Historic low: Less than 20,000 Tampa Bay Rays fans showed up to the team's first playoff game
The Tampa Bay Rays lost their first playoff game of the season on Tuesday night, but the turnout for the game was even more disappointing. Just 19,704 fans showed up to Tropicana Field to watch the Rays play the Texas Rangers, the lowest attendance for a non-COVID playoff game since 1919.
The low attendance is a sign of the Rays' long-standing attendance struggles. The team has never averaged more than 2 million fans per season, and they have ranked in the bottom five in MLB attendance in each of the last four seasons.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to the Rays' attendance struggles. One factor is the location of Tropicana Field. The stadium is located in St. Petersburg, which is a smaller city than most other MLB cities. Additionally, the stadium is located in a relatively remote area of St. Petersburg, which can make it difficult for fans to get to.
Another factor that has contributed to the Rays' attendance struggles is the team's ownership. The Rays are owned by Stu Sternberg, who has been criticized by fans for his unwillingness to invest in the team. Sternberg has also been criticized for his plan to build a new stadium in Tampa, which is seen by many fans as a way to move the team out of St. Petersburg.
Despite the Rays' attendance struggles, the team has been successful on the field. The Rays have made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons, and they won the American League pennant in 2020. However, the team's success on the field has not translated into increased attendance.
The Rays' low attendance is a concern for the team and its fans. The team needs to find a way to increase attendance if it wants to remain competitive in the long term.
What can the Rays do to increase attendance?
There are a number of things that the Rays can do to increase attendance. One thing that the team can do is to invest in Tropicana Field. The stadium is in need of renovations, and the team could also add new amenities to the stadium.
Another thing that the Rays can do to increase attendance is to market the team better. The Rays need to do a better job of getting the word out about the team and its games. The team could also offer more promotions and discounts to fans.
Finally, the Rays need to build a winning team. The best way to increase attendance is to win games. If the Rays are able to win consistently, more fans will be likely to come out to the ballpark.
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