Sox increasing ticket prices

tims4wins

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https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/heres-how-much-red-sox-ticket-prices-will-increase-2019

The Boston Red Sox announced Thursday they are raising Fenway Park ticket prices for 2019 home games by an average of 2.5 percent.

Tickets to regular season home games now will range from $21.14 for general standing room to $161.14 for the most expensive field box, compared to the $19.81 to $155 range from 2018.

The Red Sox also introduced a new "Diamond" tier of six marquee games that will feature price hikes of an average of 10 percent. Those six contests are the club's home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 9; two World Series rematch games against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 12 and 13; and three contests with the rival New York Yankees on July 26, July 27 and Aug. 7.

Boston's remaining 73 home games, which are priced from "Tier 1" to "Tier 4" based on the matchup, will only increase by an average of 1.6 percent. (If you're wondering about those two missing home games, the Red Sox are playing a two-game set against the Yankees in London on June 29 and 30.)
 

Max Power

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As someone with a weekend ticket package that includes almost entirely Tier 1-3 games (under the old 5 tier system), prices were already too high last year. Whenever I'd try to sell tickets I couldn't use, Yankees games go for face or above, but everything else sold below season ticket holder face value if it sold at all. It was the first year I've ever had games completely go unused because I literally couldn't give them away.

Maybe a World Series winning team gets a attendance boost, but they're starting from a much softer demand point than they were in 2014, 2008, and 2005.
 

brs3

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If the Red Sox adopted the Atlanta Falcons concession pricing, I might be fine with this increase. $21 for standing room is ridiculous.
 

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So still 5 tiers, but tier 5 is "diamond" and much more expensive now. Got it...
There were 12 tier 1 games last year - 7 Yankees, OD and 4 scattered Saturdays. It sounds like tier 1 is now diamond (and 10% increase from what? last year's tier 1 rate?). Anyhow, here's the average cost of a ticket broken down by section. This appears to be the non-STH pricing based on the 2018 pricing shown.

 

joe dokes

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If the Red Sox adopted the Atlanta Falcons concession pricing, I might be fine with this increase. $21 for standing room is ridiculous.
Ive had the opposite reaction. Do my serious drinking before the game. Walk around the park for 20 bucks watching from different spots and poaching the random open seat here and there and maybe have 1 more beer during the game. That's not a terrible deal for a solo trip to a game. (Wouldn't want to do it 10 times a year; and its harder with more than 1 person. But I've long since made peace with generally being priced out of Fenway.)
 

Ramon AC

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What?
Upper bleachers above $30 is a joke. Pure greed.
Ownership has walked the walk in terms of investing in the on-field product. If there was no salary cap I'm sure they'd spend even more. Not to say they're not making McDuck-scale money, and with the caveat that I get to Fenway every couple years at most.
 

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The upper bleachers are rows 46-50 in I think 5 sections. Those were by far the biggest percentage jump and there's probably some calculus behind it. Hell, they were $20 in 2017. Those aren't selling well in the shit April/May weather regardless of the price on that tier, they are selling in the higher tier games and will sell at the new price because it will be the cheapest way in the park without standing.
 

brs3

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Ive had the opposite reaction. Do my serious drinking before the game. Walk around the park for 20 bucks watching from different spots and poaching the random open seat here and there and maybe have 1 more beer during the game. That's not a terrible deal for a solo trip to a game. (Wouldn't want to do it 10 times a year; and its harder with more than 1 person. But I've long since made peace with generally being priced out of Fenway.)
This would be true if you were allowed to walk around the entire park, but you're not allowed in the Monster area without tickets to the area. The walk-around experience needs to be pretty strategic. It's not like say, Citi Field, with dozens of great vantage points to stand, rest a drink and hot dog and watch an inning. If you stand too long in one of the entry ramps you are told to keep moving. Generally you need to show your ticket to even access most sections, so poaching seats isn't as true as it once was.

