MiLB Attendance Down 2.9 Percent In 2025, Tops 30 Million With Late-Season Surge
Image credit: (Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images)
Thanks to a furious finish, MiLB once again drew more than 30 million fans in announced attendance. But numbers were still down in 2025.
Combined, the 120 MiLB teams drew a total of 30,360,682 fans in 2025, representing a drop of 2.9 percent from last year. In 2025, MiLB drew 3,847 fans per game on average, compared to 3,962 in 2024.
While that may seem like bad news for Minor League Baseball, compared to where the season was trending back in July, it’s a relatively soft landing. Heading into August, MiLB teams were on pace for a 4.5 percent dip.
From Opening Day until July 31, MiLB teams averaged 3,730 fans per game. From Aug. 1 until the end of the season, that total jumped up to 4,151 fans per game in announced attendance. That 11.3 percent improvement ultimately kept MiLB above the 30 million mark—a number it hadn’t dipped below this century. The season-long average of 3,847 fans per game was the lowest of the past 20 years (with the exception of the pandemic-affected 2021 season).
Overall, there were 19 teams that saw increases of 100+ fans in average attendance. Compare that to 57 teams that were down by 100 or more fans, including 10 that lost over 500 per game. Of the 120 MiLB teams, a total of 78 experienced declines in average attendance in 2025.
Here’s a look at yearly attendance over the past 25 years (Note: Because of the reduction of the minors in 2021, there are fewer teams now than there were until 2019):
This type of late-season jump is unusual but not unprecedented. Last year, attendance ticked up 5.2% from Aug. 1 onwards. In 2022 it was a 1.2 percent increase. But in 2019 there was a 12 percent increase. Other recent increases include bumps of 10 percent in 2018, 12.1 percent in 2014 and 11.9 percent in 2013.
Late-Season Attendance Surges
This year’s big bump came in part from fans saying goodbye to teams that are moving. In their final 10 games at Five County Stadium before next year’s move to nearby Wilson, N.C., the Carolina Mudcats averaged 3,585 fans per game. They had averaged 2,083 fans over their first 48 games. The result was a net gain of 438 fans per game compared to last season.
Similarly, the Richmond Flying Squirrels said farewell to The Diamond as they prepare to move into a new ballpark for 2026. On July 31, Richmond was on pace to equal last year’s numbers, but they ended up averaging 173 more fans per game than last year after welcoming 7,334 fans per game over the final 18 home dates.
Other clubs had even bigger late-season surges. Nine of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers’ 10 largest crowds came from Aug. 1 onwards. The St. Paul Saints’ five largest crowds all came after July.
New Locations & Unusual Circumstances
The biggest gainers overall were a pair of teams that moved to new cities. The Low-A Hub City Spartanburgers drew 2,297 more fans per game than the Down East Wood Ducks did in 2024. The Double-A Columbus Clingstones drew 1,483 more fans per game than the Mississippi Braves did last year.
Some of the biggest declines came from teams facing unusual circumstances. For example, Triple-A Sacramento is normally one of the biggest draws in minor league baseball. But they shared their facility with the Athletics’ MLB team, attendance was down 1,498 fans per game.
The Tampa Tarpons, meanwhile, were moved out of Steinbrenner Field to a back field because the Rays were taking over as temporary tenants. The result was 645 fewer fans per game.
The Triple-A Salt Lake Bees were one of the rare teams to see an attendance drop after moving into a new stadium. They averaged 1,070 fewer fans per game at their new Ballpark At American First Square than they did in 2024. That was partly unavoidable because of the new park’s capacity. The Bees’ old facility was one of the biggest in the minors. In 2024, they drew 13 crowds over 9,500 strong, including 14,455 fans on July 4. The new park maxed out at 7,679 fans on July 4.
MiLB will open new stadiums in Asheville, N.C., Richmond, Va., Wilson, N.C., Ontario, Calif. and Chattanooga, Tenn. in 2026. The Asheville Tourists will move into a massive renovated stadium, as well. The influx of new stadiums gives MiLB a chance to see an increase in attendance next season for the first time since 2023.
Attendance Leaders At Every Level
- Triple-A Lehigh Valley led all teams with 585,167 in announced attendance, good for an average of 8,242 fans per game.
- As noted above, Richmond said farewell to The Diamond by leading all Double-A clubs with 446,679 fans per game (an average of 6,768).
- As usual, Dayton led Low-A teams with 490,468 fans per game (an average of 7,785).
