List of Major League Baseball attendance records explained

Most attended game in history

The all-time attendance record of 115,300 was set at a preseason game between the defending champions Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers on March 29, 2008, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.[1] [2] According to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, this is the only baseball game where the 100,000 figure has been definitively exceeded.[3]

Least attended game in history

The record was set on September 28, 1882, in game between the Troy Trojans and the Worcesters in Worcester, Massachusetts, which some reports had only six spectators attend. As both clubs had been notified that they were being dropped from the National League, fans had very little interest in watching the lame-duck teams,[4] especially on a day which the Boston Globe described as "bleak, cold and windy".[5]

This record does not count games played behind closed doors by governmental authority. Games that were played as such included the April 29, 2015 game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, which was closed because of safety concerns surrounding the 2015 Baltimore protests,[6] and the majority of the 2020 season (only the NLCS and World Series had spectators) which was closed to fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Highest and lowest season home totals, by team

The following shows the highest and lowest season home totals by team since 1903, excluding the 1918, 1981, 2020, and 2021 seasons.

Team nameSeasonHighest attendancePer game averageBallparkSeasonLowest attendancePer game averageBallpark
Arizona Diamondbacks[7] 19983,610,290 44,571Bank One Ballpark20162,036,21625,138Chase Field
Atlanta Braves19933,884,72047,960Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium1911116,0001,547South End Grounds III
Baltimore Orioles19973,711,13245,816Oriole Park at Camden Yards193580,9221,065Sportsman's Park III
Boston Red Sox20093,062,69937,811Fenway Park1932182,1502,366Fenway Park and Braves Field
Chicago Cubs20083,300,20040,743Wrigley Field1914202,5162,665West Side Grounds
Chicago White Sox20062,957,41436,511U.S. Cellular Field1932233,1983,029Comiskey Park I
Cincinnati Reds19762,629,70832,466Riverfront Stadium1914100,7911,309Redland Field
Cleveland Guardians19993,468,45642,820Jacobs Field1915159,2852,069League Park II
Colorado Rockies19934,483,35055,350Mile High Stadium20051,914,38923,634Coors Field
Detroit Tigers20083,202,64539,539Comerica Park1906174,0432,231Bennett Park
Houston Astros20043,087,87238,122Minute Maid Park1963719,5028,883Colt Stadium
Kansas City Royals[8] 20152,708,54933,439Kauffman Stadium1970693,0478,773Municipal Stadium
Los Angeles Angels[9] 20063,406,79042,059Angel Stadium of Anaheim1965566,7277,064Dodger Stadium
Los Angeles Dodgers20193,974,30949,066Dodger Stadium1914122,6711,553Ebbets Field
Miami Marlins19933,064,84737,838Joe Robbie Stadium2018811,10410,014Marlins Park
Milwaukee Brewers20113,071,37337,918Miller Park1972600,4407,601County Stadium
Minnesota Twins[10] 20103,223,64039,798Target Field1903128,8781,815American League Park I
New York Mets20084,042,04549,902Shea Stadium1979788,9059,621Shea Stadium
New York Yankees20084,298,65553,070Yankee Stadium1903211,8083,161Hilltop Park
Oakland Athletics19902,900,21735,805Oakland Coliseum1915146,2231,976Shibe Park
Philadelphia Phillies[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] 20113,680,71845,440Citizens Bank Park1914138,4741,775Baker Bowl
Pittsburgh Pirates20152,498,59630,847PNC Park1914139,6201,813Forbes Field
Seattle Mariners20023,542,93843,740Safeco Field1983813,53710,044Kingdome
St. Louis Cardinals20073,552,18043,854Busch Stadium1919167,0592,421Robison Field
San Diego Padres20233,271,55440,390Petco Park1969512,9706,333San Diego Stadium
San Francisco Giants[16] 20113,387,30341,819AT&T Park1914364,3134,554Polo Grounds V
Tampa Bay Rays19982,506,29330,942Tropicana Field20031,058,69513,070Tropicana Field
Texas Rangers20123,460,28042,720The Ballpark in Arlington1963535,6046,695D.C. Stadium
Toronto Blue Jays19934,057,94750,098SkyDome19821,275,97815,753Exhibition Stadium
Washington Nationals20052,731,99333,728R.F.K. Stadium2001642,7457,935Olympic Stadium
The highest per game attendance average is held by the Colorado Rockies in 1994 with 57,570 for 57 home games at Mile High Stadium during the strike shortened season.