The concept of SRO tickets is no longer the general admission ticket it was years ago. I know I sound like a get-off-my-lawn type, but this experience you're talking about isn't what happens anymore.
 

joe dokes

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This would be true if you were allowed to walk around the entire park, but you're not allowed in the Monster area without tickets to the area. The walk-around experience needs to be pretty strategic. It's not like say, Citi Field, with dozens of great vantage points to stand, rest a drink and hot dog and watch an inning. If you stand too long in one of the entry ramps you are told to keep moving. Generally you need to show your ticket to even access most sections, so poaching seats isn't as true as it once was.

The concept of SRO tickets is no longer the general admission ticket it was years ago. I know I sound like a get-off-my-lawn type, but this experience you're talking about isn't what happens anymore.
There definitely are not great vantage points. And yeah, no monster. But they dont seal the moat at the bleachers like they used to, so there's always a spot way up high.
Maybe it was the meh-weather May game I was at (this really isn't an option for a nice-weather weekend day). But between the SRO areas at the back of the grandstands and grandstand seats (blue) themselves, I did OK. I would expect more pushback if I had been standing on ramps or walkways or tried to get really good seats. The casual stroll along the walkway between the the field boxes and the front of the grandstand from LF to canvas alley is pleasant enough. Its not my favorite way to see a game, but once a year when Im in the right mood, its a nice night out.
 

BoSoxLady

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I just received an advance copy of the pricing grid/schedule for me to review for the Fenway Bash.

There’s a new “D” tier (Diamond) and location pricing plus the usual five tiers with pricing and location.

[emoji22]
 

Salem's Lot

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Upper bleachers above $30 is a joke. Pure greed.
I disagree. It costs a lot of money to go out in Boston. They spent almost a quarter billion dollars on talent last year, and put a championship product on the field. $30 to get a seat in the building is actually a good value. My Bruins season tickets in the back row of the balcony have a $60 face, and the product, while pretty good over the last decade that I’ve had the seats, is no where near what these guys put out there.
 

Ale Xander

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I disagree. It costs a lot of money to go out in Boston. They spent almost a quarter billion dollars on talent last year, and put a championship product on the field. $30 to get a seat in the building is actually a good value. My Bruins season tickets in the back row of the balcony have a $60 face, and the product, while pretty good over the last decade that I’ve had the seats, is no where near what these guys put out there.
Relatively speaking, I agree with you.
 

Devizier

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I feel like being an out-of-town fan has the best of both worlds. I get to watch my mediocre local ballclub for $10/ticket for box seats in a beautiful ballpark and then get to watch/listen to my favorite team be wildly successful on TV/radio. Of course I miss Fenway, but not *that* much.
 

In my lifetime

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The upper bleachers have been basically a promotion for many years. I believe it dates back to the days when bleachers were sold only day of the game. Decades ago when they started pre-selling bleacher tickets, there was a little push back. So by keeping some bleachers cheap (less than true market price) everyone was happy.

However, now with reselling tickets being basically legal there is really no reason to set aside promotional priced tickets. Since most of those just end up on StubHub to be resold for the price determined by the market.
 

charlieoscar

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I disagree. It costs a lot of money to go out in Boston. They spent almost a quarter billion dollars on talent last year, and put a championship product on the field. $30 to get a seat in the building is actually a good value.
Aren't clubs getting about $50 million per year from Fox/ESPN/TBS?
 

timlinin8th

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I disagree. It costs a lot of money to go out in Boston. They spent almost a quarter billion dollars on talent last year, and put a championship product on the field. $30 to get a seat in the building is actually a good value. My Bruins season tickets in the back row of the balcony have a $60 face, and the product, while pretty good over the last decade that I’ve had the seats, is no where near what these guys put out there.
I've been saying this for years. I don't really understand the bellyaching over ticket prices when compared to other events they really aren't that bad. The furthest back row in the 300 section in Gillette will cost double what a Sox game will run. Hell, I brought my kid to see Blue Man Group a bit ago and to watch a show that hasn't changed in forever cost me a damn fortune. Stuff costs money.
 

BrooklynDog45

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Best way to cut costs is buy on secondary market from season tix holders dumping games they can’t go too. Outside of Yankee games all other teams usually available at below face. Ticket increase is basically a tax on season tix holders.
 

