Fueled by a one-of-a-kind live ballpark appearance from Dude Perfect, the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League) set a new single-game attendance record Friday night by welcoming 12,067 fans to Dr Pepper Ballpark.
The crowd braved triple-digit temperatures to see Dude Perfect, the Frisco-based sports entertainment group whose viral trick-shot videos have earned them more than 32 million subscribers and 5 billion video views on YouTube, and their very own television series on Nickelodeon.
In addition to being the largest attendance in the 16-season history of the RoughRiders, Friday’s crowd was also the first to ever eclipse the 12,000 mark. The previous record was set on June 12, 2015, when 11,927 fans packed Dr Pepper Ballpark for “Full House Night,” which featured a celebrity appearance by famous sitcom actor and comedian Dave Coulier.
“The response to Friday’s Dude Perfect Night promotion is unlike anything the RoughRiders’ franchise and our ballpark community has ever experienced, and with the great success we’ve enjoyed over 16 seasons that’s saying something,” said RoughRiders’ President & General Manager Andy Milovich. “Friday provided another wonderful example of the type of unique, can’t-miss ballpark entertainment experience we create many times throughout the spring and summer months that is unlike any other fun, affordable, family entertainment option in our market.”
In addition to Friday’s record-breaking total, nine of the 10 largest single-game attendances in team history have come since the start of the 2015 season. That year marked the first full season of General Partner & CEO Chuck Greenberg’s ownership tenure.
TOP 10 CROWDS IN FRANCHISE HISTORY
1. 12,067 – July 20, 2018
2. 11,927 – June 12, 2015
3. 11,915 – May 8, 2015
4. 11,897 – May 5, 2017
5. 11,876 – July 4, 2015
6. 11,844 – May 21, 2018
7. 11,842 – May 1, 2016
8. 11,841 – September 3, 2017
9. 11,836 – July 4, 2003
10. 11,813 – September 6, 2015
It’s been a big year for the RoughRiders. Earlier this year the team unveiled the Deep Ellum Brewing Party @ the Yard for Thursday games this year, transforming the outfield areas at Dr Pepper Ballpark into one big block party. And, of course, the team unveiled the Choctaw Lazy River in 2016.