The 1918 season is excluded as it was shortened due to travel restrictions caused by World War I.

The 1981 season is excluded due to the players' strike that cancelled almost two months' worth of games.

The 2020 and 2021 seasons are excluded due to the COVID-19 pandemic that caused restrictions on public gatherings.

4 million or more home attendance totals

Toronto Blue Jays became the first team in baseball history to draw 4 million mark in attendance in 1991 season.

Team nameSeasonHome attendancePer gameBallpark
Colorado Rockies19934,483,35055,350Mile High Stadium
New York Yankees20084,298,65553,070Yankee Stadium
New York Yankees20074,271,86752,739Yankee Stadium
New York Yankees20064,248,06752,445Yankee Stadium
New York Yankees20054,090,69650,502Yankee Stadium
Toronto Blue Jays19934,057,94750,098SkyDome
New York Mets20084,042,04549,902Shea Stadium
Toronto Blue Jays19924,028,31849,732SkyDome
Toronto Blue Jays19914,001,52749,402SkyDome

Progression of home field attendance record

SeasonTeamHome attendancePer gameBallpark
1993Colorado Rockies[17] 4,483,35055,350Mile High Stadium
1992 Toronto Blue Jays[18] 4,028,31849,732SkyDome
1991 Toronto Blue Jays4,001,52749,402SkyDome
1990Toronto Blue Jays3,885,28447,966SkyDome
1982Los Angeles Dodgers3,608,88144,554Dodger Stadium
1978 Los Angeles Dodgers[19] 3,347,845 41,331Dodger Stadium
1977 2,955,087 36,483Dodger Stadium
1962 Los Angeles Dodgers2,755,184 33,195 Dodger Stadium
1948 Cleveland Indians[20] 2,620,627 33,172 Cleveland Stadium
1946 New York Yankees2,265,512 29,422 Yankee Stadium
1929Chicago Cubs[21] 1,485,16619,041 Wrigley Field
1920 New York Yankees[22] 1,289,422 16,746 Polo Grounds IV
1908 New York Giants[23] 910,000 11,375 Polo Grounds III
1905 Chicago White Sox687,419 8,383 South Side Park II
1904 Boston Americans623,295 7,695 Huntington Avenue Grounds
1903 New York Giants579,530 8,279 Polo Grounds III
1895 Philadelphia Phillies[24] 474,971 7,142 Baker Bowl
1894 New York Giants387,000 5,650 Polo Grounds III
1888 New York Giants305,4554,663Polo Grounds II
1887 New York Giants270,9454,406Polo Grounds II
1883 St. Louis Browns (AA)[25] 243,0004,959South End Grounds

