Who really has the most loyal fans in the MLB?

We wanted to know which teams have the absolutely most loyal fan bases in the MLB. So, we took to the data to objectively determine which teams have the biggest and best backing throughout the league, and we think you’re going to be intrigued by what we found.

Where does your team stand? 

What Teams Pull in the Most Revenue?

MLB teams are businesses. They make money and lots of it. So it goes without saying that the more revenue a team brings in is an indicator of how loved and valued they are by their fans. Of course, there are several variables to this, but it’s one of a few indicators we used.

With that, we looked at the operating income of all 30 MLB teams across the league and found some surprising results.

There’s no surprise that the number 1 team when it comes to operating income in the MLB is none other than the Seattle Mariners. They bring in a whopping $86 million per year. Following right behind them are the San Francisco Giants with $75 million and the Boston Red Sox with $72 million.

If that doesn’t scream one of the most loved teams with the most loyal fan base, I’m not sure what does.

Some of the other teams that follow shortly behind them are the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers, with $67 million and $58 million, respectively.

However, with the Rangers being the reigning World Series champions, we expect that number to be a bit higher as we go into the 2024 MLB season.

MLB Teams by Attendance

Another major factor we looked at when determining which teams have the most loyal fan bases is their attendance numbers. After all, if the team is crushing it at the ticket window, they have to have a fan base that loves them.

Topping the charts is the Los Angeles Dodgers, who bring in an average attendance of over 47,000 fans at every home game, with 81 games throughout the season at Dodger Stadium, which comes out to 3,837,079 total attendance for last season. However, when you consider that their stadium has some of the most seats in the league at 56,000, they’re not exactly packing it to the brim each game. But neither are any of the other teams.

Right behind the Dodgers, but not exactly a close second, is the New York Yankees, with an average of 40,862 fans at each of their 80 games. That comes out to 3,269,016 for the season. Yankee Stadium is slightly smaller, with a capacity of 46,537, but it goes to show they’re not selling out every home game either.

The Padres, Cardinals, and Braves are not too far behind those teams, with 3,271,554, 3,156,554, and 3,109,156, respectively. These are not bad numbers, considering the team with the lowest total fans is the Oakland Athletics, with a measly 832,352 in attendance throughout the 2023 season. There’s no wonder they’re seeking to move to Las Vegas. They’re trying to hype up a new fan base.

Positive Outlooks on Teams 

Sometimes, when you want to find out what team has the most loyalty, just ask the fans. So we did.

We reached out through our site at HelloRookie and even our social media channels to ask the fans what teams they had a positive attitude towards.

These aren’t necessarily dedicated MLB fans but a mix of baseball fanatics and those of other teams. We totaled over 3,200 fans to get their opinion, and here’s what we found out.

Topping this list is the Chicago Cubs, with a whopping 51% favorable opinion. In total, 1,645 of our respondents had a positive opinion of the Cubbies. Right behind them is the LA Dodgers at 47% and the NY Yankees at 45%.

We totally expected to see the Dodgers and Yankees on the list, given they were leaders in attendance numbers, but the Cubs surprised us.

Not too far down the list were the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Sox, with 44% each. We were also surprised by the Phillies, given that the city is known to get a little rowdy with other teams.

Methodology

To gauge the loyalty of MLB fans, we used a comprehensive methodology. This approach combines financial, attendance, and perceptual indicators to paint a detailed picture of fan devotion across the league.

Here’s how we did it—

• Operating income analysis. We started by examining the operating income of all 30 MLB teams for the 2022 season. This financial metric is a strong indicator of a team’s economic health and, by extension, its popularity. Teams with higher operating incomes often enjoy increased fan support.
• Attendance figures. We then analyzed attendance records for each team from the 2023 season. This data gives a clear picture of fan engagement and dedication. Teams with consistently high attendance, regardless of their performance, signal an intensely loyal fan base.
• Stadium capacity consideration. To add context to attendance figures, we looked at the capacity of each team’s stadium. This helps in understanding how full the stadiums are on average and provides insight into the intensity of fan support.
• Fan sentiment survey. In the end, we conducted a survey to capture fan sentiments. This involved reaching out to a diverse mix of baseball enthusiasts and casual observers. We asked them to express their positive attitudes towards different MLB teams. The results offered a subjective measure of team popularity and fan loyalty.

This multifaceted approach allowed us to create a well-rounded view of MLB fan loyalty, combining hard financial and attendance data with the more subjective but equally important fan opinions.

