MLB reported 71,752,722 fans across 2,425 dates in 2026, up 343,301 (0.48%) from 2025 for its fourth consecutive attendance gain. Baseball-Reference says the Rays drew 628,225 more fans after returning to Tropicana Field, helping drive the leaguewide rise.
MLB’s 2026 total was its highest since 2017, when it drew 72,670,423. Its previous run of four straight attendance increases was 2004–07. In 2025, the Rays played at George M. Steinbrenner Field while Tropicana Field’s roof was repaired after Hurricane Milton in 2024.
Attendance rose at 13 clubs and fell at 17. Other teams with increases included the White Sox (+540,687), Blue Jays (+488,943) and Mariners (+345,745). The Mets had the largest decline, down 472,450.