Salem's Lot

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Should that money be distributed evenly among all clubs? It covers about 75% of Oakland's payroll but was Oakland part of the tv broadcasts as often as other clubs?
Big market owners in the NFL, NBA, and NHL ask this every time a CBA expires. That’s why we have lockouts. Not only do the owners disagree with how much of the overall revenue that the players should receive, they are arguing amongst each other over revenue sharing.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Should that money be distributed evenly among all clubs? It covers about 75% of Oakland's payroll but was Oakland part of the tv broadcasts as often as other clubs?
Well, that's kind of what revenue sharing is designed for, so, yes? The deals are set long term, there's not telling who will be marketable year to year for that term. It's not any different than the NFL scheduling the 49ers and Giants on a Monday expecting both to be good or at least decent and drawing a good number, then that week comes and they both suck and no one watches.
 

OurF'ingCity

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One way to think about it (and I know it's not really this simple) is that the Sox are just keeping up with inflation, which is also right around 2.5% currently.
 

tims4wins

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One way to think about it (and I know it's not really this simple) is that the Sox are just keeping up with inflation, which is also right around 2.5% currently.
Another way to think about it (and I know it's not really this simple) is that the Sox are losing 2.47% of their home games due to London, so this is basically an offset.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Another way to think about it (and I know it's not really this simple) is that the Sox are losing 2.47% of their home games due to London, so this is basically an offset.
Valid point but I’m sure they’re being compensated on back end for that. They don’t make as much on concessions as people assume.
 

PC Drunken Friar

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I've been saying this for years. I don't really understand the bellyaching over ticket prices when compared to other events they really aren't that bad. The furthest back row in the 300 section in Gillette will cost double what a Sox game will run. Hell, I brought my kid to see Blue Man Group a bit ago and to watch a show that hasn't changed in forever cost me a damn fortune. Stuff costs money.
Yes, but I can justify the Pats game because there are only 8 chances to see a game. And, for a 1 pm game, I am there at 9 and leave at like 6. And am entertained the whole time.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Funny, when I go to a pats game I view at least 4 of those hours as a complete pain in the ass, to go watch a game that’s way better viewing sitting on my couch.
 

BoSoxLady

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Ticket increase is basically a tax on season tix holders.
What? How is an overall price increase a tax on season ticket holders? Ticket prices went up everywhere.

I organize the annual SoSH Bash. The tickets in 2018 were $60. A seat in the identical location in 2019 is a minimum of $69 and a maximum of $85 (depending on the opponent.) The Red Sox took away the opportunity for groups to purchase tickets for Saturdays in July by making them Diamond (premier) games and tying the tickets to a pre-game private rental space at a minimum cost of $185. per person.
 

BrooklynDog45

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What? How is an overall price increase a tax on season ticket holders? Ticket prices went up everywhere.

I organize the annual SoSH Bash. The tickets in 2018 were $60. A seat in the identical location in 2019 is a minimum of $69 and a maximum of $85 (depending on the opponent.) The Red Sox took away the opportunity for groups to purchase tickets for Saturdays in July by making them Diamond (premier) games and tying the tickets to a pre-game private rental space at a minimum cost of $185. per person.
It's a tax because many (if not most) season tix holders don't go to every game and sell on secondary market at loss. The perk being access to postseason tix.
 

BoSoxLady

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It's a tax because many (if not most) season tix holders don't go to every game and sell on secondary market at loss. The perk being access to postseason tix.
It really depends upon the season ticket plan. I’m on the Weekend Plan. STH on the weekend and Sunday plans tend to go to all of their games. Until I moved two years ago, I didn’t miss a game for years.
 

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It's a tax because many (if not most) season tix holders don't go to every game and sell on secondary market at loss. The perk being access to postseason tix.
Depends on seat location as well. I’ve had season tickets for 15 years in the bleachers and have lost, at most, like $500 maybe $750 in a year and that has only happened 2 or 3 times. Every other year I’ve been at breakeven or better for the games I don’t attend. I can deal with some losses in exchange for guaranteed playoffs like you mention.
 

