Minor League attendance tops 42.5 million

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A total of 42,561,445 fans passed through the gates at Minor League Baseball games in 2015, marking the third-largest single-season total in the organization's history, which currently consists of 176 teams in 15 leagues.

The 2015 season saw 14 teams set single-season franchise attendance records and marked the 11th consecutive year Minor League Baseball drew over 41 million fans. The 42.5 million fans in 2015 ranked third behind 42.8 million fans in 2007 and Minor League Baseball's all-time record of 43.3 million fans in 2008.

"Minor League Baseball continues to provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment, and the fact that over 42 million fans visited our ballparks again solidifies our place in the sports and entertainment industry," said Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O'Conner. "Our clubs strive to produce a quality product, on and off the field, and the tremendous support of our fans and communities cannot be overstated. The enthusiasm shown by Minor League Baseball fans across the country is second to none."

The Triple-A Sacramento River Cats led all teams in attendance, as 672,354 fans visited Raley Field this season. Three new ballparks helped boost attendance as the Nashville Sounds opened First Tennessee Park in April, the Biloxi Shuckers moved into MGM Park in June and the West Virginia Black Bears began play at Monongalia County Ballpark in late June. Since 2000, Minor League Baseball clubs have opened 61 new ballparks.

The attendance leaders in each classification of Minor League Baseball and their overall numbers were: Triple-A -- Sacramento River Cats (672,354), Double-A -- Frisco RoughRiders (477,354), Class A -- Dayton Dragons (574,830), Short Season-A and Rookie -- Brooklyn Cyclones (230,658).