A Radical Idea for Twins to Bolster Fan Goodwill and Engagement: Take Your Hands Out of Our Pockets

[Eric Blonigen]

What’s the best way to create a baseball fan for life? Bring a kid to the ballpark a few times a year, so they can see their favorite players do something special. What’s the best way to blow past a budget? Paying for concessions at those games. It’s time for the Twins to address bloated concessions costs in an effort to win back fans.

Image courtesy of © Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

In Major League: Back to the Minors, the manager of the Twins' Triple-A affiliate orders a couple of hot dogs and sodas at a game. The total was four dollars. Adjusted for inflation, that 1998 total would cost $7.75 today. Not bad. Figure a buck for raw costs, a couple bucks for labor, and then a couple bucks each for the vendor and the ball club toward operating expenses and profit. Reasonable, right?

How much do you suppose that same order would cost at Target Field today? Between $20 and $25, if you keep the sodas small. Like beer? A large craft beer will set you back around $20, after tip. (God forbid you forget the tip; they're not paying the workers helping you anything to speak of.) Want a kosher hot dog? Eight bucks, plus tax. For a hot dog. A decent brat will run you $11 after tax. Adult meal-sized food options range from $15-20, and some options go even higher. For a family of four, it’s not uncommon for the concessions bill alone to sit in the $150 range for a single game. Adding in ticket costs (which have also increased a fair bit over the past handful of years), you're looking at maybe $300 a game to sit in mid-range seats and have a meal.

That’s a lot, and it limits the number of games a casual fan will attend each season. For fans who have been unable to watch games on TV, going to the ballpark may be the only option they have to watch the game, and if it’s cost-prohibitive to do so, many of them just won't go. Fandoms are dying in their cribs, all over Twins Territory.

Concessions prices have steadily increased at Target Field since it opened. That’s to be expected. But, the degree to which they have increased is excessive, to the point of price gouging. Now, the Twins aren’t alone in this scenario. I go to half a dozen games at Kauffman Stadium each year, and their prices have gone through the roof, too. But, there’s one dynamic that’s markedly different between the Twins and some of the other teams across the league, and that’s fan sentiment.

Reading through Twins Twitter, it’s clear that at least a portion of the Twins fan base feels alienated by many of the business decisions over the past couple of years: the heavy slashing of payroll immediately following a 2023 playoff series win, the tone-deaf comments blaming fans for declining payroll due to declining attendance, the re-upping with DSG preventing many fans from watching games on TV, failure to allow moves to supplement a talented-but-flawed 2024 roster at the trade deadline—the list goes on and on. For fans feeling some level of apathy or even disgust toward ownership and the business side of the Minnesota Twins, it’s clear that something needs to change.

Since the offseason began, there has been an effort to address some of these concerns. Ownership went on record saying payroll wouldn’t be cut (you know, again) going into 2025. The Twins signed on with MLB for streaming distribution, ending local blackouts so fans can watch on TV (if they're willing to pay "Target Field chicken tenders meal" dollars each month for the privilege). Dave St. Peter has given much of his portfolio to Derek Falvey. The Pohlads are selling the team! Now, it’s up to the Twins to keep making decisions that can bring some wary fans back into the fold.

One of the easiest solutions would be to decide to profit slightly less off concessions at the ballpark. By lowering concessions costs even slightly, the organization would send a message that it hears fans’ concerns, and wants to take action to bring fans back to the ballpark.

Yes, the Twins have done a few things to make concessions more affordable over the past few years (under certain, limited parameters), but there’s room to do more. There’s Dollar Dog Night, but that often sells out shortly after the game starts. There are family sections with budget-friendly options, but those are limited to pretty mediocre offerings, and they really only bring the prices down to what they should be throughout the park—and maybe not even that far. There are simple tweaks that could demonstrate they are interested in meeting fans where they are: they could double the number of dollar dogs, and increase the number of days those are offered. They could also add a couple slightly more premium options in the family sections, say in the $7-8 range, or spread family-targeted meal deal options to all stands throughout the park.

