MLB attendance before May hits 7-year high

May 2nd, 2024

Whether it’s at the ballpark or on television, fans have been flocking to watch baseball so far this season.

Major League Baseball announced Wednesday that an average of 26,927 fans have attended games across the Majors in 2024, the largest figure through the end of April since 2017 and a 0.9% increase over '23.

Viewership is also up for national broadcasts on FOX, ESPN and MLB Network. MLB on FOX has drawn 25% more viewers on average (1.876 million vs. 1.496 million) than it did last season, while ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball viewership has increased by 19% (1.636 million vs. 1.372 million). Meanwhile, live games on MLB Network are drawing 13% more viewers compared to 2023.

There's been an increase in younger viewers as well. MLB on FOX has seen a 32% increase in viewership among fans ranging from 18-34 years old, while viewership for ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball has increased by 38% in the same demographic. Viewership among adults 18-34 has increased by 50% for live games on MLB Network.