Pirates release 2014 season ticket pricing
Team continues to offer aome of the most affordable tickets in Major League Baseball
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today their Season Ticket Holder pricing for the 2014 season. The season is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 31 as the Pirates will once again open their campaign at PNC Park vs. the Chicago Cubs.
The Pirates average ticket price of $17.21 in 2013 was the third lowest in Major League Baseball, according to Team Marketing Report. Based on the same weighted average formula, the Pirates average ticket price in 2014 will increase to just $18.32, which according to the Team Market Report, would still be the fourth-lowest average ticket price in MLB in 2013.
New for the 2014 season, the Pirates will utilize a three-tier variable pricing system that will assign specific value-pricing to select games. Opening Day, all Saturday games beginning in May, and popular match-ups against the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies will be designated as "Gold" Games (17 games). Saturday games in April, and Friday games beginning in May-- excluding the Phillies game on July 4-- will be designated as "Black" Games (12) and will be priced lower than the "Gold" games. All other home games (52) will be designated as "White" Games, where fans will realize the greatest value.
Similar to variable pricing models that have been utilized across Major League Baseball for years, tickets for the designated premium games are priced more consistent with the high demand for those games.
During 2013 the Pirates sold out a PNC Park single-season record 23 games, surpassing the 2001 mark of 19 and the 17 sellouts in 2012. In addition, the Pirates 13 Saturday games at PNC Park in 2013 averaged 35,283 fans with eight sellouts, while the 13 Friday home games averaged 33,557 with seven sellouts.
"While our weighted average ticket price remains well behind our Central Division rivals, it was important for us to ensure that our loyal Season Ticket Holders continue to receive significant savings from individual ticket prices," said Frank Coonelly, Pirates President. "In addition, the introduction of a third level to our variable pricing model helped us keep pricing for the vast majority of our games at the lowest level possible."
The Pirates continue to maintain one of the lowest price points in all of professional sports with the team's $499 Full Season Value Plan - which is an average of only $6.16 per ticket per game. In all, the Pirates offer five Full Season Value Plans ranging from $6.16 to $18.50 per ticket. Three of the Value Plans are available in the lower level with Lower Outfield Box available for $1,499 and Outfield Box for just $1,199. In addition, Bleacher Reserved and Grandstand plans are available for $999 and Upper Grandstand for $499. Fans will still be able to take advantage of the Pirates Half Season (41-game) and 20-game packages as plans start as low as $479 and $235 respectively.
Once again, fans will have the opportunity to choose from one of three 20-game packages as the Pirates will offer the 20-Game Saturday Plan, the 20-Game Sunday Plan and 20-Game Weekday Plan.