- Total June 2016 Tampa Bay Rays home attendance: 230,219
- Average attendance per game: 17,709
- Highest attendance: 40,135 on Friday, June 17th
- Lowest attendance: 10,729 on Thursday, June 30th
- Average June game time: 3 hours, 10 minutes
- Highest attended series: 81,414 vs Giants, June 17-19
- Lowest attended series: 35,025 vs Mariners, June 14-16
- Competing events:
- June 27th: WWE RAW June 27 @ Amalie Arena
- June 18th: Tampa Bay Storm Arena Football @ Amalie Arena (Attendance: 9,670)
- June 17th: Keith Urban concert @ MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater
- June 11th: Tampa Bay Storm Arena Football @ Amalie Arena (Attendance: 8,418)
- Total Tampa Bay Minor League June attendance: 75,043
- Tampa Bay Minor League attendance per game: 1,416 (53 games)
Comparing June 2016 with previous years
The following chart compares June 2016 average attendance to other recent years.
The average June 2016 attendance was 22.3% better (3,228 fans per game) than the June 2015 per game average. June 2016 was the highest average June attendance since 2012. The Rays have also not had a winning record at home in June since 2009, proving again that wins and attendance are not correlated.
Weekdays vs Weekends
Let’s now look at the Rays June attendance on weekdays (Mon-Thurs) and weekends (Fri-Sun). As I have pointed out many times, the Rays usually have one of the biggest differences in Major League Baseball in regards to weekday versus weekend attendance.
This chart shows the Rays average weekday attendance in June since 2007.
In 2016, the Rays stopped a 4-year slide in June average weekday attendance. Average weekday attendance in June was its highest since 2012.
The following chart shows Rays average weekend attendance in June since 2007.
June 2016 weekend average attendance also saw an increase in attendance over June 2015 average attendance. June 2016 weekend average attendance was the highest since the 2012 June weekend average.
- 2016 June weekend games (average attendance): 6 games (20,891)
- 2016 June weekday games (average attendance): 7 games (14,982)
- Percentage increase on weekends: 39.4%
Conclusion
An increase in average attendance in June 2016 is a good sign. Since 2007, June has been the Rays second worst month for average attendance. It was the worst month in 2010 and 2014. It has never been their best month for average attendance. So an increase in June might indicate increased interest in buying Rays tickets.
Of course, the biggest driver for attendance in June 2016 was the Pride Night sell-out of over 40,000 fans. The game, which was a promotional event to raise money for the Orlando tragedy, marked the first time in 10 years the Rays filled the Trop completely, removing the tarps in the upper deck. While Pride Night effected the overall and weekend attendance, it is important to note average weekday attendance also increased 28%. The reason for this increase is primarily the above average attendance for the Rays series against the Red Sox from June 27 to June 29th, including another return start for longtime Rays pitcher David Price.
The increase in Rays attendance on dates the Red Sox visit is interesting, as Red Sox visiting attendance has dropped considerably in recent years. Perhaps visiting opponent record is worth looking into as a factor for attendance. Do more fans come to Tropicana Field to see Red Sox versus Rays when Team A is good, Team B is good, or both teams are good?
There were also some very good promotional dates in June, to include Top Off The Trop/FSU Day (June 18) and Star Wars Day (June 11).
Upcoming in July is the Rays typical best month for average attendance. They play 9 weekend games and only 4 weekday games all month, to include a final July series against the Yankees, Tampa Bay's second favorite team. So all the factors are there for another successful July.