It has been another strong year at the gate for the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), who are reporting a nearly eight percent increase in average attendance. This marks the second straight season of attendance growth at AutoZone Park.
During the 2017 regular season, an average of 5,073 fans came through the gates each night, compared to 4,704 spectators per game in 2016 and 4,037 in 2015, making average attendance up 26 percent over the past two years. The Redbirds welcomed 350,007 fans to the ballpark during the regular season.
The Redbirds had three crowds of 10,000 or more in 2017, including a stadium post-renovations record of 11,076 on July 3, and 11 crowds above 7,500.
“Our 2017 season was a rousing success, beginning with our ‘Authentically Memphis’ rebrand, and we want to thank our fans and visitors to Memphis for flocking to AutoZone Park this season,” Redbirds President/General Manager Craig Unger said. “This season shows our fans value the family-friendly entertainment we provide, and we are poised to build on the last two seasons of attendance growth and make the 2018 season even better.”
The season was highlighted by the wildly-popular Saturday night fireworks shows and All-You-Can-Eat Thursdays, an appearance by Mr. Belding of “Saved by the Bell” in April, performances by the ZOOperstars! over Memorial Day Weekend in May, Memphis Chicks Night in June, Harry Potter Night in July, and a game played during a total solar eclipse in August.
On the field, the Redbirds were piloted by Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year Stubby Clapp to a team-record number of wins and their first playoff appearance since 2014. Patrick Wisdom, an All-PCL Team performer, became the first Redbird since 2008 to hit 30 home runs in a season, and the Redbirds enjoyed their enormous success all while seeing 19 players also play for the St. Louis Cardinals and nine make their Major League debut.