Yankees finish tops in the AL in attendance

The Yankees had a successful season on the field in 2019, and they also had a successful year in the stands as well.

The Yankees drew over 3.3 million fans to Yankee Stadium in 2019, an average of 41,827 per game. They trailed only the Dodgers and Cardinals, who drew 3.9 and 3.4 million fans each respectively. The Yankees attendance was slightly down from last year, when they drew 3.4 million fans and averaged 42,998 per game. Last year there was a ton of buzz coming off of the Stanton trade, so this makes sense.

The Yankees have had solid attendance numbers since breaking in the new stadium in 2009. The only years they dipped below a 40k average were 2015 through 2017. Despite being mediocre in 2013 and 2014, the Yankees benefited from the retirement tours of Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter during those years.

While it was a fun regular season, it often felt like a dress rehearsal for the playoffs. Every playoff game is expected to sell out, as fans are starving for a championship and ready to make noise.

Turning the page to the playoffs, it’s nice that the Yankees are finally getting some weekend home games. Across 2017 and 2018, all of the Yankees home playoff games came on Sunday-Wednesday. With games one and two of the ALDS set for Friday and Saturday nights, expect a rocking crowd for both games. Here’s what Brett Gardner told Erik Boland about the playoff crowds:

“Chaotic. I mean, it’s like a big party. Our fans always do a great job of not just being on our side but getting on the other team and making it even more of a homefield advantage for us.”

There’s no way to say how the actual game will shape out on Friday, but you know the Yankee Stadium faithful will show up and show out.

Now we just need the players to do their part.