Cubs tickets will rise an average of less than 1% next season after "two consecutive years of double-digit hikes," according to Tim Bannon of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Cubs VP/Ticket Sales Cale Vennum said that prices in some sections of Wrigley Field, including the "bleachers, some outfield field boxes as well as some terrace box seating," will decrease by as much as 5.6%. Prices will rise as much as 9% for "some upper deck reserved seats, some field boxes and terrace reserved 'preferred' box seats." Outside of the team's American Airlines 1914 Club tickets, the "most expensive will be $299 for a bullpen box seat for one of the 'diamond' games." The "lowest-priced tickets will be $8 for a seat in the upper deck outfield reserved section for one of the nine 'bronze' games." The Cubs in '17 "had 20 games in lowest pricing categories (silver and bronze)," while next season, there "will be 30 games at those pricing levels." The Cubs drew 3.199 million fans in '17, the "seventh highest attendance in team history" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/17). THE ATHLETIC's Jon Greenberg noted the Cubs "sort tickets through a six-tiered system, which changes every season." Last year, there were, "from cheapest to most expensive tiers, nine bronze games, 12 silver, 24 gold, 14 platinum, 19 marquee and three diamond games, the latter of which was a new addition to the mix." This year there are "nine more silver games, nine fewer gold ones, one fewer platinum and one more diamond," meaning the new formula is a "little more fan-friendly" (THEATHLETIC.com, 11/16).
