MLB and WNBA Playoffs Generate Nearly $200 Million in Economic Activity for NYC

Aerial view of Yankee Stadium illuminated at night. Image courtesy of David Jay Zimmerman.

Each Additional Yankees and Mets Home Playoff Game Expected to Generate Between $20 Million and $25 Million in Additional Economic Activity

The 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) postseason in New York City has already generated nearly $200 million in economic activity from the home games of their respective playoff runs. The New York Liberty’s WNBA postseason run could generate a cumulative economic impact up to $18.3 million. The analysis accounts for ticket sales and spending from nearly 24,000 visitors from outside of New York City during the Liberty’s postseason run.

Additionally, with both the New York Yankees and New York Mets now participating in their respective Championship Series, each additional home playoff game is expected to generate between $20 million and $25 million per home game—stimulating local businesses and creating jobs and economic opportunity for New Yorkers across the five boroughs. Specifically, a new analysis from NYCEDC found that the New York Yankees 2024 postseason games generate an economic impact of $25 million per home game. A similar analysis found that New York Mets 2024 postseason games generate an economic impact of $20.1 million per home game.

NYCEDC’s analysis accounts for ticket sales, estimated at 33,000 for the Yankees, 27,000 for the Mets, and 3,400 for the Liberty, and spending from outside of New York City for each playoff home game. Additional earnings for seasonal employees at Yankee Stadium and at Citi Field, as well as other factors were included. Seasonal employment estimates were unavailable for the Barclay’s Center. These impacts stimulate growth in the local economy, creating opportunities and jobs for New Yorkers and spending that is reinvested across the five boroughs.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city’s future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.