So What Teams Have the Most Fan Loyalty?

Heading into the 2024 season, we’ve got a good idea of how loyal each of the fan bases is. There may be some variations due to other factors, such as the Rangers coming off of a WS championship and other teams that might not fare too well with injuries.

However, if you’re rallying with any of the top teams, you’re in good company.

1. Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs stand at the pinnacle of fan loyalty, ranking first in our HelloRookie Loyalty Score. With an impressive 51% positive sentiment and an average attendance of 34,261 fans, filling 82.26% of their stadium capacity, the Cubs’ fan base showcases immense devotion. Their financial health, reflected by an operating income of $57 million, further solidifies their top position.

2. Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox clinch the second spot in fan loyalty. Their fans are not just numerous, averaging 32,989 per game, but also deeply committed, filling 87.38% of their stadium, the highest percentage among top teams. The team’s significant operating income of $72 million, coupled with a 42% positive sentiment, underscores the strong bond between the Red Sox and their supporters.

3. St. Louis Cardinals

Ranking third, the St. Louis Cardinals boast a remarkable fan engagement. Their average attendance of 39,956 and a stadium filled to 90.03% reflect a deeply loyal fan base. Although their operating income of $43 million is lower compared to the Cubs and Red Sox, the Cardinals’ 44% positive sentiment and high attendance figures demonstrate the unwavering support of their fans.

4. Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves come in fourth, distinguished by the highest stadium fill rate of 95.79%. With an average attendance of 39,356 and a positive sentiment of 41%, the Braves fans show immense loyalty and enthusiasm. Their operating income of $51 million further attests to the strong financial backing provided by their dedicated fan base.

5. San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants secure the fifth spot in our loyalty rankings. They attract an average of 30,665 fans per game, filling 74.31% of their stadium. The Giants’ substantial operating income of $75 million, one of the league’s highest, and a 43% positive sentiment, reflects a strong and financially supportive fan base.

6. Texas Rangers

Ranked sixth, the Texas Rangers demonstrate noteworthy fan loyalty. They enjoy a healthy average attendance of 31,272, filling 77.60% of their stadium. The Rangers’ operating income of $58 million, combined with a 42% positive sentiment and their recent World Series championship, suggests a growing and passionate fan base.

7. New York Yankees

The New York Yankees, a legendary name in baseball, come in at seventh. With a striking average attendance of 40,862 and filling 87.81% of their large stadium, their fan base’s loyalty is evident. Despite a lower operating income of $16 million, the Yankees maintain a high 45% positive sentiment, reflecting their iconic status in the sport.

8. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers, ranking eighth, have the highest average attendance at 47,371, indicating a massive and dedicated fan base. They fill 84.59% of their league-leading stadium capacity. However, a relatively lower operating income of $14 million and a 47% positive sentiment show a complex picture of fan loyalty.

9. Philadelphia Phillies

In ninth place, the Philadelphia Phillies boast an impressive 88.94% stadium fill rate with an average attendance of 38,157. Despite a negative operating income of -$3.7 million, their 44% positive sentiment highlights a loyal fan base, especially considering the city’s reputation for passionate sports followers.

10. Houston Astros

The Houston Astros round out the top ten. Their fans are among the most dedicated, with a 91.53% stadium fill rate and an average attendance of 37,683. Although their positive sentiment is lower at 35%, their operating income of $44 million indicates solid financial support from their fan base.

11. Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners, ranked 11th, show a solid fan base. Their average attendance of 32,933, filling 68.71% of their stadium, is commendable. They lead in operating income with $86 million and a 36% positive sentiment, indicating a financially strong and supported team.

12. Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles, in 12th place, present a unique case. Their average attendance is 23,506, filling just over half their stadium at 52.27%. However, their high operating income of $67 million and a 40% positive sentiment suggest a core group of dedicated fans.

13. Milwaukee Brewers

Ranked 13th, the Brewers attract an average of 31,211 fans, filling 74.49% of their stadium. Their operating income of $23 million and a 41% positive sentiment indicate a strong connection with their fan base despite not being the top earners.

14. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates, in 14th place, have an average attendance of 20,033, filling their stadium at 51.70%. Their operating income of $55 million and a 41% positive sentiment reflect a loyal but smaller fan base.

15. Toronto Blue Jays

At 15th, the Blue Jays boast a high average attendance of 37,186 and an impressive 89.60% stadium fill rate. However, their negative operating income of -$34 million contrasts with their 39% positive sentiment, showing a complex fan loyalty scenario.

