Plenty of Yankee season tickets up for grabs

Could see more games when teh attendance is like this.

Compared to past years the Yankees put season plans on sale much earlier this year. Before the holidays you could actually purchase some plans. It was a sign then that even the Yankees realized they are going to be spending alot of time this year pushing tickets.

Right now you can grab seats for almost any type of plan, any place in the stadium. This is a sign unseen for the past few seasons, especially since the new stadium opened. This is great for partial plan holders like myself who were able to upgrade to seats they wanted, but could never get (Moved from 12 game plan to Saturday plan). But for the Yankees it shows a problem that has been brewing the past few seasons. The Yankees have made the playoff each season since the new house has opened but yet they are still losing ticker holders. The easy answer is the prices, sure the Yankees still had the second highest attendance in baseball last year but it won't be the case this year. With the economy still a mess, the bombers chose to raise prices on the cheap seats, thus causing more fans to drop out.

It could be the price of winning, the price of a superstar players, and the price of living in New York but the Steinbrenners and the ticket office have also out priced the market. Last season, tickets for undesirable games could be had for one dollar or even less. What is the point of buying tickets if they can't even be sold for face value back. Of course if you plan to attend the games and like your seat location it makes sense but otherwise its doesn't make sense. The Yankees have built themselves quite a mess, this could be the first season at the new stadium, that the wings of the upper deck may be empty just like at the old place.

Have fans lost interest in the Subway Series?

As we mentioned in yesterdays post, this is the 15th season that interleague play has been apart of baseball, of course the traditionalists hate it, but attendance proves otherwise. Adding to that attendance is match ups with the inter-city rivals, like the Mets and the Yankees. But when last nights contest between the two clubs, didn't sell out and tickets could be had on the cheap on the secondary market, you must question if the rivalry in the stands still matters.

It was alarming to see tickets so cheap for a Subway Series game last night on Stubhub and other markets, but the weather was a factor with the possibility of showers all night. But also remember that tickets were likely on the cheap, because both fans have had their fair share of issues with these teams.

The Yankees have played awful after getting off to a hot start, and as we have noticed tickets haven't been selling this year, even against teams like the Boston Red Sox. If they have an issue against the Red Sox, a team that many would consider a bigger rivalry, then the same issue would be had with the Mets. But it is not just Yankee fans, that have frustrations, Met fans have had a life full of misery. This year isnt much better, as the Mets have had low expectations from the start, but have gotten off to a nice start. But that doesn't mean the Mets fans are looking for some torment at Yankee Stadium, as last year they also got off to a decent start and still fell behind .500.

Even though the Yankees did not consider it a sell out they still sold 47,000 + tickets and it was the largest crowd of the season. In large part, most of the tickets that went unsold were the most expensive seats that have had a problem selling all season. The series, has not lost any of the polish, just the teams have. The fans are still into the game, but high ticket prices and lack luster teams have killed a bit of the polish of the Subway Series in 2011.

Ticketmaster introduces new interactive seat chart

For years Stubhub has used a seating map where you could simply click the section and it would tell you the row and the price. Well now Ticketmaster has taken it one step further, introducing a new interactive seating chart for Yankee tickets where you can check the exact seat you want. You can tell if the seat is on the aisle, how many seats are available and even determine if you are covered by an overhang.

Screen shot courtesy of @StadiumInsider.

I searched through a few games and realized the obvious, tons of expensive seats are available, even for premium games like this weekends series against the Red Sox, the following week against the Mets and even for weekend summer games like old timers day against the Rockies.

This is helpful though, because I realized that the Yankees aren't lying when they say all the bleacher seats are sold out, but I also realize that they hold back a lot of seats to sell as packages. If Ticketmaster and the Yankees could just lower the charges (Yanks the ticket prices, and Ticketmaster handling fees) I know I would rather be able to buy the exact seats I want knowing that they are possibly the first row or possibly aisle seats.

Yankee Stadium Notes: Metallica tickets go on sale and 5K run to be held

Last year during the Jay-Z and Eminem concert

Today tickets went on sale for the "big four" concert at Yankee Stadium in September. The "big four" is considered Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeath, all heavy metal bands from the 80's. The prices for this event were almost double the amount they were for the Jay-Z/Eminem concert that they held last year at the stadium around the same time. For the rap concert last year the prices started at $52.50 but this year it will cost $94.50 to get in the door and hear Enter Sandman live.

