WINDSOR

MLB ticket price average increases; Tigers up 2.8 per cent to $29

CTV Windsor Published Monday, April 6, 2015 12:25PM EDT Last Updated Monday, April 6, 2015 12:26PM EDT

Detroit Tigers' Alex Avila hits a walk off single to score Bryan Holladay against the New York Yankees in the ninth inning of a baseball game in Detroit Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014. (AP / Paul Sancya)

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Major League Baseball's average ticket price rose 3.3 per cent this season to $28.94, the steepest increase in six years.

Team Marketing Report said in its annual survey Monday the average is up 4.4 per cent since 2013 after remaining flat in 2012.

The Detroit Tigers average price was $29.01, up 2.8 per cent. For the Toronto Blue Jays, the average ticket price went unchanged at $25.14.

World Series champion Boston had the highest average at $52.34 after leaving prices the same. The New York Yankees also left their average unchanged at $51.55 after missing the playoffs for the second straight season.

The Chicago Cubs, who renovated Wrigley Field and their roster, raised their average for the first time since 2010, a 1.5 per cent increase to $44.81. The Cubs are coming off a last-place finish and fifth straight losing season.

The Dodgers' average rose 10.9 per cent to $28.61 as Los Angeles hiked its opening-day payroll to a record $270 million, boosting the team's two-year increase to 27.9 per cent.

After reaching the playoffs for the first time since 1985, winning the AL pennant and coming within one win of a World Series title, the Kansas City Royals had the largest increase for the second straight year, a 20.3 per cent rise to $29.76. Following consecutive winning seasons, the Royals have increased their average 50 per cent.

World Series champion San Francisco increased its average 6.8 per cent to $33.78.

The average NFL ticket price was $84.43 last season, according to the survey. The NBA average is $53.98 this season and the NHL average is $62.18.

TMR's Fan Cost Index, which includes four average-price tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four hot dogs, parking and two adult-size caps, rose 2.5 per cent to $211.68. The Red Sox were the high team at $350.86 and Arizona the low at $126.89. Programs were removed from the formula this year, and last year's fan index was retroactively adjusted.

The average premium ticket is $96.94. The Yankees have the highest average at $305.39 and San Diego the lowest at $41.18.

With files from The Associated Press.