Highest and lowest attendance by season

SeasonTeam With Highest AttendanceHigh AttendanceTeam With Lowest AttendanceLow Attendance
2023Los Angeles Dodgers[26] 3,837,079Oakland Athletics832,352
2022Los Angeles Dodgers[27] 3,861,408Oakland Athletics787,902
2021Los Angeles Dodgers[28] 2,804,693Miami Marlins642,617
2020Los Angeles Dodgers77,407 [29] 27 Teams tied All regular season games and games in the first two (National League) or three (American League) rounds of postseason games played behind closed doors because of pandemic. MLB0
2019Los Angeles Dodgers[30] 3,974,309Miami Marlins[31] 811,302
2018Los Angeles Dodgers3,857,500Miami Marlins811,104
2017Los Angeles Dodgers3,765,856Tampa Bay Rays[32] 1,253,619
2016Los Angeles Dodgers3,703,312Tampa Bay Rays1,286,163
2015Los Angeles Dodgers3,764,815Tampa Bay Rays1,287,054
2014Los Angeles Dodgers3,782,337Cleveland Indians[33] 1,437,393
2013Los Angeles Dodgers3,743,527Tampa Bay Rays1,510,300
2012Philadelphia Phillies3,565,718Tampa Bay Rays1,559,681
2011Philadelphia Phillies3,680,718Oakland Athletics1,476,791
2010Philadelphia Phillies3,777,322Cleveland Indians1,391,644
2009Los Angeles Dodgers3,761,655Oakland Athletics1,408,783
2008New York Yankees[34] 4,298,655Florida Marlins1,335,076
2007New York Yankees4,271,083Florida Marlins1,370,511
2006New York Yankees4,248,067Florida Marlins1,164,134
2005New York Yankees4,090,696Tampa Bay Devil Rays1,141,669
2004New York Yankees3,775,292Montreal Expos[35] 749,550
2003New York Yankees3,465,600Montreal Expos1,025,639
2002Seattle Mariners[36] 3,542,938Montreal Expos812,045
2001Seattle Mariners3,507,326Montreal Expos642,745
2000Cleveland Indians3,456,278Montreal Expos926,272
1999Colorado Rockies[37] 3,481,065Montreal Expos773,277
1998Colorado Rockies3,792,683Montreal Expos914,909
1997Colorado Rockies3,888,453Oakland Athletics1,264,218
1996Colorado Rockies3,891,014Oakland Athletics1,148,380
1995Colorado Rockies3,390,037Pittsburgh Pirates[38] 905,517
1994Colorado Rockies3,281,511San Diego Padres[39] 953,857
1993Colorado Rockies4,483,350San Diego Padres1,375,432
1992Toronto Blue Jays[40] 4,028,318Houston Astros[41] 1,211,412
1991Toronto Blue Jays4,001,527Montreal Expos934,742
1990Toronto Blue Jays3,885,284Atlanta Braves[42] 980,129
1989Toronto Blue Jays3,375,883Atlanta Braves984,930
1988New York Mets[43] 3,055,445Atlanta Braves848,089
1987St. Louis Cardinals[44] 3,072,122Cleveland Indians1,077,898
1986Los Angeles Dodgers3,023,208Pittsburgh Pirates1,000,917
1985Los Angeles Dodgers3,264,593Cleveland Indians655,181
1984Los Angeles Dodgers3,134,824Cleveland Indians734,079
1983Los Angeles Dodgers3,510,313Cleveland Indians768,941
1982Los Angeles Dodgers3,608,881Minnesota Twins[45] 921,186
1981Los Angeles Dodgers2,381,292Minnesota Twins469,090
1980Los Angeles Dodgers3,249,287Minnesota Twins769,206
1979Los Angeles Dodgers2,860,954Oakland Athletics[46] 306,763
1978Los Angeles Dodgers3,347,845Oakland Athletics526,999
1977Los Angeles Dodgers2,955,087Oakland Athletics495,599
