NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Coming off their first World Series championship since 1908, the Cubs announced Monday they will increase ticket prices for 2017.
Season-ticket holders will receive an email on Monday with the details. The team said the average ticket price increase will be 19.5 percent, with a range by section from six to 31 percent, and the highest-priced tickets will be for the best seats.
Raising ticket prices is never easy, said vice president of ticketing Cale Vennum, but there were a number of factors considered in establishing the pricing. These include sales data for both the primary and secondary markets, as well as the Cubs' schedule. Next season's calendar includes rare weekend Interleague games against the Yankees (May 5-7) and the Blue Jays (Aug. 18-20), as well as summer weekend rivalry series against the Cardinals and Pirates.
The Cubs said 2016 postseason tickets sold for 670 percent above face value on the secondary market, including an incredible 1,206 percent above face value in the World Series. That demand followed a regular season in which the secondary market exceeded face value by an average of 96 percent.
With the continued restoration and modernization of Wrigley Field this offseason, fans also will enjoy value with an improved game experience that will include more space, amenities and concessions.
Families can still find affordable ticket options at Wrigley Field, including tickets starting at $9 and more than a quarter of the schedule categorized as either "bronze" or "silver" games.
The Cubs said the established demand for tickets has simply far exceeded the current pricing levels. Vennum said it's important for the club to realize some of that value that would otherwise be lost to the secondary market so the Cubs can reinvest those funds into the team and ballpark.
The season-ticket holder waiting list is at its largest total in years, with more than 100,000 people.
In 2016, the Cubs drew more than 3.2 million, their third-best season attendance figure.
The Cubs open the 2017 season on April 2 at St. Louis and play their first home game April 10 against the Dodgers. Single-game tickets will go on sale in February.