I wasn't born till the 90's and metal isn't really my style of music so, I will say I have never heard of any of those bands other then Metallica. But close to $100 to get in seems very steep, Metallica has a reputation for being money hungry, and so do the Yankees so that's always a bad combo.


On to some cheaper news that will benefit a good cause, Yankee Stadium will be hosting the Damon Ruyon walk/run for cancer research again this summer. So save the date of August 7th for chance to check out the stadium, and even get a chance to run on the warning track along the field. I have never done it but it seems like a really cool experience. It does cost $40 to register and you must raise $60 to participate, but remember its going to a good cause. Michael LaPayower, winner of the 2010 YES Network fan of the year has set up a team called "BigYankeeFan" and is attempting to raise money to run for the cause, so help him out!

Yankee Stadium has become Stubhub central

Behind Soriano are some seats that didn't sell.

Doesn't seem like long ago that the Yankees were selling out every night of the old Yankee Stadium. Ticket prices were high, but fairly priced for a team that was making the playoffs each season and tickets on the secondary market were going for a premium.

Flash forward to 2011. The prices at the new Yankee Stadium are much higher then they were just four seasons ago, yet they have still sold 3.3 million tickets this season. But it seems as if nobody is going to these games early in the season. Opening Day had 48,000 plus fans, but plenty of seats were available but that could be easily blamed on weather. The next game was a Saturday, against the Tigers again, and the stadium was barley at 40,000 and it looked like much less. The crowds around 40,000 have become a mini trend here, with each of the Twins games along with the other Tigers games attendance all falling short of a sell out.

Even Opening Day could be had on Stubhub for less
then face value.

Ticket prices on the secondary market are now laughable. For all the Twins games tickets could be had for less then $1, yes you are reading that correct ONE DOLLAR! The all inclusive Legend seats that were once prices at $2,500 big ones were going for $200. Field Level seats that ran as much as $325 were going for $30, and majority of regular seats in the Main, Terrace, Grandstand and Bleachers could be had for less then $20.

So why suddenly did the secondary market crash? Some say its because the Yankees are the ones who are putting up tons of seats on Stubhub themselves. I don't understand that logic, but I could see where people begin to believe that when blocks of 20 seats are available together. But what is most likely is that supply and demand are simply down, and add that with a weak economy and over priced tickets. The new Yankee Stadium pricing was set before the economy really crashed, and at the time it looked like a great idea. But since the economy took a turn for the worse, fans can no longer afford to go to a ball game. That includes season ticket holders, how have to sell off a ton of games to break even or make a small profit. You look on Stubhub and majority of the seats that are listed are likely from season ticket holders and plan holder who can not make it to all the games they own and would like to make back some money on their seats.

But why is it that season ticket holders can no longer attend all the games? Well most season ticket holders don't attend every single game, but everything that goes with attending a ball game cost money. Transportation can cost alot especially if you are not taking the subway. The metro north, LIRR, PATH all can be expensive and a hassle at times. You must run on their schedule not your own. If you want to run on your own schedule then you try and drive, but gas prices are sky rocketing, tolls are very high and parking not costs a whopping $35! Add in some food and drinks for the trip and suddenly your spending a small fortune.

Stubhub has ruined the secondary market for season ticket holders and brokers, but for the average fan who attends just the occasional game its a great feature. For attendance at the stadium, well it might be too early to judge. 2007-2010 was unique since it was the final seasons of the original Yankee Stadium and then the opening of the new one, but prior to that the stadium didn't sell out each night. If the trend continues then the Yanks should worry.

Yanks still desperate to sell season tickets; Presale update

The "moat" at Yankee Stadium blocks the peasants
in the cheaper seats away from the few rich guys.

Once again the Yankees are having an open house to purchase season tickets. This Saturday the Yanks will once again try and peddle their expensive seats to new customers.

It is reaching how pathetic that the Bronx bombers are begging for new customers, maybe if they lowered the prices they would have to do this. One of the biggest thing I miss about the old Yankee Stadium was the affordability (or more of it at least).


