NewsRays will be a great value again in 2010
Tickets for 40 percent of games will be at or below '09 cost
By Bill Chastain / MLB.com
10/29/09 2:00 PM ET
ST. PETESBURG -- Tickets for nearly 40 percent of the 2010 Rays games will be at or below 2009 ticket prices.That news came Thursday when the Rays announced their 2010 ticket prices for home games at Tropicana Field. In the coming season, fans will once again be able to count on receiving the kind of value they found in 2009, which prompted ESPN the Magazine to name the Rays "the most affordable team in professional sports."
"We were proud to be recognized as the best value in all of professional sports, and that's a title we plan to retain," team president Matt Silverman said. "During these challenging times, we want Tropicana Field to continue to be an enjoyable place that families can afford. The objective for our 2010 pricing is to ensure that Rays games remain an affordable family entertainment option."
According to Mark Fernandez, Rays senior vice president and chief sales officer, buying season tickets continues to be the best way to see Rays games.
"Season ticket holders have access to our best seat locations at up to a 33 percent discount off individual game prices," Fernandez said.
Season ticket holders also have the guaranteed opportunity to purchase Rays postseason ticket packages.
For 2010, there will be five categories of individual ticket pricing: Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. This new price structure includes tickets priced as low as $12 for more than 50 games, and $10 for more than 30 games. Pricing on Bronze games starts at just $8 for an Upper Reserved or tbt* Party Deck ticket.
Diamond games are weekend games vs. the Yankees and Red Sox. Platinum games include all other Saturday games, weekday games vs. the Yankees and Red Sox, as well as Opening Day on April 6 vs. the Orioles. Gold games include the remaining Friday and Sunday games. Silver games include the remaining weekday games, except for five select Bronze games.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Rays will continue to provide carpoolers access to free parking in team-controlled lots. As in 2009, vehicles with four or more passengers will continue to park free for all Bronze and Sunday games. For all other games, the first 100 cars with four or more passengers will park for free up to an hour before game time, with other Tropicana Field main lot parking rates ranging from $10-20 per vehicle.
"Keeping some level of free parking available at all games is important to us, especially for Sunday and Bronze games, because we recognize those dates will be popular with families," Silverman said. "We also continue to be one of the few teams that allow fans to bring food and select beverages to games. It's part of how we can ensure our games remain an affordable experience."
Sundays will continue to be "Family Fun Days." Those dates feature discounted ticket options for families, special promotional giveaways for kids, and the opportunity for youngsters to run the bases after the game.
A new Upper Box Seat will be introduced that will include the first 11 rows between the bases in the upper deck. Depending on the game, those tickets will range in price from $8-23.
Group party area reservations are currently being accepted for the 2010 season. For information on purchasing group tickets or to reserve a group party area or suite, fans can call 888-FAN-RAYS.
To purchase tickets or for more information about tickets call 888-FAN-RAYS or visit raysbaseball.com, raysbeisbol.com, or visit the Rays office at Tropicana Field or the Rays Tampa office at 400 N. Tampa St.
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