The ballpark group could look to get creative as well. Perhaps they could do something like offering concessions promo codes — for every ten game tickets you buy, you get a single-day promo code for 40% off all concessions. Or, a concessions promo code for anyone who orders tickets for at least three games before the season starts. Or, they could do “deal of the day” type promotions where each game could feature a different vendor offering a discount for the day. There could be theme days throughout the season, similar to Dollar Dog Nights, but for burgers, pizza, or beer — you name it. The possibilities are endless, if the team is willing to look beyond their short-term bottom line.

It seems likely that for every dollar the team would lose in their concessions take, they would earn at least double that in the medium term through increased ticket sales, and probably also increased TV subscriptions. This fan engagement will also make it easier to get top dollar from the eventual buyers of the Twins. Longer-term, fans attending more games will lead to an increase in fan goodwill, and will give the Twins a chance to create more fans for life. The window to re-engage fans is open, but closes a little more with each passing tone-deaf season. The time is now to show fans that the team wants them to care.

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[Fire Dan Gladden]

Similar to movie theaters, fans have just come to expect exorbitant prices on food at ballparks.  When you have a captive audience and set the rules, there is no reason to change.  I have not seen any studies on this, but I would bet that stadium food prices have a negligent effect on attendance figures, meaning if you lowered all food prices by 20%, there would not be a comparable change in attendance figures.  

[DJL44]

You are still allowed to bring your own food to Target Field.

Quote

Outside food is allowed into Target Field. Hard-sided containers (Tupperware, hard-sided coolers, Thermos’) are not allowed into Target Field. No outside food may be brought into any bar, restaurant, or suite areas at Target Field.

If food costs are keeping you from attending, bring a picnic.

[old nurse]

The call for lower concession prices is not a new one. Alcohol prices being high is usually a deterrent to excessive consumption. I recall during the dome days people complaining about the quality of the dome dogs. It will always be something 

[nicksaviking]

56 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

Similar to movie theaters, fans have just come to expect exorbitant prices on food at ballparks.  When you have a captive audience and set the rules, there is no reason to change.  I have not seen any studies on this, but I would bet that stadium food prices have a negligent effect on attendance figures, meaning if you lowered all food prices by 20%, there would not be a comparable change in attendance figures.  

Yeah, if there are studies, it's the billionaires who have commissioned them, and solely to see where they can gauge fans.

And I think the movie theaters took the queue from the pro sports venues. As a kid I remember Metrodome concessions being on the pricey side, while movie theater popcorn and soda at the local college games were pretty cheap. Now those types of venues have more than embraced the pro-sports captive audience model.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

Similar to movie theaters, fans have just come to expect exorbitant prices on food at ballparks.  When you have a captive audience and set the rules, there is no reason to change.  I have not seen any studies on this, but I would bet that stadium food prices have a negligent effect on attendance figures, meaning if you lowered all food prices by 20%, there would not be a comparable change in attendance figures.  

Hundreds of thousands of people pay an entrance fee to the MN State Fair every year for the privilege of eating overpriced food.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

46 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Yeah, if there are studies, it's the billionaires who have commissioned them, and solely to see where they can gauge fans.

And I think the movie theaters took the queue from the pro sports venues. As a kid I remember Metrodome concessions being on the pricey side, while movie theater popcorn and soda at the local college games were pretty cheap. Now those types of venues have more than embraced the pro-sports captive audience model.

Movie theaters do not really make money on movie tickets, just like convenience stores do not make money on gasoline.  Their main income comes from the inflated prices of the goods the sell. 

[Vanimal46]

2 hours ago, Eric Blonigen said:

There’s Dollar Dog Night, but that often sells out shortly after the game starts.

What? I went to a couple of dollar dog nights last summer and that was not the case at all. Hard to sell out when the stadium is half full. 

 

45 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Hundreds of thousands of people pay an entrance fee to the MN State Fair every year for the privilege of eating overpriced food.

