I have gotten on the Minnesota Twins case over the years for their high ticket prices but the flash sale $5 ticket plan announced by the ballclub on May 7 that all upper deck (Home Run Porch and Grandstand) tickets for remaining Twins games in May would be sold for $5 with no processing fees is a winner. The Twins reported that approximately 20,000 tickets were available and they sold out in under 24 hours.
The next day the Twins announced another flash sale for $5 ballpark access only tickets again with no processing fees for the remaining May home games. With these tickets you get in the ballpark but have no seat.
The Minnesota Twins have been hot on the field but Twins ticket sales have not, primarily due to the team’s poor play last season and the cold and wet spring weather this year. The seven smallest crowds in Target Field history all came in the first 14 home games this season, including an April 30 announced crowd (tickets sold) of 12,181 that featured far fewer fans in the actual stands.
I see this as a great plan for the Twins and it should be considered across all of MLB with the exception of possibly Miami where I wrote some time ago that they should offer free tickets to regain their lost fan base.
The plan makes perfect sense for the Twins, the team has the best record in baseball and the fans are following the team but just have not come out in person. Ticket revenue does not make up a huge part of the teams revenue but getting butts in the seats is important to the Twins organization and the city of Minneapolis. You know darn well that the Twins will come out ahead on this deal because fans in the stands eat and drink and the money the club losses on ticket prices will be recouped and then some in concessions.
The city and local businesses should jump on the Minnesota Twins bandwagon and offer specials on parking, hotels, food and drinks. It is a win-win for all, the Twins, the businesses and the fans. Minneapolis and its businesses having been riding Twins, Vikings, and Timberwolves coat-tails for years and it is about time they chip and make this happen again like it used to be back in the 60’s when the Washington Senators moved to Minnesota and became the Minnesota Twins. Back then every business had a Minnesota Twins pocket schedule next next to every register but this year I couldn’t find any Twins schedules unless you looked on-line. I finally got a couple at a local DQ. Heck, even the Twins spring training ticket booth at Hammond Stadium didn’t have any.
With a little co-operation from everyone, Target Field can become the place to be in 2019 as the Minnesota Twins battle for the American League pennant once again.
Good Job to Dave St. Peter and the Minnesota Twins. Now it is time for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and the Minneapolis City Council to step forward and do their share.
UPDATE: The 12,000 access only tickets sold out also.
Bro, you couldn’t find a pocket schedule because the younger folks have the internets and they do not care about paper. Most people under the age of 60 would simply pull up the schedule on their phone in about 2 seconds. The lack of pocket schedules in not a direct correlation to the support of the Twins in this town. It is a different world than the 1960s, so many other entertainment options, each child with their own instant entertainment on a cell phone. Yes, attendance is a concern for the Twins. However, the weather has been miserable so far this season. I have suffered through multiple miserable days this season, freezing at Target Field. Once the weather heats up, the Twins keep winning, and school gets done then attendance will improve. My opinion is that in 30-40 years, MLB might be played in front of empty/nearly empty stadiums as the younger generations age and don’t want to be bothered leaving their VR machines.
I understand and I have a phone to look up the schedule but some of us still enjoy looking at some hard copy and more importantly, the pocket schedules in all the business establishments symbolize support for the home team.
IMO it is not the ticket prices that are high but rather said concession prices…those are a joke. As mentioned in the article that is where they ‘make up their money’. I have no problem paying ticket prices as they stand today. I had a 20 game season ticket package that I split the first few years of Target Field…what gets old is the premium concession pricing. With that all being said well done on the $5 tickets. Great idea!