The Oakland A’s are currently keeping pace in the AL West, the most competitive division in baseball. Off the field, they’re trying to stay one step ahead of the competition as they figure out how to entice fans to keep showing up at the ballpark. Despite setting the mark for highest single-game attendance for any MLB game this season in a recent contest with the San Francisco Giants, the A’s are currently 28th in the league in average attendance, ahead of only Tampa Bay and Miami.
The franchise is doing something a bit extreme to try to buck the overall trend. On Monday, Oakland announced that they will get rid of the traditional season ticket model in 2019 and will replace it with a membership program.
Dubbed A’s Access, this membership program will give members general admission access to every 2019 regular season home game, a reserved seating plan, and a slew of benefits. Those benefits include 50 percent off concessions, 25 percent off merchandise, parking benefits, and an allotment of seat upgrade credits for games not included in the reserved seating plan. Memberships go on sale on August 3 and will include a flexible 12-month payment plan that auto renews. Fans who purchase 2019 memberships before this season is over will also have the chance to purchase 2018 postseason tickets.
A’s canceling traditional season-ticket program and going to a membership program instead: pic.twitter.com/LRZ9juNtnh
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) July 30, 2018
As for current season ticket holders, they will be able to renew their current seat plan within the Access program.
The A’s Access plan begins at $240. Perhaps the best part of the deal is the concession prices, which include $4 20-ounce domestic drafts, $3 hot dogs, and $2.50 16-ounce sodas.
One of my favorite benefits: If you share your plan, simply register you share partner(s) and they get the concessions and merch discount as well! Gold or Platinum? We'll even send you multiple copies of your season-long parking pass.
— Chris Giles (@chrisgiles01) July 30, 2018
The A’s have been experimenting with ticket options for some time now. When they introduced The Treehouse behind the left field bleachers, which includes a patio deck and two full-service bars, they offered access for $120 yer year. Fans can also buy a $29.99 monthly subscription to get into any game, which means if someone went to every home game each month they’re basically only paying a few dollars to get in each time.
Getting rid of the season ticket plan is a bold move for a pro franchise, but bold moves might be what a team like the A’s needs in order to get more butts in the seats and get people to come back more often.
