Record-Low Attendance Puts Minnesota Twins at a Crossroads

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins and their fans find themselves in a tough spot. Following a massive trade deadline sell-off and ownership’s decision to halt a potential sale of the team, frustration is running high across Twins Territory. Combine that with inconsistent play on the field, and the result has been heavily felt in the stands at Target Field.

Setting the Wrong Kind of Record
Tuesday night’s home game against the Chicago White Sox painted a sobering picture. On a beautiful 75-degree evening, the Twins announced a crowd of 11,721 fans, a number that was boosted thanks to about 300 dogs for “Bark at the Park Night.” That figure marked the lowest September attendance in Target Field history, breaking the old mark of 14,222 set in 2021.

It wasn’t just a blip. This year’s overall home attendance is on pace to finish at 1.8 million fans, down from 1.95 million last season. That drop would make 2025 the lowest-attended full season in Target Field’s 16-year history. For a franchise that relies heavily on season-ticket sales locked in before the year even begins, that trend is concerning as the organization looks ahead to 2026.

Much of next season’s attendance picture will be shaped by what happens this winter. The Twins’ season-ticket base has long been the backbone of Target Field crowds, and if renewals decline sharply, it will be challenging to avoid swaths of empty seats next year.

The challenge is not only convincing fans to come back, but also rebuilding trust in an era where patience has worn thin. That’s no small task, but it’s not impossible.

5 Ways to Bring Fans Back
Winning is always the best cure for empty seats, but the Twins can take specific steps to avoid Target Field looking like a ghost town next season:

1. Keep Core Players in Place
Fans need to see a commitment to competing. Holding on to pitchers like Pablo López and Joe Ryan (instead of shopping them around) would send a strong message that the front office still believes in this roster’s potential. 

2. Promote Young Talent Early
Minnesota has some of baseball’s most exciting prospects, and fans want to see them. Giving players like Walker Jenkins or Emmanuel Rodriguez a chance to debut early in 2026 would inject energy and buzz around the club. An offseason extension for Jenkins (a la the one Jackson Chourio signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in December 2023), though unlikely, would be an especially compelling and concrete way to ratchet up anticipation for his arrival.

3. Be Active in Free Agency
The Twins don’t need to spend like the Dodgers to win back fans, but targeted moves—especially on offense—could help build credibility. Adding veterans who can make an immediate impact would show that the organization isn’t simply focused on cutting costs. After dumping payroll at the deadline, there should be room to add salary for next season. Some substantial number of fans won't believe the team is serious about winning again until they splash some cash; ownership needs to demonstrate that they understand that.

4. Enhance the Fan Experience
When the team struggles, the ballpark can still be a draw. Keeping concessions affordable, improving season-ticket perks, and expanding family-friendly promotions could help keep fans engaged, even when the standings aren’t as kind. The Colorado Rockies are one of baseball’s worst teams and still draw an average of over 30,000 fans per game. Despite underinvestment in the roster and sluggish attendance, the Twins rank in the middle of the pack in affordability; they can and should make it more affordable for working-class fans and families to come to the park.

5. Communicate a Clear Direction
Transparency matters. Whether the Twins view 2026 as a retooling season or believe they can contend, fans want honesty. Clear communication from leadership can help manage expectations and show that the franchise values its supporters.
 

Target Field Attendance By Season
2024	1.95 million
2023	1.97 million
2022	1.80 million
2020-21 (COVID)	1.31 million
2019	2.30 million
2018	1.96 million
2017	2.05 million

A Crossroads Moment
Target Field has been one of MLB’s most beautiful venues since it opened in 2010, but its charm alone can’t fill the seats. Fans want to believe in this team again, and they’ve proven in the past that they’ll show up when there’s excitement on the field and accountability in the front office.

The Twins now face a critical offseason. If they can find the right balance between developing young stars, retaining proven players, and showing real investment in the product, they’ll give fans reasons to come back. If not, the sight of empty seats and even the occasional barking fan could become all too familiar in 2026.

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How else can the Twins get more fans into the seats for 2026? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[TopGunn#22]

What did the Pohlad family expect???  And the list of things to do?  When have they done any of that?  There's been talk the Pohlad's may still be interested in selling.  I hope that's true.  Because the longer the Pohlad family holds on to the Twins, the more money they're going to lose.  

If anyone thinks attendance can't go lower than $1.8 million...think again.  

Now, the team COULD make a number of excellent trades this winter.  They COULD sign or acquire a young, major league catcher and 1B.  They could sign a bona fide closer looking to rebuild his value (there are a number available.  Several teams traded their closer to a team that already has a closer).  

They could actually fire their FO, manager and his entire coaching staff and chart a new course.

But we all know that's probably NOT going to happen.  You can only sell "Hopium" for so long.  

SELL Pohlad's !!!  This fan base despises you.  

