Key Takeaways
- • Mets ownership acknowledges persistent attendance crisis: Steve Cohen has publicly expressed frustration with the team's attendance performance across multiple seasons, with the organization ranking 17th in MLB attendance in 2025 after drawing over 3 million fans, down from stronger numbers in prior years.
- • Significant year-over-year decline in per-game attendance: The Mets experienced a drop of 6,712 fans per game from 2023 to 2024, declining from an average of 30,782 to 24,071 across the measured period, representing a 21.8% decrease in attendance.
- • Attendance deterioration correlates with roster changes: Fan engagement has declined following the team's disposal of established fan-favorite players, creating a disconnect between payroll investment and fan support at Citi Field.
- • On-field performance undermines Cohen's financial commitment: Despite significant ownership investment and defense of the team's payroll strategy, the Mets missed the 2025 postseason, prompting a formal apology from Cohen to fans while attendance continues to lag league-wide benchmarks.
Summary
Steve Cohen's ownership of the New York Mets has been marked by a persistent attendance problem that has emerged as a significant operational challenge despite substantial financial investment. The organization has struggled to translate ownership commitment into consistent fan engagement, with attendance figures declining notably across consecutive seasons. In 2025, the Mets drew over 3 million fans but ranked 17th in Major League Baseball attendance, underperforming expectations given Cohen's resources and stated commitment to building a competitive roster.
The magnitude of the attendance decline became evident in comparing 2023 and 2024 performance metrics. The team averaged 30,782 fans per game across 24 games in 2023, but this figure deteriorated to 24,071 in 2024—a loss of 6,712 fans per game representing a 21.8% year-over-year decrease. Cohen himself acknowledged dissatisfaction with these numbers, expressing frustration when discussing the attendance disparity despite the team's competitive positioning. In specific instances, publicly reported attendance figures appeared overstated relative to actual attendance; Cohen indicated that an officially reported crowd of 21,694 for one series opener actually numbered closer to 18,000.
The attendance challenges appear partially attributable to roster composition decisions. The Mets' disposal of established fan-favorite players in pursuit of a different strategic direction created skepticism among the fan base regarding the organization's competitive commitment. This disconnect between management decisions and fan sentiment has persisted even as Cohen has publicly defended the team's payroll strategy against criticism.
The cumulative effect of on-field underperformance—including a 9-19 record during the collapse period and the team's failure to reach the 2025 postseason—further eroded fan confidence. Cohen issued a formal apology to Mets fans following the playoff miss, acknowledging the organization's shortcomings. As the 2026 season progresses, early indicators suggest attendance challenges may persist, with the team trending toward last-place status in home attendance league-wide, underscoring the difficulty Cohen faces in converting ownership capital into sustainable fan engagement and revenue generation at Citi Field.
The magnitude of the attendance decline became evident in comparing 2023 and 2024 performance metrics. The team averaged 30,782 fans per game across 24 games in 2023, but this figure deteriorated to 24,071 in 2024—a loss of 6,712 fans per game representing a 21.8% year-over-year decrease. Cohen himself acknowledged dissatisfaction with these numbers, expressing frustration when discussing the attendance disparity despite the team's competitive positioning. In specific instances, publicly reported attendance figures appeared overstated relative to actual attendance; Cohen indicated that an officially reported crowd of 21,694 for one series opener actually numbered closer to 18,000.
The attendance challenges appear partially attributable to roster composition decisions. The Mets' disposal of established fan-favorite players in pursuit of a different strategic direction created skepticism among the fan base regarding the organization's competitive commitment. This disconnect between management decisions and fan sentiment has persisted even as Cohen has publicly defended the team's payroll strategy against criticism.
The cumulative effect of on-field underperformance—including a 9-19 record during the collapse period and the team's failure to reach the 2025 postseason—further eroded fan confidence. Cohen issued a formal apology to Mets fans following the playoff miss, acknowledging the organization's shortcomings. As the 2026 season progresses, early indicators suggest attendance challenges may persist, with the team trending toward last-place status in home attendance league-wide, underscoring the difficulty Cohen faces in converting ownership capital into sustainable fan engagement and revenue generation at Citi Field.
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