A Look at Beer In The Ballpark

The average price of beer at MLB games is over $6 bucks.

Now that the official 2014 Major League Baseball season is underway, millions of people from the east cost to the west coast are planning trips to their home team’s games. There’s no better way to spend a sunny summer day than by watching your home team play ball while drinking a cold brew. Ballpark beer is a major business that generates a substantial amount of revenue. A couple bucks here and there might not seem like much, but it quickly adds up when there are tens of thousands of fans attending the game. Here, we’re going to take a closer look at beer in the ballpark, revealing some rather surprising statistics.

Average Cost For Beer In The Ballpark Is $6.09

And you thought paying $3 for a domestic draft beer at your favorite restaurant was expensive. According to data released by the Team Marketing Report, the average cost for a small beer at Major League Baseball games is a whopping $6.09. Considering the fact that most people purchase several beers during a game, it’s easy to rack up a hefty beverage bill while you’re at the ballpark.

On a side note, the average cost of beer at NFL games is even more expensive at $7.28 for a small beer. Does this mean you shouldn’t drink while attending sporting events? There’s certainly nothing wrong with it, but you should do so in moderation — especially if you’re on a budget.

Most Expensive Ballpark Beer Is $7.19

Yep, the most expensive MLB ballpark beer is $7.19, which is courtesy of the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Paying over $7 (not including tax, by the way) for a single small beer is pretty outrageous. The average $6.09 in bad enough, but it really takes a toll on attendees when the price spikes into the $7+ range.

41% of MLB Attendees Purchase Beer

Just under half (41%) of ballpark patrons purchase beer. This is a pretty astounding statistic considering that some ballparks sellout with 40,000 attendees. If roughly half of these attendees purchase a single beer, that’s 20,000 beers sold at $6-$7 a pop for a total sales amount of $120,000-$140,000!

Hopefully, this will give you a better understanding — and appreciation — of beer in the ballpark. Millions of fans seek to enjoy the game of baseball while drinking a cold brew. Unfortunately, this doesn’t come without the hefty price of $6-$7 (sometimes even more) per small beer. If you’re looking to enjoy a brew at your home team’s game, keep them to a minimum; otherwise, you’ll end up spending more on the beer than your actual baseball tickets.