Max Power

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It really depends upon the season ticket plan. I’m on the Weekend Plan. STH on the weekend and Sunday plans tend to go to all of their games. Until I moved two years ago, I didn’t miss a game for years.
That's kind of beside the point. For those of us who couldn't attend the games on weekends, they were selling for below face last year for everything except Yankees games. It's clear they're priced higher than the market demands and it's season ticket holders taking the hit in order to get the guaranteed playoff tickets.
 

geoflin

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That's kind of beside the point. For those of us who couldn't attend the games on weekends, they were selling for below face last year for everything except Yankees games. It's clear they're priced higher than the market demands and it's season ticket holders taking the hit in order to get the guaranteed playoff tickets.
There's more to it, at least for me, than guaranteed playoff tickets. I get to go to any game I want, don't have to deal with the VWR and/or lottery drawings to buy tickets, get a discount on regular ticket prices, sit in good seats with no worries about obstructions, and get early access to tickets for other events at Fenway (concerts, other sports, etc.). Plus there are other perks for season ticket holders. Some years I make money selling extra tickets, some years I lose money. But for me, even the years when I lose money are worth it due to the above considerations.
 

BoSoxLady

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I’ve had my season ticket in the Loge near the Sox on deck circle since 1988. The original price was $12. Last season the price was $146 for a ton of games.

I didn’t purchase my tickets for perks because none existed. There were hardly ever postseason games, no concerts, zero season ticket holder perks. John Henry’s group offered STH benefits for the first time and the Sox have continued to treat STH well.

I’m hoping that coming off a championship that interest for tickets will be higher next season.
 

Wake49

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Best way to cut costs is buy on secondary market from season tix holders dumping games they can’t go too. Outside of Yankee games all other teams usually available at below face. Ticket increase is basically a tax on season tix holders.
. . . who actually pay less per ticket than those who buy thru redsox.com. So whatever.
 

Ale Xander

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Yeah Lose is right. 2003/4/5 was a different animal, and football/Brady is a different animal, but after the 2nd one, fans get more spoiled each additional championship.
 

Wake49

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Depends on seat location as well. I’ve had season tickets for 15 years in the bleachers and have lost, at most, like $500 maybe $750 in a year and that has only happened 2 or 3 times. Every other year I’ve been at breakeven or better for the games I don’t attend. I can deal with some losses in exchange for guaranteed playoffs like you mention.
Damn, seriously? I’ve had season tickets (GS 10) for that long as well and only eaten two games in that time, and both were in 2003.

Maybe I’m just lucky but I typically sell all of my games by opening day.
 

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Damn, seriously? I’ve had season tickets (GS 10) for that long as well and only eaten two games in that time, and both were in 2003.

Maybe I’m just lucky but I typically sell all of my games by opening day.
I don't plan ahead all that well. I'm not usually trying to unload tickets until a week or two before the games and those April and May games, even at a tier 5 price, end up being loss leaders. Don't get me wrong, if I looked at the entirety of my STH experience I'm net positive and that coupled with the benefits that have been mentioned it's worth holding them.
 

charlieoscar

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I had four tickets to Game 161 in 2005 against the Yankees, good seats that I got at the beginning of the season through some plan the Red Sox had that let fans get first crack. I told my brother-in-law and nephew that I'd take them to the game. I did, even though I was seeing similar seats for that game going for $2200 each on-line a couple of days before game time.
 

Max Power

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. . . who actually pay less per ticket than those who buy thru redsox.com. So whatever.
When I said I had to sell most tickets at a loss this season, it was below the season ticket holder face value, not the box office face value. But like JERIH, I don't plan ahead for these and try to sell the week of the game when I find I can't make it. Maybe that's the issue.

I'll still be re-upping this year. I got an upgrade and the new seats are in the second row of the grandstand with no obstructions at all. Maybe those will be more in demand since they're literally five feet away from significantly more expensive seats. But overall the package has gone from something that makes financial sense to something that probably doesn't, given that I can buy cheaper seats on the secondary market for just about any game I want to go to.
 

BoSoxLady

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I’m hearing there’s no Christmas at Fenway this year. I’ll reach out to my contacts tomorrow for confirmation.

That would suck.