Overall MiLB Attendance Leaders In 2025
Here’s how all 120 teams (listed alphabetically by default) fared in attendance in 2025 with a look at how their average attendance compared to 2024 numbers:
| Team | Attendance | Average | Change From 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen IronBirds | 105,020 | 1,667 | -288 |
| Akron RubberDucks | 274,686 | 4,292 | 395 |
| Albuquerque Isotopes | 493,849 | 6,765 | 51 |
| Altoona Curve | 293,487 | 4,447 | -183 |
| Amarillo Sod Poodles | 319,646 | 4,843 | -309 |
| Arkansas Travelers | 256,374 | 3,826 | -1,133 |
| Asheville Tourists | 163,380 | 2,678 | -242 |
| Augusta GreenJackets | 243,492 | 3,927 | -43 |
| Beloit Sky Carp | 112,808 | 1,849 | 195 |
| Biloxi Shuckers | 147,249 | 2,265 | -161 |
| Binghamton Rumble Ponies | 120,627 | 1,977 | -341 |
| Birmingham Barons | 228,755 | 3,466 | -142 |
| Bowling Green Hot Rods | 119,824 | 1,933 | -362 |
| Bradenton Marauders | 71,507 | 1,135 | 81 |
| Brooklyn Cyclones | 179,316 | 2,802 | 50 |
| Buffalo Bisons | 425,517 | 6,079 | -575 |
| Carolina Mudcats | 135,848 | 2,342 | 438 |
| Cedar Rapids Kernels | 151,222 | 2,363 | -20 |
| Charleston RiverDogs | 264,227 | 4,194 | -84 |
| Charlotte Knights | 425,461 | 5,749 | -524 |
| Chattanooga Lookouts | 191,309 | 3,356 | -39 |
| Chesapeake Baysox | 202,741 | 3,218 | -287 |
| Clearwater Threshers | 168,199 | 2,628 | -18 |
| Columbia Fireflies | 224,566 | 3,622 | 165 |
| Columbus Clingstones | 235,251 | 3,564 | 1,483 |
| Columbus Clippers | 513,085 | 7,330 | -256 |
| Corpus Christi Hooks | 278,653 | 4,098 | -12 |
| Dayton Dragons | 490,468 | 7,785 | -227 |
| Daytona Tortugas | 109,606 | 1,713 | 98 |
| Delmarva Shorebirds | 147,547 | 2,459 | -199 |
| Dunedin Blue Jays | 52,180 | 870 | 7 |
| Durham Bulls | 485,021 | 6,467 | -156 |
| El Paso Chihuahuas | 472,125 | 6,467 | -84 |
| Erie SeaWolves | 196,011 | 2,926 | 35 |
| Eugene Emeralds | 141,195 | 2,241 | -172 |
| Everett AquaSox | 144,111 | 2,184 | 64 |
| Fayetteville Woodpeckers | 184,593 | 2,884 | -166 |
| Fort Myers Mighty Mussels | 85,126 | 1,419 | -70 |
| Fort Wayne TinCaps | 327,542 | 5,118 | -472 |
| Fredericksburg Nationals | 201,065 | 3,296 | -397 |
| Fresno Grizzlies | 241,709 | 3,662 | -345 |
| Frisco RoughRiders | 383,515 | 5,724 | 184 |
| Great Lakes Loons | 195,332 | 3,151 | -38 |
| Greensboro Grasshoppers | 254,232 | 4,101 | 147 |
| Greenville Drive | 305,267 | 4,770 | 83 |
| Gwinnett Stripers | 191,271 | 2,694 | 74 |
| Harrisburg Senators | 258,972 | 3,924 | -131 |
| Hartford Yard Goats | 389,496 | 5,813 | -327 |
| Hickory Crawdads | 114,688 | 1,820 | -28 |
| Hillsboro Hops | 174,777 | 2,648 | 285 |
| Hub City Spartanburgers | 233,362 | 3,590 | 2,297 |
| Hudson Valley Renegades | 180,037 | 2,858 | -154 |
| Indianapolis Indians | 570,677 | 7,817 | -588 |
| Inland Empire 66ers | 132,144 | 2,002 | -140 |
| Iowa Cubs | 409,706 | 5,612 | -241 |
| Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | 359,679 | 4,996 | 73 |
| Jersey Shore BlueClaws | 216,969 | 3,874 | -497 |