[Whitey333]

Nice article.  The Rwins need to make changes.  B I think Falvey and especially usually Baldelli have to go.  You need a real spokes person for the team.  Not someone like or Joe Pohlad who has a good knack for sticking his foot in his mouth.  Bring back some fan friendly players from the past to help market the team and let them get hands on with the fans.  Someone in this crazy organization needs to take responsibility for the state of the team.  This isn't just another business it's cemented in the state and community.  People have a vested interest in the team especially as it's related to some taxes being used to build it in the first place.  People want to know that ownership actually cares about their fans and the product they put on the field. 

[thelanges5]

One, some, or all of the things listed would be great. All they’ve done since October 2023 is the exact opposite. I have little to no faith that they will do anything to make this team watchable/likeable in 2026.

[Hrbeks Divot]

Number 5 on the list is most important to me. If you’re going into rebuild mode then communicate it. I’d watch a 90 loss team if it was part of a stated plan. I’m a working class partial season ticket holder. I want to believe in the team but I need to know what my investment means. Tell me. Show me. Make me want to continue to care!

[DJL44]

The value for the ticket price just hasn't been there. I have more fun at a Saints game for less money.

[Parfigliano]

12 minutes ago, thelanges5 said:

One, some, or all of the things listed would be great. All they’ve done since October 2023 is the exact opposite. I have little to no faith that they will do anything to make this team watchable/likeable in 2026.

I don't think they know how to.  I think their actions show they don't care to learn.   I think they will be perfectly happy to cut payroll further sit back collect MLB checks and become an AL Central Pittsburgh.

[HerbieFan]

I think the "Crossroad" came in October 2023 when Little Joey announced they were cutting payroll eight months or so after signing Correa and then winning a playoff series.  We are well past the so-called crossroads.

[Glorybound]

The Pohlads misdirection about selling the team will NEVER be forgotten. Not next year or the year after. NEVER NEVER ever.

[StiltedGopher]

Number 1 to 5.  
1. Pohlads sell.  
2. Pohlads sell. 
3. Pohlads sell. 
4. Pohlads sell. 
5. Pohlads sell. 

[Twinkies are for eating]

Too little too late. There is absolutely nothing the Pohlads can or will do to win back the trust of loyal Twins fans. Carl Pohlads was the inspiration for Montgomery Burns. Every passing season his dead a$$ reminds me more and more of the fictional character. The guy literally foreclosed farms in person during the Great Depression. It’s time for Twins fans to shut it down. Stop going to the games at this beautiful stadium us taxpayers helped fund. Really funny how that point never gets brought up to the Pohlads anymore. Use your mlb team to bankroll your financial losses. Some where deep down Bud Selig and Carl Pohlad are rubbing their hands together as Monty Burns laugher fills Hells caverns

[CRF]

There's only one thing that will point this franchise in the right direction. ONLY one thing. That one thing...is a new ownership group. Nothing will change until that happens. 

[NJTwin]

Fans need to make a stand.  No season ticket renewals, no walk up sales even on nice days, No sign up for any available streaming services.  Sign Ryan?  I agree but what makes u think he wants to stay around with  this dumpster fire of an ownership family still in charge.  Trades?  Not with Falvey in charge.  If u continue to watch this pruct, u are simply Pohlad compliant.  

[RpR]

Five Dollar Fine For Whining

 

We're a fun lovin' crowd, kinda rowdy and loud
Our jukebox won't play no sad songs
So don't come in here, and cry in your beer
'Cause we don't care 'bout who done who wrong

We've got a five dollar fine for whining
We'll tell you before you come in
If it ain't on your mind to have a good time

Ya'll come back and see us again

Well we don't really care about your clothes or your hair
This party is open to all
Yeah we like a good joke, and it's alright to smoke
We got just one rule on the wall

 

[Reptevia]

The Pohlad’s (nor the fans) believe this team is competitive. The window is painted shut. They will likely trade Pablo and Ryan, and at that point, Buxton should demand a trade. 

[Doctor Gast]

IMO, none of those suggestions will help. The only thing that will help if you're not selling the team is to dismantle Falvey's rule with it's weird analytic philosophies, void of any baseball intelligence & inability to initiate essential trades. #1) If Falvey can't build off a proven '23 core how can he put together a competitive team from a fractured one? So keeping the existing core won't help us to win. #2) The dismantling of our beloved core to save money was very painful. How can you turn around & throw money away at FAs? IMO, that'd be a slap in the face. #3) Bringing up prospects like Jenkins, just to bring them up can backfire if they aren't ready. #4) One thing that Falvey likes to do is talk, pretending he knows what needs to be done. Twins fandom is sick & tired of his BS. Getting fans drunk with free beer won't help.

Again, 1st step is to clean house, From Falvey on down, effective immediately. 2nd step is to hire Andy MacPhail, who is baseball smart, as the interim President of baseball operations so he can mentor his son Drew as the FO. I trust them to be able to put together a team like MIL, picking a coaching staff that develops our players the right way & a baseball-smart manager who puts winning above his preferences.