The food at the state fair is actually good. Not good for you, but much better quality than gas station quality hot dogs at Target Field. And a slice of Red Baron frozen pizza for $12 or whatever they’re charging. 

[bean5302]

Want to attend a Twins game with lots of concessions for cheap? There are many options.

Wednesday is $1 hot dog day. At a dozen different vendors around Target Field, get a hod dog for $1. The Twins allow you to bring your own bottled water in for free. Buy Legends Landing seats to get free unlimited food/beverage. There are special family package deals as well. Food too expensive anyway? Fine. YOU CAN BRING YOUR OWN FOOD INTO TARGET FIELD. That's right. Read it again.

Gotta have that "craft" beer, do you? Well, around the neighborhood of Target Field, expect it to cost you $13 with tip at the bar for 16oz. Yeah, it's more at Target Field, but I've never seen somebody order a small at Drafts at 34. $20 is 20oz with tip. Need a beer for cheap? If your palate won't be ruined by the horrors of the typical American lagers... at the 3 sections of family pricing, get a 12oz can of Bud/Bud Light for $5.

Good season ticket packages drop the price by 15% which basically covers your tip. Good lower levels start at like $25 per game ($500 for 20 game packages) per seat. Want Wild Tickets? Upper level start at $71 per game ($781/seat for 11 games), and you're going to get terrible food for even more money. Vikings starts at $97 for the nosebleeds ($1,552 for 16 games). Get ready to pay through your bleeding nose for concessions as well. Oh, maybe the Timberwolves? They're so embarrassed by their prices, they don't even list them online. Maybe as a Twins fan site writer with such an in-depth knowledge of the cost of attending games, you've heard about Twins pass? $59. Attend literally every single home game for $324. Want good seats while you do this? No problem. Stake out a place outside in the Truly On Deck seating just above sections 101-102. First come, first served.

How about the parking costs? $20 in a ramp! I won't do it. So street parking on 4th is $9 through the app. Going solo? Metro Transit costs less than $5 RT from a ton of locations. The North Star service returned last year for a lot of games.

I'm sorry the Twins didn't personally knock on your door and offer to sit down at the table to discuss all ways you could attend the games on your own or with a family for dramatically less money or even less money than going to the movie theater. 

[DJL44]

32 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

The food at the state fair is actually good. Not good for you, but much better quality than gas station quality hot dogs at Target Field. And a slice of Red Baron frozen pizza for $12 or whatever they’re charging. 

Target Field Food Ultimate Guide - Minnesota Twins Food | TSR

What to Eat at Target Field, Baseball Stadium of the Minnesota Twins - Eater Twin Cities

Kramarczuk sausages, Pizza Luce pizzas, Red Cow burgers, Hot Indian, Union Hmong Kitchen, Soul Bowl, Tony O's Cubano sandwiches, tons of craft beers. The food is at least as good as the State Fair.

[Unwinder]

52 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Want to attend a Twins game with lots of concessions for cheap? There are many options.

Wednesday is $1 hot dog day. At a dozen different vendors around Target Field, get a hod dog for $1. The Twins allow you to bring your own bottled water in for free. Buy Legends Landing seats to get free unlimited food/beverage. There are special family package deals as well. Food too expensive anyway? Fine. YOU CAN BRING YOUR OWN FOOD INTO TARGET FIELD. That's right. Read it again.

Gotta have that "craft" beer, do you? Well, around the neighborhood of Target Field, expect it to cost you $13 with tip at the bar for 16oz. Yeah, it's more at Target Field, but I've never seen somebody order a small at Drafts at 34. $20 is 20oz with tip. Need a beer for cheap? If your palate won't be ruined by the horrors of the typical American lagers... at the 3 sections of family pricing, get a 12oz can of Bud/Bud Light for $5.

