When you hear “hot dog” and “inflation” in the same sentence, you might think of those supermarket franks that plump up when cooked. In this case, we’re talking about the original dogs of the ballpark, a cultural touchstone of America’s pastime.
The average price of a Major League Baseball (MLB) hot dog across the 30 North American ballparks is $5.99, and that’s for the lowest-priced hot dog offered at the parks. That average covers a wide range, including the $8.39 “Colossal Dog” offered at Oakland Coliseum, home of the Athletics, and a $2.99 option at Chase Field, where the Arizona Diamondbacks play.1
You’ll need to grab your passport if you’re looking for the cheapest dog in the MLB. When you take in a Toronto Blue Jays home game, you can find a $2.55 hot dog at Roger Centre.1
From the chart, you can see that seven of the top ten highest-priced dogs are for teams that may not make the playoffs. On the other hand, eight of the ten least expensive dogs are at stadiums where teams are fighting for a playoff spot.
While consumers are used to seeing a mark-up on concessions at movie theaters, concerts, and sporting events, MLB offers a relatively inexpensive option compared to the National Football League (NFL).
The average cost for a family of four is $180.54, which figures tickets, parking, beverages, and (of course) hot dogs. That range is higher in some cities, over $320 in Los Angeles (the Dodgers) or Boston (the Red Sox), and lower in others. A family can see a game for under $140 in a handful of lower-end markets: the Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals, and Chicago White Sox.2
The reason for the boosted prices? Concessions play a big part in maintaining the grounds and paying for the teams. Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani inked a $700 million, 10-year contract with the team. That means the Dodgers hope you show up to the game hungry!2
As the season winds down, I hope you have enjoyed a few games, whether at the ballpark or at home. At my house, the dogs always come dressed the way I like them and are considerably less expensive!
1. Sports Business Journal, May 6, 2024
2. The Street, April 12, 2024