The MLB season has more than 2,400 games to enjoy and provides some of the best value tickets North America has to offer. From navigating ticket types to finding the best prices, this guide dives into all the ins and outs of securing your next trip to the ballpark.
- Choosing Which MLB Game to Attend
- When Do MLB Tickets Go On Sale?
- Where to Buy MLB Tickets
- Types of MLB Tickets Available
- MLB Ticket Prices
- Ticket Delivery
- Planning Parking & Travel for an MLB game
- Booking Accommodation When Attending an MLB game
- Top Tips for Buying MLB Tickets
Choosing Which MLB Game to Attend
Each year, MLB games take place almost daily between late March and November. In total, there are 2,430 regular season games to choose from, as well as an All-Star Week in July, and the MLB postseason in October/November. 29 of the 30 active MLB teams are based in the United States. The only non-US franchise is Canada’s Toronto Blue Jays.
Most major US cities boast an MLB franchise, which means a trip to the ballpark can be coincided with a visit to some of North America’s most exciting metropolises. To limit travel, MLB games are played as part of longer 2-, 3-, and 4-game series. Each series is played at the same venue, with tickets to each game of the series sold separately. It's not uncommon for baseball fans to attend multiple games in a series – especially those who have travelled long distances – so even a short city break could involve more than one MLB game.
For many baseball fans, choosing an MLB game to attend revolves around the teams in action. Searching for your favorite team can be a good place to start, or alternatively, you may just wish to see a game involving an iconic club like the New York Yankees, or famous players like LA Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. Baseball’s long and storied history means that the sport also boasts some of the most historic stadiums in North America. If you’re having a hard time deciding on a team, why not visit a famous ballpark like Boston’s Fenway Park or Chicago’s Wrigley Field and experience a nostalgic gameday experience steeped in tradition.
Since 2023, MLB teams play every other franchise at least once a season, so you don’t necessarily have to travel to your favorite team’s home city to catch them in action. For instance, baseball fans in Vancouver would have to travel over 2,500 miles to see Canada’s only MLB team, the Toronto Blue Jays, play at home in Toronto, but a visit to their closest MLB stadium, T-Mobile Park in Seattle, is a much shorter 140-mile trip across the US border. In fact, huge numbers of Blue Jays fans from Vancouver pack T-Mobile Park each year when the Jays take on the Seattle Mariners, making the ballpark feel like a temporary home for the Canadian franchise.
For baseball fans outside North America unable to travel to the home of baseball, MLB has the MLB World Tour. In 2024, regular season World Tour games take place across South Korea, Mexico, and the UK.
You can view the full MLB schedule here.
When Do MLB Tickets Go On Sale?
While it can differ depending on the team, single-game MLB tickets generally go on sale between January and March before the season begins. Most teams release individual tickets for the entire season in one go, however, in recent years, franchises like the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox have chosen to stagger their releases so you may have to wait until June/July to be able to purchase tickets for later in the year.
All MLB teams also offer season tickets, memberships, and multi-game packages. These provide a variety of benefits (including reserved seats and concession discounts) depending on the option you choose, and are generally available before single-game ticket sales begin. These ticket packages are great for fans who know they will be attending numerous games throughout the season and want to guarantee their attendance ahead of time.
As there are so many games in the MLB season, most contests do not sell out well in advance, however, Opening Day is a popular event for all franchises, and teams performing well towards the end of the season will also draw large crowds. For fans with a specific game in mind, it is always best to secure a ticket well in advance, but more often than not, tickets should be available for most MLB games right up until game day, and can often cost less than face value through resellers like StubHub and Vivid Seats.
Where to Buy MLB Tickets
Primary Sellers
Each MLB team uses one of two primary ticket sellers: Tickets.com or Ticketmaster. Most teams in the league use Tickets.com, while some – Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, and Toronto Blue Jays – use Ticketmaster as their official seller.
No special membership is required for purchasing single-game MLB tickets once they go on general sale, although you may have to sign up for an account with the team/official seller. For MLB games that are not sold out, tickets can be purchased on the day of the event at the stadium’s ticket office.