1976Cincinnati Reds[47] 2,629,708San Francisco Giants626,868
1975Los Angeles Dodgers2,539,349San Francisco Giants522,919
1974Los Angeles Dodgers2,632,474San Francisco Giants519,987
1973Los Angeles Dodgers2,136,192San Diego Padres611,826
1972New York Mets2,134,185Milwaukee Brewers[48] 600,440
1971New York Mets2,266,680San Diego Padres557,513
1970New York Mets2,697,479Chicago White Sox[49] 495,355
1969New York Mets2,175,373San Diego Padres512,970
1968Detroit Tigers[50] 2,031,847Washington Senators[51] 546,661
1967St. Louis Cardinals2,090,145Cleveland Indians662,980
1966Los Angeles Dodgers2,617,029Washington Senators576,260
1965Los Angeles Dodgers2,553,577Kansas City Athletics528,344
1964Los Angeles Dodgers2,228,751Washington Senators600,106
1963Los Angeles Dodgers2,538,602Washington Senators535,604
1962Los Angeles Dodgers2,755,184Chicago Cubs[52] 609,802
1961Los Angeles Dodgers1,804,250Philadelphia Phillies590,039
1960Los Angeles Dodgers2,253,887Cincinnati Reds663,486
1959Los Angeles Dodgers2,071,045Washington Senators615,372
1958Milwaukee Braves1,971,101Washington Senators475,288
1957Milwaukee Braves2,215,404Washington Senators457,079
1956Milwaukee Braves2,046,331Washington Senators431,647
1955Milwaukee Braves2,005,836Washington Senators425,238
1954Milwaukee Braves2,131,388Philadelphia Athletics304,666
1953Milwaukee Braves1,826,397St. Louis Browns[53] 297,238
1952New York Yankees1,629,665Boston Braves281,278
1951New York Yankees1,950,107St. Louis Browns293,790
1950New York Yankees2,081,380St. Louis Browns247,131
1949New York Yankees2,283,676St. Louis Browns270,936
1948Cleveland Indians2,620,627St. Louis Browns335,564
1947New York Yankees2,178,937St. Louis Browns320,474
1946New York Yankees2,265,512St. Louis Browns526,435
1945Detroit Tigers1,280,341Philadelphia Phillies285,057
1944Detroit Tigers923,176Boston Braves208,691
1943Brooklyn Dodgers661,739St. Louis Browns214,392
1942Brooklyn Dodgers1,037,765Philadelphia Phillies230,183
1941Brooklyn Dodgers1,214,910St. Louis Browns176,240
1940Detroit Tigers1,112,693Philadelphia Phillies207,177
1939Cincinnati Reds981,443St. Louis Browns109,159
1938New York Yankees970,916St. Louis Browns130,417
1937Detroit Tigers1,072,276St. Louis Browns123,121
1936New York Yankees976,913St. Louis Browns93,267
1935Detroit Tigers1,034,929St. Louis Browns80,922
1934Detroit Tigers919,161St. Louis Browns115,305
1933New York Yankees728,014St. Louis Browns88,113
1932Chicago Cubs974,688St. Louis Browns112,558
1931Chicago Cubs1,086,422St. Louis Browns179,126
1930Chicago Cubs1,463,624St. Louis Browns152,088
1929Chicago Cubs1,485,166St. Louis Browns280,697
1928Chicago Cubs1,143,740Philadelphia Phillies182,168
1927New York Yankees1,164,015St. Louis Browns247,879
1926New York Yankees1,027,675Philadelphia Phillies240,600
1925Philadelphia Athletics869,703Boston Red Sox[54] 267,782
1924New York Yankees1,053,533Boston Braves177,478
1923New York Yankees1,007,066Boston Braves227,802
1922New York Yankees1,026,134Boston Braves167,965
1921New York Yankees1,230,696Philadelphia Phillies273,961

