Surprise Stadium this year saw significant declines in merchandise, sponsorship and program sales GETTY IMAGES
An early start date for the Cactus League in '18 "contributed to a decline" in the attendance and gross revenue for host city Surprise, Ariz., according to Richard Smith of the SURPRISE TODAY. Surprise Stadium serves as the Spring Training home of the Royals and Rangers. Last month the Surprise City Council "revealed that gross revenue dropped" 8% for the city. The total of $6,718,261 was a drop from the '17 "gross revenue." Ticket sales of 190,043 marked a 4% drop from '17. On average, "attendance at night" is 31% greater than for day games. With that in mind, Surprise councilman Patrick Duffy asked the city council if "more games can start under the lights." Smith noted "not all of the numbers are as downbeat as they appear." Surprise Stadium "hosted 31 Cactus League games" in '18, two less than '17. So average attendance increased 2% this season. However, Surprise saw "significant declines in money from merchandise [21%], sponsorship [9%] and program sales [14%]." In all, Surprise "received $1,950,049 [down 15% from '17], the Royals got $1,379,653 [down 3%] and the Rangers got $1,192,742 [down 12%]" (SURPRISE TODAY, 7/4).
