The Effects of Changes in Major League Baseball Playoff Format: End of Season Attendance

Abstract

This paper examines the effect on attendance of Major League Baseball (MLB) games as a result of the additional playoff round added by the MLB in 2012. Adding another round to the playoffs increases the number of teams qualifying for the playoffs from eight teams to ten teams. More teams towards the end of the season will be in the playoff race than prior to the 2012 season. It is hypothesized that with more teams having a playoff chance, an increase in attendance will result. Home game attendance is a major contributor to team revenue, thus the implications of an increase in attendance would positively impact many teams financially across the league.