Indians slash concession prices at Progressive

[Parker Hageman]

Eric Fisher of the SportsBusiness Journal tweeted today that the Cleveland Indians will be slashing prices on concessions at their ballpark this year, dropping hot dogs to $3 and beers to $4, among other items.

 

Fisher said the Indians were inspired to lower prices after research showed that the cost of concessions was a major inhibitor towards purchasing tickets so they are knocking a buck-fifty off the foamy sticker price. Meanwhile, heading into the 2012 season, at $7 a cup, the Minnesota Twins had the third-highest beer prices among all MLB teams - only the Marlins, Phillies and Tigers charged more for their brew on average.

 

With the Twins projecting another decrease in attendance, wouldn't following the Indians' suit make sense?

 

UPDATE: Twins president Dave St. Peter responded to the post on this pricing change and tweeted that the team has implemented a discount of 10% off concessions to all season ticket holders this year.

[Boom Boom]

We'll have to wait and see how it works for Cleveland. I'd certainly be more likely to buy a ticket to a Twins game if the concession prices were lower.

[minn55441]

You would think they could sell a lot more beer at $5 a bottle rather than $7.75 or whatever they are charging now. They would certainly create some goodwill among fans with a move like.

[nicksaviking]

Last year the Twins and Indians were seperated by 4 wins. I think it is fair to say that if the Indians finish more than 4 games ahead of the Twins in 2013, we can conclude that lowering the beer prices was a major factor and the Twins would need to do so in 2014 to once again compete in the AL Central.

 

Seriously though, lower the prices 10% for the season ticket holders? Does St. Peter really think that's going to drive up demand for season ticket packages? Even if it did, the Tribe cut beer prices by 28%; the beer prices in Cleveland will be 37% cheaper than it will be for Twins season ticket holders, way to keep up. Also thanks buddy, nice to know the rest of us individual ticket buyers are still ripe for gouging.

[Kwak]

Way to be proactive! They sure do lead from the front!

[Boom Boom]

I'd have to buy season tickets? No thanks.

 

I think I'd rather drive out to Cleveland to see a game.

[edavis0308]

Yeah, does St. Peter not get that they lowered their prices for everyone, not just the season ticket holders? Talk about an insult to your average fan going to a game.

 

The sad thing is that here in Des Moines, the beer prices are about as much to see a AAA team as they are going to a Twins game. Talk about a ripoff.

[glanzer]

Great move by the Indians! Concession prices really are a big deterrent, and probably even moreso if you're thinking of taking the whole family. I don't think the idea of concession prices has ever personally kept me from attending a game, but it is sending a good message.

 

I find those numbers surprising that the Twins beer prices were that expensive... I went to a game at Rogers Centre and paid $10 for a Labatt once, and $10 at Yankee Stadium for a Budweiser. You can get a big Surly for under $10 at Target Field.

[TheLeviathan]

  minn55441 said:

You would think they could sell a lot more beer at $5 a bottle rather than $7.75 or whatever they are charging now. They would certainly create some goodwill among fans with a move like.

 

Financially speaking yes, but practically speaking - sometimes you don't want to maximize your beer sales to their fullest. That could lead directly to greater issues at your ballpark that could come with all kinds of tangible and intangible costs.

[Riverbrian]

Concession prices have never stopped me from attending a game but they have stopped me from buying actual concessions.

[luke829]

You'd think having a brewery in their own back yard would lead to lower prices right off the bat, but then again I have the Schell Brewery right in my own home town and prices here are more expensive than they anywhere in the state for that particular brew.

[notoriousgod71]

  Riverbrian said:

Concession prices have never stopped me from attending a game but they have stopped me from buying actual concessions.

 

The Twins have stopped me from attending a game but they haven't stopped me from buying beer.

[ashbury]

  nicksaviking said:

Last year the Twins and Indians were seperated by 4 wins. I think it is fair to say that if the Indians finish more than 4 games ahead of the Twins in 2013, we can conclude that lowering the beer prices was a major factor and the Twins would need to do so in 2014 to once again compete in the AL Central.