Resellers
There is a highly active resale market for all MLB games, with multiple reputable resellers providing tickets. Unlike many sports, baseball is unique in that, due to the vast number of games, tickets from resellers can often be cheaper than primary seller tickets. This means that, especially if you are buying tickets close to game day, it is always worth searching the resale market to see if you can snag a bargain.
Common MLB resellers include:
Types of MLB Tickets Available
MLB stadiums can look very different to one another, but all venues offer similar ticket types. Wherever you choose to watch a game, you’ll find great value seats in the Bleachers or Outfield, close-up views on the Lower Level, and some of the best premium hospitality sport has to offer in various clubs and lounges.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most common MLB ticket types:
Upper Level
Upper Level seats can be found on the stadium’s highest tier and provide a bird’s-eye-view of the action. While you won’t be that close to the game, the Upper Level can still offer great gameday atmosphere, as well as some of the best value seats in the ballpark.
Pros: Affordability
Cons: A long way from the action
Prices: Around $6–$30
Middle Level
Middle Level tickets can be found between the Upper and Lower decks. Seats on this level are some of the best in the stadium, and combine clear views of the entire field with a feeling of being close to the action. Middle Level tickets sometimes offer extra benefits, such as padded seats and wait service.
Pros: Ideal viewing angle
Cons: Sometimes low on atmosphere
Prices: Around $20–$60
Lower Level
Lower Level seats are generally located in the main seating bowl closest to the field and provide close-up views of the game. Tickets on this level not only provide some of the best concession options, but are the best way to feel involved in the action. However, your view can vary depending on how close you are to home plate, and views from deep down the foul line can be limited.
Pros: Up-close to the action
Cons: The further down the foul line you sit, the more limited your view
Prices: Around $30–$90+
Outfield/Bleachers
Sometimes known as the Bleachers, seats in the Outfield are a long way from home plate, but are known for their incredible atmosphere and proximity to the outfield. Usually located on the stadium’s lowest level, it might be difficult to see every ball and strike from this area, but you’ll be close to the outfielders, surrounded by passionate fans, and in a great position to catch a home run.
Pros: Home run hot zone
Cons: A long way from home plate
Prices: Around $6–$30
Hospitality
All MLB venues offer numerous hospitality options, from luxurious clubs to seats right behind home plate. Common benefits include complimentary food and drink, in-seat wait service, access to premium lounges, a private entrance, cushioned seats, and stunning views of the action.
Pros: Luxury, once-in-a-lifetime ways to enjoy a game
Cons: Expensive and less traditional
Prices: Around $80 – $2,000+
MLB Ticket Prices
MLB is the world's premier baseball league, meaning ticket prices for certain games/seating areas will always be high. However, compared to other Major League sports, baseball ticket prices are low and provide great value for fans with an average ticket price of $37 ( CNN). In fact, when resale tickets are taken into account, MoneyGeek found the average “cheapest ticket price” across MLB was just $17.67.
In general, across all teams and all sellers, the cheapest MLB tickets are usually available from around $7, with the most expensive tickets coming in at over $1,500. When buying tickets, it is also important to remember that, depending on the supplier, extra fees or charges may be added before you checkout, increasing the overall price of the ticket. Additionally, while primary seller tickets usually have set prices, reseller prices can be dynamic, leading to tickets falling (or occasionally rising) in price as the event comes closer.
Ticket Prices by Ticket Type
MLB ticket prices can vary wildly depending on the team, but the cost of different ticket types follows a general pattern.
Upper Level tickets and Bleacher/Outfield seats are generally the most affordable tickets at any MLB stadium as they are furthest away from home plate. Tickets in these areas are often available for between $6–$30.
The premium views of the Middle Level make this a popular section with tickets in the range of $20–$60, while standard Lower Level tickets can cost anywhere between $30–$90+ due to their proximity to the field.
For standard seating, as a common rule, MLB ticket prices increase in accordance with how close a seat is to home plate as most of the action at a baseball game is based in this area.
Whether it’s a club, lounge, or premium seat behind home plate, hospitality tickets are the most expensive at any MLB ballpark. Depending on the benefits on offer, these can start at around $75 and rise to over $2,000 at times.