Good season ticket packages drop the price by 15% which basically covers your tip. Good lower levels start at like $25 per game ($500 for 20 game packages) per seat. Want Wild Tickets? Upper level start at $71 per game ($781/seat for 11 games), and you're going to get terrible food for even more money. Vikings starts at $97 for the nosebleeds ($1,552 for 16 games). Get ready to pay through your bleeding nose for concessions as well. Oh, maybe the Timberwolves? They're so embarrassed by their prices, they don't even list them online. Maybe as a Twins fan site writer with such an in-depth knowledge of the cost of attending games, you've heard about Twins pass? $59. Attend literally every single home game for $324. Want good seats while you do this? No problem. Stake out a place outside in the Truly On Deck seating just above sections 101-102. First come, first served.

How about the parking costs? $20 in a ramp! I won't do it. So street parking on 4th is $9 through the app. Going solo? Metro Transit costs less than $5 RT from a ton of locations. The North Star service returned last year for a lot of games.

I'm sorry the Twins didn't personally knock on your door and offer to sit down at the table to discuss all ways you could attend the games on your own or with a family for dramatically less money or even less money than going to the movie theater. 

I appreciate that tickets are generally a lot cheaper than many entertainment options, but for the last few years, I've been skipping beverages, trying to eat fast food on the way to the game, carpooling with friends, and going to games on random weeknights against lousy opponents when tickets are cheaper. I'm glad to have cost-cutting options available (and I'm personally going to keep finding ways to go no matter what), but my experience would be a lot nicer if trying to have an affordable night out didn't make me feel like a 2nd-class citizen at Target field.

I'm not even saying that current prices are unacceptable, just that lowering them would increase my positive feelings toward the franchise and my goodwill toward the ownership quite a lot.

[bean5302]

@Vanimal46 you've not eaten much at Target Field, I expect. I'm 100% in agreement with @DJL44's post about good food being available at Twins games. Almost every place has good food.

The Red Cow 60/40 bacon sliders are outstanding. The chicken tikka masala at Hot Indian is also very good. While TD's sponsorship pushed Official Fried Chicken hard, it wasn't nearly as good last year though it has been pretty dang good in the past. Vegan/vegetarian? Chana Masala at Hot Indian is very good. Herbavorious Butcher has options. Then there are specialty items available at pretty much every pub spot.

Finding "gas station" (meaning bad quality/taste) food is actually very difficult at Twins games. The $1 twins dogs are good. They're small, but good, and they don't sit on the rollers for 2 days. While Union Hmong Kitchen gets listed as a good venue, it's actually one of the few places I'd say stinks. The Philly Cheesesteaks also suck. I think that's all I know of.

[bean5302]

Just now, Unwinder said:

I appreciate that tickets are generally a lot cheaper than many entertainment options, but for the last few years, I've been skipping beverages, trying to eat fast food on the way to the game, carpooling with friends, and going to games on random weeknights against lousy opponents when tickets are cheaper. I'm glad to have cost-cutting options available (and I'm personally going to keep finding ways to go no matter what), but my experience would be a lot nicer if trying to have an affordable night out didn't make me feel like a 2nd-class citizen at Target field.

Why fast food? I'm serious. Get a cheeseburger basket at Hennepin Grill. $15. It's good. It's better than a $14 double quarter pounder meal at McDonalds for sure, and it will fill you up. Get a beer at one of the self checkout kiosk locations. No tip. I do not tip if I have to check myself out.

I don't understand the 2nd class citizen thing?

Stop buying tickets in advance. There are only a couple games which "sold out" all last year. Tickets are always available at the box office when you walk up without the fees. Buy your tickets online through Seatgeek less than an hour from game time. They generally bottom out by 15 minutes before the game. I had to sell my club level seats for as little as $18/seat last year. So if you're paying more than face value for your tickets (including your fees) you've got better options. 

[Jocko87]

Plenty of ways to go to a game cheaply,  starting with eating before you go.  It's an easy solution but not in the spirit of the experience.  Baseball is meant to be enjoyed with food, peanuts at a minimum.

