International interest in Major League Baseball (MLB) has soared in the past year according to data released by StubHub to coincide with the start of the 2017 season.
The ticketing platform found that international buyers made up five per cent of ticket purchases for this week’s opening round of MLB games. Baseball fans in 30 countries secured seats for games, compared to just 18 in 2016.
Leading the growth in interest are World Series champions the Chicago Cubs, whose success has inspired a 157 per cent increase in international sales for their games.
StubHub found that Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Diego Padres was the best value of the opening games with the lowest average ticket price at around $158.
It said the most in-demand game for the season is the New York Yankees game against Houston Astros in May, which will feature the Derek Jeter Jersey Retirement Ceremony. Tickets for that game are being offered for an average of $328.
StubHub said San Francisco Giants were the most in-demand pre-season draw, with ticket demand having nearly doubled compared to this time last year.
StubHub revealed that Boston Red Sox have been the team that have generated most sales in the last three years, while Los Angeles Dodgers fans are described as “most tech-savvy” having used the mobile app the most.
Top 6 most popular MLB teams of 2017
Based on team ticket sales to-date on StubHub (since 2014)
1 Boston Red Sox
2 Chicago Cubs
3 SF Giants
4 New York Yankees
5 St.Louis Cardinals
6 LA Dodgers
The most tech-savvy MLB fans
Based on fans that purchase tickets on the StubHub app and mobile site the most since 2014.
1 Dodgers
2 New York Yankees
3 SF Giants
4 St. Louis Cardinals
5 Chicago Cubs
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