Ticket Prices by Team
According to Statista, in 2023, the top 3 most expensive average tickets belonged to the Los Angeles Dodgers ($209), New York Yankees ($186), and Boston Red Sox ($170). The 3 cheapest average tickets could be found with the Miami Marlins ($69), Minnesota Twins ($72), and Los Angeles Angels ($79). However, it is worth bearing in mind that this information does not include resale tickets and could be skewed by a high volume of expensive seats.
MoneyGeek’s reseller survey of “average cheapest tickets” at MLB games is a useful source when looking to gain a greater understanding of the wider MLB ticket market. The company’s research in 2023, drawn from official MLB reseller SeatGeek, found the Los Angeles Angels ($6.60), Miami Marlins ($7.43), and New York Mets ($8.07) to have the lowest “average cheapest ticket prices”, while the Boston Red Sox ($35.90), Los Angeles Dodgers ($31.81), and San Diego Padres ($27.33) were the survey’s highest.
Though factors like recent performances, new stadiums, and current roster are all likely to have an impact on a team’s ticket prices, it is safe to say that popular franchises like the Los Angeles Dodgers, and iconic venues like Fenway Park, will always command some of the highest prices due to high demand.
Finding Cheap Tickets
While primary sellers usually provide a number of good value tickets for each MLB game, tickets from resellers are generally cheapest, and regularly below face value.
Staying flexible on games and seating areas is one of the best ways to secure cheap tickets. Although it can be risky for games where demand is hard to predict, purchasing MLB tickets in the last few days before your chosen game is often a good way to find a bargain.
Koobit compares ticket prices from a wide range of primary sellers and resellers for MLB games, making it the perfect companion when you’re looking to purchase baseball tickets. Not only can you search for your favorite team or nearby games, but you can also filter tickets by ticket type and price, so you’ll always find the best seats to suit your budget.
Ticket Delivery
MLB tickets purchased online are, unless otherwise stated, delivered as e-tickets.
When buying from primary sellers, tickets can be accessed through your account on the official seller's site, or through the MLB Ballpark App.
Tickets purchased from resellers will usually be delivered to your email address. Check the instructions provided, but PDF tickets sometimes need to be printed before you arrive at the venue.
Planning Parking & Travel for an MLB game
As a general rule, stadiums in central city or Downtown areas (like Toronto's Rogers Centre) will provide better public transport and fewer official parking options. The opposite is true for out-of-town venues (like Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas) where public transport can be lacking, but onsite parking options are vast.
Most MLB venues offer parking onsite, but if, like at Rogers Centre, there is no official parking on offer, it is best to use public transport to access the ballpark, or park in public facilities within walking distance. Whether you’re parking onsite or at a public facility, it is always best to book in advance. Most teams with official parking make it available for purchase on their official websites, however, less commonly, parking may only be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis at the venue. For public parking, sites like SpotHero can help you secure a space ahead of gameday.
In terms of cost, visitors to MLB games can expect to pay between $12–$45 on average for parking.
For more specific information, visit your chosen game's Travel & Parking section on Koobit.
Booking Accommodation When Attending an MLB game
MLB teams are located across the entire United States and part of Canada, so accommodation options will vary depending on the city in which you intend to catch a game. For instance, major cities like New York and Los Angeles may have more hotels, but you may still find these cities more costly to stay in than the likes of Kansas City or Milwaukee.
Arguably the best approach when looking for accommodation is to search for venues within walking distance of the ballpark. Many MLB stadiums are situated in central city areas, meaning hotels in Downtown districts will leave you within a short walk, subway, or bus ride from the game. If a city appears to have strong public transport links, like Chicago for example, you may be able to find cheaper accommodation on the outskirts of town, and use public transport to travel to the stadium on gameday.
For fans with bigger budgets, some teams even have hotels connected to their ballparks: see Omni San Diego, which is connected to Petco Park via a skybridge, and Toronto’s Marriott City Centre, which even has rooms inside Rogers Centre.
Top Tips for Buying MLB Tickets
- Reseller tickets are often cheaper than primary sellers
- Flexibility on where you want to sit can help in securing the best prices
- Day games usually attract smaller crowds than night games, making it easier to find tickets
- Compare prices on Koobit before making your purchase
To see the full MLB schedule, or to purchase MLB tickets, click here.