The popularity of the 2024 professional baseball season, which has surpassed the heat wave, is extraordinary. On the 18th, a new record for the largest number of spectators (8,475,664) was set, and it is expected to surpass 9 million spectators and reach 10 million spectators for the first time ever.
The explosive increase in the number of spectators was largely due to the increase in female fans in their 20s and 30s. It is evaluated that each team’s various marketing strategies to attract young fans to the stadium were effective.
According to the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), 91,527 spectators flocked to five stadiums across the country on the 18th, recording a cumulative attendance of 8,475,664. In 2017, the previous record of 8,406,888 spectators was mobilized over 720 games, but this year, this record was surpassed in just 573 games. The average number of spectators per game was 14,792.
Amidst the hot popularity, the club is also continuing to set new records. Hanwha Eagles has sold out 17 consecutive home games (12,000 seats), the most games sold out in a season, and 41 out of 60 home games were sold out (previously 36 games by Samsung in the 1995 season). Samsung Lions has surpassed 1 million home spectators for the first time since the team was founded.
This is especially surprising because it was achieved this year despite the adverse effects of a record-breaking heat wave.
With only about 80% of the regular season completed, if the current pace continues, it is expected that not only 9 million spectators, but even the first-ever 10 million spectators will be possible. Arithmetically, 10.63 million spectators are also possible.
The decisive factor behind the increase in the number of young female spectators in their 20s and 30s is the increase in fans visiting baseball stadiums.
According to the results of a survey conducted by the KBO on ticket buyers for the All-Star Game held last month, female spectators accounted for 68.8%, more than twice as many as male spectators (31.2%), with women in their 20s accounting for 39.6% and women in their 30s accounting for 19.1%.
According to Doosan Bears, the first team to surpass 1 million spectators this year, fans in their 20s (43.3%) and 30s (22.8%) accounted for 66.1% of all spectators. It can be seen that younger generations are more enthusiastic about baseball than those in their 40s (16.4%) and teens (10.3%).
Park Joo-eun (27), a Hanwha fan in her 20s who visited the baseball stadium more than 15 times during the 2024 season, said, “When I go to the baseball stadium with my friends and cheer, my stress naturally goes away,” and “There are a lot of different foods and it’s fun. It’s not as hot as I thought after the sun goes down.”
Each team’s marketing to capture the so-called ‘2030 female hearts’ also shined. Various products were released targeting young baseball fans, including women in their 20s who drive the popularity of professional baseball.
Doosan’s ‘Mangleojin Bear’, Lotte Giants’ ‘Jjang-gu’ and ‘Esther Bunny’, and LG Twins’ ‘Janmang Luffy’ were all very popular.
A Doosan official said, “Each team is competing with each other in marketing to attract more fans to the stadium,” and “Marketing targeting fans in their 20s and 30s has been particularly effective.”
He added, “We quickly identified the needs of young fans and operated photo zones and collaborations with popular characters, which also received a good response.”
Despite the ongoing heat wave and tropical nights, professional baseball is expected to continue its box office success for the time being, with competition for rankings fiercer than ever.
(Seoul = News 1)
-
- great
- 0dog
-
- I’m sad
- 0dog
-
- I’m angry
- 0dog
-
- I recommend it
- dog
Hot news right now
2024-08-20 01:36:44