| Jupiter Hammerheads | 53,292 | 820 | 165 |
| Kannapolis Cannon Ballers | 193,704 | 2,935 | -77 |
| Knoxville Smokies | 295,460 | 4,617 | 252 |
| Lake County Captains | 170,233 | 2,702 | -704 |
| Lake Elsinore Storm | 108,976 | 1,651 | 92 |
| Lakeland Flying Tigers | 36,788 | 603 | -70 |
| Lansing Lugnuts | 275,713 | 4,242 | -55 |
| Las Vegas Aviators | 491,889 | 6,559 | 48 |
| Lehigh Valley IronPigs | 585,167 | 8,242 | 176 |
| Louisville Bats | 328,441 | 4,692 | -404 |
| Lynchburg Hillcats | 98,310 | 1,586 | 17 |
| Memphis Redbirds | 204,862 | 2,927 | 224 |
| Midland RockHounds | 229,056 | 3,368 | 6 |
| Modesto Nuts | 87,008 | 1,318 | 27 |
| Montgomery Biscuits | 159,802 | 2,497 | -65 |
| Myrtle Beach Pelicans | 219,885 | 3,858 | -100 |
| Nashville Sounds | 500,002 | 7,042 | -4 |
| New Hampshire Fisher Cats | 207,425 | 3,400 | -304 |
| Norfolk Tides | 370,537 | 5,530 | -608 |
| Northwest Arkansas Naturals | 236,668 | 3,480 | -14 |
| Oklahoma City Comets | 395,026 | 5,411 | 168 |
| Omaha Storm Chasers | 275,260 | 3,771 | -253 |
| Palm Beach Cardinals | 47,291 | 739 | -15 |
| Pensacola Blue Wahoos | 270,029 | 3,913 | -290 |
| Peoria Chiefs | 139,287 | 2,361 | -172 |
| Portland Sea Dogs | 366,442 | 5,910 | -174 |
| Quad Cities River Bandits | 153,042 | 2,319 | -417 |
| Rancho Cucamonga Quakes | 129,092 | 1,956 | -433 |
| Reading Fightin Phils | 396,455 | 6,007 | -270 |
| Reno Aces | 352,375 | 4,698 | -103 |
| Richmond Flying Squirrels | 446,679 | 6,768 | 173 |
| Rochester Red Wings | 431,265 | 6,074 | -380 |
| Rocket City Trash Pandas | 275,423 | 4,303 | -260 |
| Rome Emperors | 69,250 | 1,135 | -264 |
| Round Rock Express | 354,867 | 4,929 | -155 |
| Sacramento River Cats | 302,961 | 4,039 | -1,498 |
| Salem Red Sox | 164,746 | 2,792 | -66 |
| Salt Lake Bees | 395,534 | 5,274 | -1,070 |
| San Antonio Missions | 269,383 | 3,962 | 65 |
| San Jose Giants | 127,819 | 1,937 | 47 |
| Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders | 261,127 | 3,840 | -780 |
| Somerset Patriots | 348,758 | 5,449 | 170 |
| South Bend Cubs | 305,311 | 4,770 | 0 |
| Spokane Indians | 264,416 | 4,006 | 86 |
| Springfield Cardinals | 241,675 | 3,662 | -215 |
| St. Lucie Mets | 69,131 | 1,080 | -20 |
| St. Paul Saints | 420,428 | 6,183 | -254 |
| Stockton Ports | 119,121 | 1,805 | 200 |
| Sugar Land Space Cowboys | 270,571 | 3,706 | -143 |
| Syracuse Mets | 342,977 | 4,764 | -177 |
| Tacoma Rainiers | 430,813 | 5,744 | 250 |
| Tampa Tarpons | 19,475 | 348 | -645 |
| Toledo Mud Hens | 452,049 | 6,367 | -90 |
| Tri-City Dust Devils | 116,725 | 1,796 | -80 |
| Tulsa Drillers | 322,452 | 4,813 | -365 |
| Vancouver Canadians | 277,990 | 4,344 | -315 |
| Visalia Rawhide | 120,357 | 1,824 | -110 |
| West Michigan Whitecaps | 373,025 | 5,829 | 2 |
| Wichita Wind Surge | 277,722 | 4,084 | -291 |
| Wilmington Blue Rocks | 162,611 | 2,666 | 36 |
| Winston-Salem Dash | 262,074 | 4,296 | 169 |
| Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | 236,441 | 3,753 | 57 |
| Worcester Red Sox | 455,467 | 6,901 | 49 |