 

I hear there are some very good beers at Cedar Rapids and New Britain this year, so by 2015 the concessions landscape at Target Field might be quite a lot different. Proper fermentation takes time, my brother.

 

  TheLeviathan said:

Financially speaking yes, but practically speaking - sometimes you don't want to maximize your beer sales to their fullest. That could lead directly to greater issues at your ballpark that could come with all kinds of tangible and intangible costs.

 

I don't know if five dollars is low enough to cause the kind of problems you mean. Maybe I'm just too cheap.

 

I also wonder if Cleveland's cups o' beer will be small in 2013 than they were in 2012.

[ashbury]

  notoriousgod71 said:

The Twins have stopped me from attending a game but they haven't stopped me from buying beer.

 

Beer has stopped me from finding the ballpark. Oh dear, are we running afoul of the posting guidelines, yet again?

[TheLeviathan]

  ashburyjohn said:

I don't know if five dollars is low enough to cause the kind of problems you mean. Maybe I'm just too cheap.

 

I also wonder if Cleveland's cups o' beer will be small in 2013 than they were in 2012.

 

Yeah, I'm not claiming to know or anything. Just have to imagine if they sold beers for $3, it would cause all sorts of other problems.

[Thrylos]

That's cheaper than the Twins' ST beer and soda prices; could be cheaper than the Indians' ST beer and soda prices as well. And definitely cheaper than my local AAA team's prices. Those are at the AA level.

[gil4]

  Riverbrian said:

Concession prices have never stopped me from attending a game but they have stopped me from buying actual concessions.

 

I agree. I rarely buy ballpark concessions unless we happen to be there for a $1 hot dog day or something like that. We normally go out to eat before, drink water during the game, and bring granola bars in for snacks. The kids know the deal.

[Riverbrian]

I got tossed out for bringing my own food to the(game)... The concession prices were outrageous besides... I haven't had a good barbecue in a long time -- Stephen Wright

[kab21]

I eat before the game and only get a drink if I need to at the game. Carrying snacks in works also. I find it hard to applaud Cleveland for anything. They lowered the price of a hot dog from an outrageous $4 to a still outrageous $3. it's a fricken hot dog.

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

Bring your own peanuts, and $4 beers? Take me out to the ballgame!

[drjim]

You can bring your own food and water into Target Field. Beer might be a little tricky.

[luke829]

I always used to use the same strategy at the movie theater; $5.00 popcorn my ***.

[drjim]

I mean without even being sneaky. I have brought sandwich bags or to go boxes from restaurants and there is no problem. Same with water.

[John Bonnes]

Relative to other MLB teams, I think the Twins have been pretty gracious about allowing fans to bring their own food and water to games. I've brought a Jimmy John's in several times last year.

[twinsnorth49]

  TheLeviathan said:

Yeah, I'm not claiming to know or anything. Just have to imagine if they sold beers for $3, it would cause all sorts of other problems.

 

Definitely longer lineups at the urinals.

[twinsnorth49]

Ticket to a Twins game $5.00, Beer at the game, $7.00, watching Kevin Correia pitch another 3 innings of 10 hit ball.........priceless.

[cartel8791member]

I bring in my own bag of Fisher peanuts every game. 24 oz. bag for $4, Target Field 6 oz. bag for $4.50. At least it makes me feel a little better about paying $7.75 for a beer.

[cartel8791member]

Oh, and they charged $1 more per beer at the Chesney concert.

[spideyo]

I really, REALLY hate to mention it....but.....

 

Beer prices are going up at Target Field this year. If you are a season ticket holder, you get the 10% off, but it ONLY applies if you have the card with you and present it before you pay or before they close out your tab.

 

I don't remember exactly the prices, but I think the average will be $8.

 

I suggest this: Reef Dram Sandal | Uncrate

[zenser]

Boston is also lowering concession through the month of April.

 

Sellout over? Boston Red Sox offer cheaper beer, dogs - ESPN Boston