The question here is how to best service the fans without scaring them away.  The Falcons model is fascinating to me as they don't have an attendance issue but still choose reasonable pricing.  What does that model look like in an arena that always has seats available?  Could the Twins make up pricing with volume?

[Vanimal46]

11 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

@Vanimal46 you've not eaten much at Target Field, I expect. I'm 100% in agreement with @DJL44's post about good food being available at Twins games. Almost every place has good food.

The Red Cow 60/40 bacon sliders are outstanding. The chicken tikka masala at Hot Indian is also very good. While TD's sponsorship pushed Official Fried Chicken hard, it wasn't nearly as good last year though it has been pretty dang good in the past. Vegan/vegetarian? Chana Masala at Hot Indian is very good. Herbavorious Butcher has options. Then there are specialty items available at pretty much every pub spot.

Finding "gas station" (meaning bad quality/taste) food is actually very difficult at Twins games. The $1 twins dogs are good. They're small, but good, and they don't sit on the rollers for 2 days. While Union Hmong Kitchen gets listed as a good venue, it's actually one of the few places I'd say stinks. The Philly Cheesesteaks also suck. I think that's all I know of.

You are correct. I eat before I head to the stadium either at my house or a restaurant in North Loop. I will push back on the $1 hot dogs being good. They are not. Small and on a bun that’s a day away from being stale. 

[Unwinder]

6 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Why fast food? I'm serious. Get a cheeseburger basket at Hennepin Grill. $15. It's good. It's better than a $14 double quarter pounder meal at McDonalds for sure, and it will fill you up. Get a beer at one of the self checkout kiosk locations. No tip. I do not tip if I have to check myself out.

Coming in hot after work, gotta choose between good food and making the first couple of innings.

[Employee No. 4210]

Hopefully not starting a political discussion, but hoping for lesser concession prices when everyone from Walmart to Forbes to even the incoming president himself (finally admitting) saying that his planned tariffs are going to raise the price on nearly-everything is wishful thinking at best.*

 

*I don't know which foods and drinks specifically have their starts in foreign countries, so maybe there will be some local companies that aren't affected...

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

You are correct. I eat before I head to the stadium either at my house or a restaurant in North Loop. I will push back on the $1 hot dogs being good. They are not. Small and on a bun that’s a day away from being stale. 

The North Loop has some of the best places to eat in the state; it's an easy decision to pregame at the dozens of options in the neighborhood.

And hopefully new ownership will realize that the most attractive spot in the state, with the highest density population in the state is in their backyard. Why they don't market to the walkable crowd who already pay high end urban prices for food and services, instead of out-staters who no longer travel to games like they used to is a mind-blowingly shortsighted marketing blunder.

[Vanimal46]

12 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

The North Loop has some of the best places to eat in the state; it's an easy decision to pregame at the dozens of options in the neighborhood.

And hopefully new ownership will realize that the most attractive spot in the state, with the highest density population in the state is in their backyard. Why they don't market to the walkable crowd who already pay high end urban prices for food and services, instead of out-staters who no longer travel to games like they used to is a mind-blowingly shortsighted marketing blunder.

Every bar/restaurant in the neighborhood should have some sort of partnership with the Twins and Timberwolves for sure. Maybe not the high end places like Bar La Grassa, but a wing place like Runyons should absolutely have some Twins related specials. 

[Parfigliano]

19 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

The North Loop has some of the best places to eat in the state; it's an easy decision to pregame at the dozens of options in the neighborhood.

And hopefully new ownership will realize that the most attractive spot in the state, with the highest density population in the state is in their backyard. Why they don't market to the walkable crowd who already pay high end urban prices for food and services, instead of out-staters who no longer travel to games like they used to is a mind-blowingly shortsighted marketing blunder.

I'm an out of stater and my wife and I go to 3-6 games a year up there.