Then we can think about keeping our remaining core & trade for essential players to fill it out (NO FAs). Once we get someone in that knows what he's doing & has a clear path to succeed, then that'd be easy to sell to the fan base. Get the past Twins' heroes back to support the team. Then fans will want to come & promotions will help to fill out Target Field.

[Nshore]

Joe Pohlad "right sized" the payroll and he "right sized"  the attendance.  Excellent work Little Joe.

[mikelink45]

The Pohlad story from contraction to cut payrolls has been a series of missteps from a family that is supposed to be business wise.  You could fool me.  

This is a deaf ownership and they have made one error after another in public relations.  Sure we could lose the Twins, but unfortunately when it happens the population as a whole might say who cares and there is not much us devoted fans can do about it.

[mnfireman]

Did ownership expect anything else? This team was set up to make a run for years to come after the 2023 season, then ownership (because they wanted to trim costs to sell?) decides to basically tear the team apart. If this is the current generation of Pohlad's idea of a successful business model, then the older generation is rolling over in their graves...

[HerbieFan]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

picking a coaching staff that develops our players the right way

The most important thing to winning organizations....and the thing the current regime is the worst at, and it rarely gets mentioned.  It's not just about payroll.

[Sjoski]

I work in advertising....here's the campaign they need to run.

 

 

[The Great Hambino]

4 minutes ago, Sjoski said:

I work in advertising....here's the campaign they need to run.

 

 

Pants on TC Bear? Blasphemy

[D.C Twins]

How can I put this in Minnesota terms.... how abouooot..

You reap what you sow.... ya know... you bet ya do.... 

[JADBP]

There is NOTHING on the planet that the Pohlads can do to rebuild trust.  Absolutely zero!!
 

ESPECIALLY JOE!  

[JADBP]

Hey. News Flash! Attendance went UP today!  By a miserable 183 people.  Or dogs.  
 

Remember, the listed attendance is only the number of tickets sold,  is is NOT the number of fans in seats.  From the looks of things, I’d guess it was actually well below 11,000. Maybe the added the dogs to the count?

 

oh, and todays game….pathetic 9th inning.  Both Buxton and Larnach get on base then 3 pitches say outs.  It’s as if Rocco doesn’t care, doesn’t even bother trying.  They camera panned to him once and he had a deadpan, bored, “who gives a f” look in his face!

[glunn]

I hope that the next owner is someone who had to work hard & smart to build his or her fortune.

[Doc Lenz]

5 hours ago, Twinkies are for eating said:

Too little too late. There is absolutely nothing the Pohlads can or will do to win back the trust of loyal Twins fans. Carl Pohlads was the inspiration for Montgomery Burns. Every passing season his dead a$$ reminds me more and more of the fictional character. The guy literally foreclosed farms in person during the Great Depression. It’s time for Twins fans to shut it down. Stop going to the games at this beautiful stadium us taxpayers helped fund. Really funny how that point never gets brought up to the Pohlads anymore. Use your mlb team to bankroll your financial losses. Some where deep down Bud Selig and Carl Pohlad are rubbing their hands together as Monty Burns laugher fills Hells caverns

You should check the facts before pontificating. Carl graduated from High School 🏫 n 1934 in Des Moines moved to California and went to Jr. College then to Gonzaga U. Then served in WW2 and earned the Purple Heart. Not much time to foreclose on farms.

[Scott not the real Smiley]

1, 3, & 4 involve cutting margins. I don’t see it happening, and I think there’s a lot more going on in Denver than fan experience. Historically, 2 has not been much of a boost  if you look at Hrbek’s run at ROY in ‘82, the anticipation of Guzman & Hunter in the lineup in ‘99, nor even the absolute hype of Sano & Buxton arriving in 2015 produced meaningful bumps in attendance. The only thing that hasn’t been tried is 5, but I don’t know who would trust it without verification. Winning likely is the only way with this regime.

[nclahammer]

It's only a 20 game season ticket package, but after the cost doubling in price since 2010 and the perks gradually disappearing, I dropped my season tickets for next year.

[Twinkie in Deutschland]

5 hours ago, Doc Lenz said:

You should check the facts before pontificating. Carl graduated from High School 🏫 n 1934 in Des Moines moved to California and went to Jr. College then to Gonzaga U. Then served in WW2 and earned the Purple Heart. Not much time to foreclose on farms.

The Twins will have another enemy to contend with: Donald J Trump. While he failed to buy the team in 1983, Trump is definitely eyeing teams like the Twins who are tanking, just so he can swoop down, buy the franchise and move it out of state, leaving us without a baseball team. We all know he has a total hatred toward Minnesota, but we also know he cannot stand to watch the Minnesota Losers lose intentionally. I wrote a lengthy article about this topic and have left the Pohlads with one stern warning: "Invest to compete for next year or watch the Twins disappear completely." There is a time to tank the team but this is NOT the time to do so if the Pohlads are serious about keeping the team in Minnesota. Link: https://flensburgerfiles.wordpress.com/2025/09/04/word-of-the-week-tanking/