16. Los Angeles Angels

The Angels, ranked 16th, draw an average of 32,688 fans, filling 71.81% of their stadium. While they draw more fans each year than any other team, it might just be they have good prices on hot dogs. Their operating income of $36 million and 36% positive sentiment suggest a stable but not overly enthusiastic fan base.

17. San Diego Padres

Coming in at 17th, the Padres have a remarkable 100.45% stadium fill rate with an average attendance of 40,389. Despite this, a negative operating income of -$53 million and a 37% positive sentiment point to challenges in fan monetization.

18. New York Mets

The Mets, in 18th place, see an average attendance of 32,801, with a 78.24% stadium fill rate. Their significantly negative operating income of -$138 million, alongside a 41% positive sentiment, indicates strong fan presence but financial difficulties.

19. Chicago White Sox

Ranking 19th, the White Sox have an average attendance of 21,301, filling 52.45% of their stadium. A negative operating income of -$53 million and a 44% positive sentiment reflect a dedicated fan base, though not among the league’s largest.

20. Washington Nationals

The Nationals, at 20th, average 23,034 fans per game, with a 55.72% fill rate. Their operating income of $45 million and a 33% positive sentiment suggest mid-level fan loyalty, balancing financial health with fan engagement.

21. Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds, holding the 21st spot, showcase moderate fan engagement with an average attendance of 25,164 and a stadium fill rate of 57.85%. Despite a negative operating income of -$9.6 million, their 40% positive sentiment indicates a loyal fan base that remains supportive.

22. Arizona Diamondbacks

Ranking 22nd, the Arizona Diamondbacks have an average attendance of 23,970, filling 49.52% of their stadium. With a positive operating income of $30 million and a 39% positive sentiment, the Diamondbacks demonstrate financial stability and a solid, if not expansive, fan base.

23. Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians, at 23rd, draw an average crowd of 23,513, achieving a 67.51% fill rate. Their operating income of $40 million, combined with a lower 25% positive sentiment, suggests financial health but a need to foster stronger fan connections.

24. Minnesota Twins

The Twins, placed 24th, see an average attendance of 24,371, filling 63.23% of their stadium. Despite a negative operating income of -$27 million, their 39% positive sentiment points to a dedicated core of fans.

25. Colorado Rockies

At 25th, the Colorado Rockies attracted an average of 32,079 fans, with a 68.40% fill rate. Their negative operating income of -$9.1 million contrasts with a 35% positive sentiment, indicating a loyal fan base but financial challenges.

26. Kansas City Royals

The Royals, ranking 26th, have a lower average attendance of 15,996 and a 42.20% stadium fill rate. Their operating income of $33 million and a 35% positive sentiment reflect a smaller but financially supportive fan community. We really thought the Royals would come out better than this.

27. Detroit Tigers

Coming in at 27th, the Tigers draw 20,416 fans on average, filling 49.69% of their stadium. A negative operating income of -$26 million and a 38% positive sentiment suggest a need for stronger fan engagement and financial turnaround.

28. Miami Marlins

The Marlins, at 28th place, have a modest average attendance of 14,355 and a low 38.34% stadium fill rate. Their near-break-even operating income of -$0.5 million, coupled with a 38% positive sentiment, indicates a fan base with potential for growth.

29. Oakland Athletics

Ranking 29th, the Athletics have the lowest attendance in the league at 10,275, filling only 18.10% of their stadium. However, their operating income of $29 million, along with a 35% positive sentiment, shows a financially stable yet fanatically underserved team. It makes total sense why they’re looking to move to Las Vegas.

30. Tampa Bay Rays

At the bottom at 30th, the Tampa Bay Rays see an average attendance of 17,781, filling just 41.61% of their stadium. Despite a positive operating income of $9.5 million, their 32% positive sentiment reflects the need for stronger fan engagement and community connection. Sure, they can win games and even make it to the World Series, but their following obviously lacks.

Think We Got it Right?

It’s clear that while revenue, attendance, and positive sentiment are key indicators, fan loyalty is a multifaceted phenomenon. Sometimes, it’s almost unexplainable.

Teams like the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox demonstrate this with their impressive blend of financial health, attendance records, and capping it off with fan affection. 

Whether you’re cheering for a team topping the charts or supporting one that’s building its legacy, every fan’s dedication contributes to MLB fandom. 

As we gear up for another exciting season, the unwavering support of the fans truly defines the game’s spirit.