The New York Yankees need not be reminded of the gem Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel threw at Yankee Stadium during the AL Wild Card game last October. There is a heightened sense of optimism heading into the 2016 season, however. After acquiring infielder Starlin Castro from the Chicago Cubs and closer Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds, Yankee Stadium will be alive and well with All-Star talent beginning in April.
Along with the added hype and marquee roster additions will also be a larger demand for tickets on the secondary market. As it stands now the average price for New York Yankees tickets through all 81 games at Yankee Stadium is $110.76. That marks a 27.9% increase from last year’s average of $83.63. More than a half dozen games currently own an average price above $150, including divisional games against the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox and crosstown rival Mets in August.
That shouldn’t deter fans from making traveling arrangements to New York City this spring and summer, however. The Yankees won’t be left to lick their wounds for long as they welcome the Astros to the Bronx in early April. An August 14 game against the Rays, which will honor Mariano Rivera with his own plaque in Monument Park before the game, is currently the most expensive on Yankees schedule this season, with tickets averaging $227.59 and the cheapest ticket listed for $37. Fans can expect the Yankees’ shut-down relief to be on full display with a lead, as Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Chapman round out what is considered the most feared bullpen in the Majors this year.
Reasons to travel to Yankee Stadium don’t just end with the Yankees. New York City Football Club, New York’s newest sporting franchise, will launch its second season in the Bronx beginning on March 13 against Toronto FC. Tickets for the opening game are considerably cheaper than the Yankees’ Opening Day one month later, with an average secondary market price of $70.75 and a $23 get-in price. It will fall in the middle of the price pack in relation to the whole season, however, as seven other games are averaging a higher price. A July 3 game against the crosstown New York Red Bulls is the most expensive match of the season for NYCFC, with tickets averaging $110.79 and the cheapest ticket listed for $39.
NYCFC is coming off an underwhelming inaugural year after going just 10-17-7 and finishing 17th overall in the league. Much of the season was dedicated to the ongoing participation controversy regarding Frank Lampard, who played just 10 games and posted three goals in that time. Lampard, the all-time leading goalscorer for Chelsea, did little to contribute to a postseason push for NYCFC in 2015.
There is reason to believe that the upcoming year will be a monumental one at Yankee Stadium. With the Yankees bolstering their roster and NYCFC hoping to break out and place in the MLS Playoffs, 2016 will be a fruitful year for the fan hell-bent on making the trip to the Bronx.
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