Pre-sale Update:

Today a bit more info about the presale (all the original info can be had here ) all the dates listed are correct at this time, and new for this year you can get 8 tickets for premium games and 4 tickets to Opening Day. This is an increase from 4 tickets and 2 tickets from last season.

Either way, cant wait for the day that my Yankee tickets arrive at my door, it will be a sign that baseball is back.

Yankees Raise 2011 ticket prices

The cheapest non obstructed seat at Yankee Stadium will now be $15. With the poor economy, many teams are cutting ticket prices but the Yankees are not. Today it was announced that the Yankees will increase six categories, including the bleachers, main level and field level. It was first reported on the LoHud blog here , but then Lonn Trost confirmed it on Mike'D up. Trost claimed that the reason the Yankees increased the prices is because they studied the secondary market and realized many of the seats were being sold for an increase. The entire Trost interview can be heard here.  The Yankees have already changed the prices on the its website seating chart.

I will say that I still plan to renew my seats, and will actually attempt to upgrade my seats to a weekend plan. But it stinks that the Yanks have upped the bleacher seats, although the price is still fair and a great deal. I am befuddled as to why the Yanks would ever increase the seats on the lower level, as it is already the seats are empty and I don't care that Trost attempts to tell me that the seats have been sold, I don't believe that. I do believe that many fans do walk around and get out of their seats.

I will continue to follow the situation throughout the off season, and update my site as soon as any other ticket news it out.

Yankees push Field Level seats at 40% off this homestand

Looking to go to a Yankees game before school starts ? Are you a high roller who can afford to sit on field level ? Well the Yankees have a deal for you ! For the A's, Blue Jays and Orioles series' during this homestand you can get field level seats for 40% off along with other locations with the code : DKNYBTS. The reason I mention the field level over and over is because even though they mention other locations I wouldn't expect any other then maybe a few Jim Bean Suite tickets. I have talked about this a few times but I really hope the Yankees do the right thing next year and again lower the price on the tickets since the economy hasn't picked up much. It would be great publicity for the Yankees to lower the prices on the tickets again to make them more affordable instead of seeing empty seats.

Yanks try and trick those with who support them the most, Season Ticket Holders

Thursday morning I was going through my e-mail when I noticed one from the Yankees about a pre-sale. As a season or partial season ticket holder you get pre-sales to almost every even that is hosted at Yankee Stadium. Although I am not a big college football fan, I have been waiting for them to announce when the pre-sale would be for the Notre Dame vs Army game. So in the e-mail Thursday it says that the pre-sale would be that morning , but it came with a catch. You would have to buy tickets to the Pinstripe Bowl, which is having a hard time selling out and you had to buy one Yankees game along with the ND- Army tickets.

Well I understand that the Pinstripe Bowl has not been a big draw since tickets have gone on sale to the public, so I understand that they are trying to bundle that game in with the Notre Dame game since the ND game is going to have much more demand. What bothers me more is that you must buy a Yankees game. First off I don't want to buy any more games if I am already a plan holder (you could not purchase tickets vs Red Sox or Rays) and the way they worded it in the e-mail. In the e-mail it said " As a special bonus, each football package will also include tickets for a 2010 Yankees home game of your choice."  So at first when i read that i though the Yankees were going to throw in free Yankees tickets, but then realized the Yanks would never do such a thing ! They were forcing you to buy tickets to THREE events !

I was still thinking of purchasing tickets if I was able to keep the costs to a minimum, but when I finally was able to get onto the event page, the only Yankees tickets that were coming up were field level seats and legends seats. The lowest price per seat for the Yankees that I was able to pull up was $ 275. Right away I gave up and realized that this was all a plan by the Yanks to sell expensive tickets.I guess it was naive of myself to ever think that the Yankees would have any affordable tickets available.

I contacted my ticket representative and asked if in the future another pre-sale will take place. Of course she got back to me with a generic answer explaining that if their is going to be another I will be alerted. It wouldn't surprise me if their is another, with possibly just the Pinstripe Bowl or maybe just the ND-Army game alone. But it still bothers that the Yanks would try and trick ticket holders into buying over priced seats in one case and buying tickets to a game that not many care about in another.