Target Field's Attendance Problem Goes Beyond the Organization's Inflated Numbers

[ziggy]

6 hours ago, theBOMisthebomb said:

You went to the highest price, in demand game in years, so yes you are going to pay a premium. You were blessed to see perhaps the greatest baseball player ever pitch and hit in the same game against the popular Twins ace. Why complain about the cost? 

FYI, you can take a family to Target Field for about $25 if you are smart about it, I'm doing so today with free tickets on the Kwik Trip app, walking a few extra minutes to park, and bringing my own drinks and food (both allowed). 

I looked and there were not any free tickets available for Wednesday's game online. None today either. I bought the tickets online from a reseller on MLB. 

My point, which was missed, was that it's expensive for those of us who simply want to see a game without a big hassle to save pennies. Part of the game experience is hot dogs, snacks and a souvineer. If my memory is correct the 'value stands' have limited options and there are only 3 of them on the first level.

If people want to pack sandwiches and bring their own beverages go ahead. I'll go to town team baseball. It's a viable option instead of the Twins. Which may or may not be part of the attendance problem. 

And ownerships right sizing the payroll and shipping off 10 players last year shows me how committed they are to winning now.

[DJL44]

21 minutes ago, ziggy said:

I looked and there were not any free tickets available for Wednesday's game online. None today either. I bought the tickets online from a reseller on MLB. 

My point, which was missed, was that it's expensive for those of us who simply want to see a game without a big hassle to save pennies. Part of the game experience is hot dogs, snacks and a souvineer. If my memory is correct the 'value stands' have limited options and there are only 3 of them on the first level.

If people want to pack sandwiches and bring their own beverages go ahead. I'll go to town team baseball. It's a viable option instead of the Twins. Which may or may not be part of the attendance problem. 

And ownerships right sizing the payroll and shipping off 10 players last year shows me how committed they are to winning now.

It's expensive if you want to go to the most in-demand game in several years. They're running a four tickets for $20 special for several games this summer, some are dollar hot dog nights. Parking was $15 the last time I attended and I saw lots for $12. It's pretty easy for 4 people to attend a Twins game for less than $100 if you do any planning at all.

Town ball is fun, but it's not really the same product. Town ball is about getting together in your community and supporting your friends. It is like the difference between the Minnesota State Fair and a church carnival.

 

[Vanimal46]

I’ve never looked into Minnesota United tix before because MLS soccer isn’t an interest of mine. But I can say with 100% confidence that attending a Twins game is the cheapest ticket in town compared to Timberwolves, Wild, and Vikings. 

Wolves and Wild you’re spending $80 minimum for a decent ticket. The Vikings are hundreds of dollars per ticket. 

[ziggy]

Quote

It's expensive if you want to go to the most in-demand game in several years. They're running a four tickets for $20 special for several games this summer, some are dollar hot dog nights. Parking was $15 the last time I attended and I saw lots for $12.

Are the tickets lower deck outfield where the kids have a chance of catching a home rum ball? I'm not going to buy cheap seats and then move to a higher priced area. I would consider that theft.

Parking in the ramp was $25. It is the most convent place to park for me. Garage A and B drop me right on 394 and I'm on my way home. It chaos enough leaving the game with out adding to it by a parking in a lot blocks away.

I'm not going to become a salami slicer just to attend a Twins game. I will use summer sausage instead.

Which is to say the Twins have ticket competition, be it town team baseball, the Wild, Lynx, Saints, Kernals or pitching horseshoes. 

I am willing to reciprocate back to ownership the amount I feel they are giving to the fans. A game or 2 this year feels about right. 

[Hubie29]

On 6/27/2026 at 8:03 AM, Sjoski said:

It's easy to pointing to:

1/ ownership’s payroll slashes,

2/ a mediocre product on the field,

3/ and April/May weather.

I agree. That's a ...

 Strike 3.

But there’s a massive elephant in the room that this fan base—and the local sports media—completely refuses to acknowledge.

The real attendance crisis isn't just about baseball. It’s about the city itself.

For a massive segment of the suburban fan base, the calculation for a night out completely changed after 2020. What used to be a seamless, routine trip downtown now feels like navigating a political minefield and a landscape a lot of folks simply no longer want to support or step foot in.

When you combine a hollowed-out downtown climate with premium parking rates, expensive tickets, and an ownership group that actively signal-flashed a surrender on the season before it even began, the magnet is gone.

Free tickets won’t fix it. Cheap beer  barely moves the needle. If the team won't invest in the fans, and the city doesn't feel like the welcoming entertainment hub it used to be, a lot of us aren't even stepping into the batter's box anymore.

Even though Mnpls has definite politically caused issues, I would think most fans can separate baseball entertainment from politics. 

[NYCTK]

10 minutes ago, ziggy said:

Are the tickets lower deck outfield where the kids have a chance of catching a home rum ball? I'm not going to buy cheap seats and then move to a higher priced area. I would consider that theft.

Parking in the ramp was $25. It is the most convent place to park for me. Garage A and B drop me right on 394 and I'm on my way home. It chaos enough leaving the game with out adding to it by a parking in a lot blocks away.

I'm not going to become a salami slicer just to attend a Twins game. I will use summer sausage instead.

Which is to say the Twins have ticket competition, be it town team baseball, the Wild, Lynx, Saints, Kernals or pitching horseshoes. 

I am willing to reciprocate back to ownership the amount I feel they are giving to the fans. A game or 2 this year feels about right. 

I'm sorry, but if you're going to require a specific experience, bordering on premium, then you can't also complain about the cost. 

The beauty of baseball is you can go for so cheap if you choose to. You chose not to, which is fine, but then means the $115 per person package cost isn't all that excessive. 

[Sjoski]

19 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

Your world-view could stand an injection of empathy and understanding.  

How can you possibly use the word "respect" in a completely judgemental statement? How would you have a clue what my world view is? I let facts and numbers do the talking.  Minneapolis can't even hire the mandatory number of police officers to stay legal. And will soon be facing the consequences. 

●●●

 

• The court has given the city until January 4, 2027, to comply with the charter mandate. If the city remains under 731 officers by that deadline, the mayor faces a trial in April 2027 where he could be held in contempt of court.

 

[farmerguychris]

I don't think its that hard.  Baseball in MN has a lot more 'fair weather' fans than either the Wild or Vikings do.  That should be a good thing, because they have so many more home games to fill.  

Thinking back to the crowds in 2023 - I'm sure a lot of those seats were filled with 'fair weather' fans who were thrilled to be at the park to see a winning team.  

Fast forward to today and the only people at games are those who are on sites like this - people who pay attention beyond just when things are going well.

Fans show up when they win.  When they don't compete - fair weather fans can find other things to do.  The team is getting the attendance they deserve - if they want more people to care, they need to do a better job of putting a product on the field the 'average' fan cares about, and  yes - that often involves spending more money on higher quality players.  Its not required, but it won't hurt either if gaining fans is a goal.