10 Top In Average MiLB Attendance
| Team | Average |
|---|---|
| Lehigh Valley IronPigs | 8,242 |
| Indianapolis Indians | 7,817 |
| Dayton Dragons | 7,785 |
| Columbus Clippers | 7,330 |
| Nashville Sounds | 7,042 |
| Worcester Red Sox | 6,901 |
| Richmond Flying Squirrels | 6,768 |
| Albuquerque Isotopes | 6,765 |
| Las Vegas Aviators | 6,559 |
| Durham Bulls | 6,467 |
Top 25 MiLB Attendance Gainers In 2025
| Team | ATTENDANCE | AVERAGE | CHANGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hub City Spartanburgers | 233,362 | 3,590 | 2,297 |
| Columbus Clingstones | 235,251 | 3,564 | 1,483 |
| Carolina Mudcats | 135,848 | 2,342 | 438 |
| Akron RubberDucks | 274,686 | 4,292 | 395 |
| Hillsboro Hops | 174,777 | 2,648 | 285 |
| Knoxville Smokies | 295,460 | 4,617 | 252 |
| Tacoma Rainiers | 430,813 | 5,744 | 250 |
| Memphis Redbirds | 204,862 | 2,927 | 224 |
| Stockton Ports | 119,121 | 1,805 | 200 |
| Beloit Sky Carp | 112,808 | 1,849 | 195 |
| Frisco RoughRiders | 383,515 | 5,724 | 184 |
| Lehigh Valley IronPigs | 585,167 | 8,242 | 176 |
| Richmond Flying Squirrels | 446,679 | 6,768 | 173 |
| Somerset Patriots | 348,758 | 5,449 | 170 |
| Winston-Salem Dash | 262,074 | 4,296 | 169 |
| Oklahoma City Comets | 395,026 | 5,411 | 168 |
| Columbia Fireflies | 224,566 | 3,622 | 165 |
| Jupiter Hammerheads | 53,292 | 820 | 165 |
| Greensboro Grasshoppers | 254,232 | 4,101 | 147 |
| Daytona Tortugas | 109,606 | 1,713 | 98 |
| Lake Elsinore Storm | 108,976 | 1,651 | 92 |
| Spokane Indians | 264,416 | 4,006 | 86 |
| Greenville Drive | 305,267 | 4,770 | 83 |
| Bradenton Marauders | 71,507 | 1,135 | 81 |
| Gwinnett Stripers | 191,271 | 2,694 | 74 |
Top 25 MiLB Attendance Decliners In 2025
| Team | ATTENDANCE | AVG | CHANGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento River Cats | 302,961 | 4,039 | -1,498 |
| Arkansas Travelers | 256,374 | 3,826 | -1,133 |
| Salt Lake Bees | 395,534 | 5,274 | -1,070 |
| Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders | 261,127 | 3,840 | -780 |
| Lake County Captains | 170,233 | 2,702 | -704 |
| Tampa Tarpons | 19,475 | 348 | -645 |
| Norfolk Tides | 370,537 | 5,530 | -608 |
| Indianapolis Indians | 570,677 | 7,817 | -588 |
| Buffalo Bisons | 425,517 | 6,079 | -575 |
| Charlotte Knights | 425,461 | 5,749 | -524 |
| Jersey Shore BlueClaws | 216,969 | 3,874 | -497 |
| Fort Wayne TinCaps | 327,542 | 5,118 | -472 |
| Rancho Cucamonga Quakes | 129,092 | 1,956 | -433 |
| Quad Cities River Bandits | 153,042 | 2,319 | -417 |
| Louisville Bats | 328,441 | 4,692 | -404 |
| Fredericksburg Nationals | 201,065 | 3,296 | -397 |
| Rochester Red Wings | 431,265 | 6,074 | -380 |
| Tulsa Drillers | 322,452 | 4,813 | -365 |
| Bowling Green Hot Rods | 119,824 | 1,933 | -362 |
| Fresno Grizzlies | 241,709 | 3,662 | -345 |
| Binghamton Rumble Ponies | 120,627 | 1,977 | -341 |
| Hartford Yard Goats | 389,496 | 5,813 | -327 |
| Vancouver Canadians | 277,990 | 4,344 | -315 |
| Amarillo Sod Poodles | 319,646 | 4,843 | -309 |
| New Hampshire Fisher Cats | 207,425 | 3,400 | -304 |