[DJL44]

23 minutes ago, Employee No. 4210 said:

Hopefully not starting a political discussion, but hoping for lesser concession prices when everyone from Walmart to Forbes to even the incoming president himself (finally admitting) saying that his planned tariffs are going to raise the price on nearly-everything is wishful thinking at best.*

Quote

one in four (25%) noncitizen workers was employed in service jobs, such as food preparation and health care support, compared with 18% of naturalized citizen and 15% of U.S.-born citizen workers

Employment Among Immigrants and Implications for Health and Health Care | KFF

Quote

nearly 1.7 million immigrants who are working in every step of the food supply chain

EW-FoodSupply-factsheet.pdf

I agree, your restaurant bill is certain to go up.

[Original_JB]

Now, I don't have kids to take to the game, but regardless of that, I'd rather see the prices consistent in the whole park, every day, than specialty 'discount this, that or the other' nights or certain 'sections' to sit in to qualify for certain concession discounts, or even having to show some sort of STH ID to get 15% off. The Twins need to realize that their customer base for the most part is well fed, and the need for food and beverages while at the game are simply extra treats/bonuses/amenities to the game, not necessities. So you need to price things accordingly. I pay $8-9 for a 22oz Furious at the bar, so when I walk by a vendor selling a 16oz can for $14 (or more), it is very easy to just mentally "pass" and not get one at all. At $9-10, I might have a few. $6/$7 for the 20oz Coke that's $2 at Speedway? Yes, I realize, like at the theaters, they have a captive audience and need to make some money, but to me, that level of FU pricing makes it really easy to bypass the concessions altogether. It's sort of like if you aren't giving them $50, they don't want any. Along with the $15 helmet sundaes, they should have $3 soft serve cones. I always thought that gas station prices were high (for the food/drinks), but the reality is, you could double those prices and still be at a lower price point than what they charge at Target Field (for similar items--yes I realize they also have top-notch eats at the game, but those are not the big profit makers).

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Parfigliano said:

I'm an out of stater and my wife and I go to 3-6 games a year up there.

I used to go to more, but I'm down to about two games a year. Kids are tough! They don't need to market to me though, and I don't need the small-town, homespun marketing that they seem to think is right up the alley of ma and pa in the sticks.

They should be marketing to the "What should we do tonight?" crowd that can make a game work on more than just weekends and don't have to plan for traffic.

[Teflon]

3 hours ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

Movie theaters do not really make money on movie tickets, just like convenience stores do not make money on gasoline.  Their main income comes from the inflated prices of the goods the sell. 

This is the honest truth. The amount of bulk popcorn you could purchase for the price of a movie theater popcorn tub would fill an SUV when popped.  That large movie theater soda is a about 85% carbonated water.  Both are probably still under $1 to produce. The theaters only make about 30% of the ticket price in profit. The other 70% goes to the distributor. Given the continued decline in attendance, I don't see how theaters can continue to operate.

[nicksaviking]

59 minutes ago, Teflon said:

This is the honest truth. The amount of bulk popcorn you could purchase for the price of a movie theater popcorn tub would fill an SUV when popped.  That large movie theater soda is a about 85% carbonated water.  Both are probably still under $1 to produce. The theaters only make about 30% of the ticket price in profit. The other 70% goes to the distributor. Given the continued decline in attendance, I don't see how theaters can continue to operate.

And I think it's less than that for some major studio movies, and some of those studios make them guarantee that they'll show the film on x amount of screens for x amount of weeks, which would cause them to lose money on the movie itself.

[theBOMisthebomb]

8 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Want to attend a Twins game with lots of concessions for cheap? There are many options.

Wednesday is $1 hot dog day. At a dozen different vendors around Target Field, get a hod dog for $1. The Twins allow you to bring your own bottled water in for free. Buy Legends Landing seats to get free unlimited food/beverage. There are special family package deals as well. Food too expensive anyway? Fine. YOU CAN BRING YOUR OWN FOOD INTO TARGET FIELD. That's right. Read it again.