Largest crowds at a World Series game

AttendanceOpponentsGame numberDateStadium
92,706Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles DodgersGame 5October 6, 1959Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum[55]
92,650Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles DodgersGame 4October 5, 1959Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum[56]
92,394Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles DodgersGame 3October 4, 1959Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum[57]
86,288Boston Braves at Cleveland IndiansGame 5October 10, 1948Cleveland Stadium[58]
81,897Boston Braves at Cleveland IndiansGame 4October 9, 1948Cleveland Stadium[59]
78,102New York Giants at Cleveland IndiansGame 4October 2, 1954Cleveland Stadium[60]
74,065Brooklyn Dodgers at New York YankeesGame 6October 5, 1947Yankee Stadium[61]
73,977Brooklyn Dodgers at New York YankeesGame 3October 6, 1956Yankee Stadium[62]
73,365Brooklyn Dodgers at New York YankeesGame 1September 30, 1947Yankee Stadium[63]
71,787Brooklyn Dodgers at New York YankeesGame 4October 4, 1952Yankee Stadium[64]
67,498Cleveland Indians at Florida MarlinsGame 6October 25, 1997Pro Player Stadium[65]

Notes and References

  1. News: Shaikin . Bill . March 30, 2008 . Baseball from another dimension . Los Angeles Times . June 4, 2024.
  2. News: Record crowd watches Dodgers v Red Sox exhibition . . 31 March 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230410014942/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baseball-dodgers-idUSSP26421220080331 . 2023-04-10 . live .
  3. Web site: Jim Gates . Clicking Turnstiles . National Baseball Hall of Fame . 20 November 2023.
  4. News: Encina . Eduardo A. . April 29, 2015 . Taking a look back at baseball's lowest attended game before today . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160306100446/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-taking-a-look-back-at-baseballs-lowest-attended-game-before-today-20150429-story.html . March 6, 2016 . June 4, 2024.
  5. News: September 29, 1882 . Troys, 4; Worcesters, 1 . 2 . . . June 4, 2024.
  6. Web site: Orioles defeat White Sox at Camden Yards with no fans in attendance. ESPN.
  7. Web site: Arizona Diamondbacks Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2009-01-30. Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. Web site: Kansas City Royals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2009-01-30. Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. Web site: Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2009-01-30. Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. Web site: AL/2010-misc . 2010-10-04. Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. Web site: Attendance up by under 1 percent . September 29, 2011 . Associated Press . ESPN . 2011-09-30. The ... Phillies led baseball's attendance chart for the first time .....
  12. Web site: Baseball attendance increased from 2010 . September 29, 2011 . The Sports Xchange . Yahoo! Sports . 2011-09-30.
  13. Web site: Philadelphia Phillies Lead MLB in Attendance For First Time Ever . September 29, 2011 . RantSports . 2011-09-30 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130613105819/http://www.zimbio.com/Major%2BLeague%2BBaseball/articles/sXdA_1ke14O/Philadelphia%2BPhillies%2BLead%2BMLB%2BAttendance . June 13, 2013.
  14. Web site: Phillies set attendance record . September 23, 2011. American City Business Journals, Inc.. Philadelphia Business Journal. 2011-09-30.
  15. Web site: 2010 National League Attendance & Miscellaneous . 2010-10-04 . Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. Web site: San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-13. Baseball-Reference.com.
  17. Web site: Rockies timeline (1990–1994). 2009-01-31. MLB. Colorado Rockies. 2011-09-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20110927222721/http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/col/history/timeline2.jsp. dead.
  18. Web site: Blue Jays timeline (1990–1999) . 2009-01-31. MLB. Toronto Blue Jays.
  19. Web site: Dodgers timeline (1970s) . 2009-01-31. The Official Site of The Los Angeles Dodgers.
  20. Web site: Cleveland Indians . 2009-01-31. Baseball Almanac.
  21. Web site: Chicago Cubs Attendance Records . 2019-08-02. Baseball Almanac.
  22. Web site: New York Yankees Attendance Records . 2009-01-31. Baseball Almanac.
  23. Web site: Attendance Records for the San Francisco Giants . 2020-09-13.
  24. Web site: Attendance Records for the Philadelphia Phillies . 2020-09-13.
  25. Web site: Attendance Records for the St. Louis Cardinals . 2020-09-13.
  26. Web site: 2023 Major League Baseball Attendance & Team Age.
  27. Web site: 2022 Major League Baseball Attendance & Team Age.
  28. Web site: 2021 Major League Baseball Attendance & Team Age.
  29. Attendance based on MLB standards for games with Dodgers as home team for playoff games. All three teams with attendance (Atlanta Braves in NLCS and Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series) had their attendance marks held in Arlington, Texas as the designated home team.
  30. Web site: Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  31. Web site: Florida Marlins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  32. Web site: Tampa Bay Rays Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  33. Web site: Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  34. Web site: New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  35. Web site: Washington Nationals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  36. Web site: Seattle Mariners Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  37. Web site: Colorado Rockies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  38. Web site: Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  39. Web site: San Diego Padres Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  40. Web site: Toronto Blue Jays Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  41. Web site: Houston Astros Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  42. Web site: Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  43. Web site: New York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  44. Web site: St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  45. Web site: Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  46. Web site: Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  47. Web site: Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  48. Web site: Milwaukee Brewers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  49. Web site: Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  50. Web site: Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  51. Web site: Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  52. Web site: Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  53. Web site: Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  54. Web site: Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors . 2020-09-08. Baseball-Reference.com.
  55. Web site: 1959 World Series Game 5, White Sox at Dodgers, October 6 . Baseball-Reference.com.
  56. Web site: 1959 World Series Game 4, White Sox at Dodgers, October 5 . Baseball-Reference.com.
  57. Web site: 1959 World Series Game 3, White Sox at Dodgers, October 4 . Baseball-Reference.com.
  58. Web site: 1948 World Series Game 5, Braves at Indians, October 10 . Baseball-Reference.com.
  59. Web site: 1948 World Series Game 4, Braves at Indians, October 9 . Baseball-Reference.com.
  60. Web site: 1954 World Series Game 4, Giants at Indians, October 2 . Baseball-Reference.com.
  61. Web site: 1947 World Series Game 6, Dodgers at Yankees, October 5 . Baseball-Reference.com.
  62. Web site: 1956 World Series Game 3, Dodgers at Yankees, October 6 . Baseball-Reference.com.
  63. Web site: 1947 World Series Game 1, Dodgers at Yankees, September 30 . Baseball-Reference.com.
  64. Web site: 1952 World Series Game 4, Dodgers at Yankees, October 4 . Baseball-Reference.com.
  65. Web site: 1997 World Series Game 6, Indians at Marlins, October 25 . Baseball-Reference.com.

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