
While the Orioles are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, there are several reasons why their attendance still lags behind the MLB average. The first and most obvious reason is the size of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Camden Yards has a capacity of 45,971, with the installation of club level and upper deck seating. It is one of the largest stadiums in MLB, and filling it every night is a challenge for any team. While the team has seen a significant increase in attendance this year, it still takes a lot of fans to fill up Camden Yards.
The Orioles’ attendance woes are also exacerbated by the fact that they are located in a relatively small market. Baltimore is a city with a rich baseball history, but it is not a major media market like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago. This makes it harder for the Orioles to compete for attention with other sports teams and entertainment options. The team has had a long history of losing seasons, and many fans have been turned off by the team’s lack of success. The Orioles have had to work hard to rebuild their fan base and regain their place in the community.
Another factor that impacts attendance is the team’s current place in the standings. While the Orioles are in first place in the AL East, they have been a relatively young team over the past several years. It may take time for some fans to fully buy into the team’s success. Many fans who may be on the fence about attending games might be waiting to see if the Orioles can maintain their current level of success.
The Future of Orioles Attendance
The Orioles’ recent success has given fans a reason to be optimistic about the future of the team. The team has a young core of players who are only going to get better, and they are playing exciting and competitive baseball. As the team continues to develop, and as more fans become familiar with the younger players, attendance is likely to continue to increase. If the Orioles can maintain their current level of success, they could become one of the most popular teams in MLB.
The Orioles have a lot to be proud of. They have built a winning culture, and they are attracting new fans to the ballpark. The team is on the rise, and they are poised for a bright future. The team’s future success will depend on their ability to sustain their current success, which will in turn attract more fans to Camden Yards. The Orioles have a lot of work to do to reach the top of the league, but they are on the right track.
Other Challenges Facing the Orioles
The Orioles’ attendance woes are also a symptom of a broader trend in Major League Baseball. Over the past few years, MLB attendance has been declining. This is due to several factors, including the rising cost of tickets, the increasing popularity of other sports, and the changing viewing habits of younger fans. The Orioles are facing many of the same challenges as other MLB teams.
The Orioles are also facing competition from other sports teams in the Baltimore area. The city is home to the Baltimore Ravens, a two-time Super Bowl champion NFL team. Oriole Park at Camden Yards sits adjacent to M&T Bank Stadium, home to the Ravens, and the two teams draw on a similar fan base. The Ravens are a popular team in Baltimore, and they draw large crowds to their games. This competition makes it difficult for the Orioles to attract fans, especially die-hard football fans.
The Orioles are also facing competition from other entertainment options in the Baltimore area. The city has a vibrant arts and culture scene, and there are many other things to do in the city besides watching baseball. This makes it difficult for the Orioles to attract fans, especially those who are not die-hard baseball fans. There are also a lot of other sports and entertainment options in the city, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Opera, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. This competition makes it difficult for the Orioles to attract fans.
The Orioles’ Future is Bright
Despite the challenges they face, the Orioles are on the rise. The team has a bright future, and attendance is likely to continue to increase in the coming years. The Orioles have a young core of players who are only going to get better, and they are playing exciting and competitive baseball. The team is making a concerted effort to appeal to younger fans, and they are working hard to create a family-friendly atmosphere at Camden Yards. If the Orioles can continue to build on their recent success, they will be a force to be reckoned with in MLB.
The Orioles are a team on the rise, and their fans are starting to take notice. The team’s recent success has given fans a reason to be optimistic about the future, and attendance is likely to continue to increase in the coming years. The Orioles are a team with a bright future, and they are poised to become one of the most popular teams in MLB.
