NYCEDC Projects $800 Million in Economic Activity in NYC for 2026 MLB Regular Season

As Both Teams Prepare for First Home Games, Yankees and Mets MLB Seasons Are Expected to Stimulate the Local Economy, Support Small Businesses, and Create Jobs

2026 New York Yankees Home Games Expected to Generate Economic Impact of $500 Million

2026 New York Mets Home Games Expected to Generate Economic Impact of $300 Million

NEW YORK, NY-New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) today announced that New York Yankees' and New York Mets' regular home games combined are expected to generate $800 million in economic impact for New York City over the course of the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) season. As baseball season kicks off and both teams prepare for their first home games, the Yankees and Mets continue to drive the local economy, support small businesses, create jobs, and draw New Yorkers and tourists to new neighborhoods across the Bronx and Queens.

Yankees' home games are expected to generate an economic impact of $500 million over the course of the 2026 regular season, while Mets' home games are expected to generate an economic impact of $300 million over the course of the 2026 regular season.

"Baseball season is an exciting time for New York City-it brings a sense of pride and energy, as well as a significant boost to our economy," said NYCEDC Interim President & CEO Jeanny Pak. "Yankees and Mets games will attract New Yorkers and people from around the world to neighborhoods across Queens and the Bronx, stimulating local businesses and creating jobs, all while delivering $800 million in economic activity for New York City. We wish both teams luck and a great season."

"Queens is hitting a home run today. Not just because Mets baseball is back, but because the economic activity that Mets home games generate for our borough is back for another season as well, along with the money that other team in the Bronx brings in for that borough's economy," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "As Citi Field once again springs to life and its future neighbors like Etihad Park, Metropolitan Park and the redeveloped Willets Point all on the rise, it has never been a better time to be a Mets fan or Queens resident. Here's to another economically beneficial baseball season that ends with a World Series title coming home to The World's Borough!"

"We are excited to welcome millions of fans and baseball enthusiasts this baseball season to Yankee Stadium and to our great borough," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. "As the home of the legendary Bronx Bombers, we invite residents and visitors alike to support our Bronx champions and to shop local! We have amazing businesses along the 161st Street corridor, including mom-and-pop stores that have been here for generations, and the economic revenue from the baseball season will help fuel their growth, strengthen local jobs, and keep our historic neighborhoods thriving. This annual boost brings energy, opportunity, and vitality to the Bronx, and we are proud to uplift the small businesses and workers who help to make our borough a global destination."

About the Analysis

The total projected economic impact is lower than previous years' estimates primarily due to reduced transportation spending from visitors, as transportation now represents a smaller share of total daily spending for non-NYC visitors than in previous years. This shift likely reflects the changes that have taken place since 2019 in how visitors get around the city, with visitors making fewer trips and relying more on walking or lower-cost transit options. Another factor is that overall attendance since the pandemic has been slightly lower compared to pre-pandemic levels, and this year's model uses average attendance figures from 2023 to 2025 to estimate attendee counts. While the projections don't take events like the World Cup or Sail 250 into account, New York City is poised to welcome a large number of visitors this summer from around the world, who will want to take advantage of all the entertainment the city has to offer, including baseball season.

The economic impact of Yankees home games is estimated to be higher than the economic impact of Mets homes games because of higher ticket prices and higher expected attendance. While prices are based on current pricing for the 2026 season for the Yankees and Mets, expected attendance is based on historical averages for a normal season and should not be viewed as a projection of a team's performance in 2026. Game attendance is estimated based on home-game averages from 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Today's analysis accounts for direct impacts from visitor spending, including tickets, concessions, merchandise, transportation, and lodging for overnight visitors.

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, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram. 

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