Austin Riley hit a crucial three-run homer in the eighth inning, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB playoffs. Despite the excitement, attendance at day games has been low, with the Braves drawing only 30,127 fans, well below the stadium’s capacity. This trend is common since the playoffs expanded in 2022, as weekday afternoon games are hard for fans to attend due to work and school commitments. The league schedules these games for TV viewership, but it results in less-than-ideal atmospheres for important matches. Phillies player Alec Bohm noted that the team focuses on winning rather than crowd size. MLB has not commented on attendance issues, but the scheduling aims to maximize TV audiences, with networks paying significant sums for broadcast rights.
QUESTION: How might the scheduling of important events during weekdays impact fan engagement and the overall experience of attending live sports?
Thin MLB crowds in Atlanta, Houston show challenge of selling afternoon Wild Card Series tickets