Gotta have that "craft" beer, do you? Well, around the neighborhood of Target Field, expect it to cost you $13 with tip at the bar for 16oz. Yeah, it's more at Target Field, but I've never seen somebody order a small at Drafts at 34. $20 is 20oz with tip. Need a beer for cheap? If your palate won't be ruined by the horrors of the typical American lagers... at the 3 sections of family pricing, get a 12oz can of Bud/Bud Light for $5.

Good season ticket packages drop the price by 15% which basically covers your tip. Good lower levels start at like $25 per game ($500 for 20 game packages) per seat. Want Wild Tickets? Upper level start at $71 per game ($781/seat for 11 games), and you're going to get terrible food for even more money. Vikings starts at $97 for the nosebleeds ($1,552 for 16 games). Get ready to pay through your bleeding nose for concessions as well. Oh, maybe the Timberwolves? They're so embarrassed by their prices, they don't even list them online. Maybe as a Twins fan site writer with such an in-depth knowledge of the cost of attending games, you've heard about Twins pass? $59. Attend literally every single home game for $324. Want good seats while you do this? No problem. Stake out a place outside in the Truly On Deck seating just above sections 101-102. First come, first served.

How about the parking costs? $20 in a ramp! I won't do it. So street parking on 4th is $9 through the app. Going solo? Metro Transit costs less than $5 RT from a ton of locations. The North Star service returned last year for a lot of games.

I'm sorry the Twins didn't personally knock on your door and offer to sit down at the table to discuss all ways you could attend the games on your own or with a family for dramatically less money or even less money than going to the movie theater. 

It is right there on their website: https://www.mlb.com/twins/ballpark/information/guide#f-content

Bring your own bottled water, bring your own food! 

The 2024 family friendly concession stands were more than reasonable if you were willing to simply walk to one of them:

https://www.mlb.com/twins/ballpark/concessions

Family-Friendly Pricing

Item Sections/Portables Price

Hot Dog Sections: 120, 133, 311 $3.99

Soft Pretzel Sections: 120, 133, 311 $3.99

Popcorn Sections: 120, 133, 311 $2.99

Peanuts Sections: 120, 133, 311 $2.99

Fountain Soda Sections: 120, 133, 311 $1.99

Bud/Bud Light Can Sections: 120, 133, 311 $4.99

Bottle Aquafina Sections: 120, 133, 311 $3.99

Ice Cream Novelty Sections 120, 133, 311 $3.49

 

This is just bellyaching and a lazy comment: "For a family of four, it’s not uncommon for the concessions bill alone to sit in the $150 range for a single game." If you are that concerned about the food budget for attending a Twins game, why not eat a hearty meal before leaving for the ballpark? Or grabbing some cheap affordable food on your drive to the ballpark and eat in the car so you aren't hungry at the ballpark? You are going to have to eat and have some expense whether you go to Target Field or stay home so there will be some cost regardless. In my opinion, I think it's reasonable to eat at home, go to the ballpark for a day game and (gasp) not eat there and come back home 5 hours later and have your next meal. For a 7 pm game, why can't you eat dinner at 5 pm before leaving for the ballpark and be done eating for the night. 

Why complain? Either go and enjoy and employ some of the affordable options mentioned here, stay home, or drop the complaints.

One more affordable option is the family section where they load a hot dog, chips, and soda on each ticket. I did it when my children were very young and it was enough food for them and they got their own.  No sharing with siblings. 

Anyway, whatever. You do realize that Major League was a movie and not reality? They still have $1 dog nights today and I have never seen the dogs sold out. 

Enjoy life and enjoy the games and ballpark experience. If it's too expensive for you, I'm sorry. Just know there are reasonable and affordable options with just a little bit of effort. 

[tonderk]

I work in concessions at Target Field - ask me anything

[LewFordLives]

 

5 hours ago, tonderk said:

I work in concessions at Target Field - ask me anything

Why did they get rid of the hot dog vendors that patrol the stands?

[tonderk]

@LewFordLives I'm not 100% sure, but I would guess not enough vendors on staff.  I will check!