THE REAL OWNER OF THE TITLE,
“AMERICA’S NATIONAL PASTIME”

Being a lifelong member of the theme park industry, I have watched and listened to the media/press and Major league Baseball refer to baseball as “AMERICA’S NATIONAL PASTIME”. Now I do not want to take anything away from MLB; I played baseball as a youngster and still enjoy it as a game. But when you correctly study the valid attendance figures associated with both baseball and theme parks, you will find that annual theme park visitation outdraws MLB attendance by almost 4.2 times! In fact, when you take all professional paid sports in the USA, including the NFL, MLB, MLS, NBA, and NHL, you will find that annual attendance for those sports, when added together, totals approximately 145 million, compared to annual theme park attendance in North America of over 300 million. So, in comparison, the theme industry as a whole more than doubles the attendance of all pro sports attendance cobbled together!

Let’s take a closer look at attendance figures, which when compared reveals that theme parks may have unobtrusively overtaken this beloved sport as the true American National Pastime.

Consider Kings Island, a popular amusement park located in Mason, Ohio. In 2023, Kings Island reported an attendance of over 3.4 million visitors. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds, the city's Major League Baseball team, drew around 2.0 million fans in the same year. This stark difference highlights a growing trend, as families are increasingly choosing the thrills and attractions of theme parks over traditional sports events.

The attendance phenomenon is not isolated to Ohio. In Illinois, Six Flags Great America consistently attracts more visitors than the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs each drew in 2023. Six Flags Great America saw approximately 3.0 million visitors in 2023, while the Cubs and White Sox drew 2.7 million and 1.6 million fans, respectively. While Six Flags did not outdraw the two MLB teams when totaled together, Six did attract 70% of their attendance when combined.

Financial comparisons further underscore the variances. The average ticket price for a Major League Baseball game in 2023 was approximately $37, not including the additional costs for concessions, parking, and souvenirs. In contrast, a day at a theme park like Kings Island or Dollywood can range from $40 to $80 per person, depending on the type of ticket and package purchased, less if purchased through a season pass program. Despite the somewhat higher upfront cost, the value proposition of a theme park visit - offering a full day and 7-8 hours of diverse entertainment options - outvalues the cost of attending a baseball game averaging 3 hours.

The economic impact of theme parks is also significant. In 2023, Major League Baseball’s total revenue was around $11 billion. By comparison in that same year, the Disney powerhouse alone generated over $22 billion in its domestic parks and experiences segment. This number does not include the multitude of other theme park operations, such as Universal, Herschend parks, SeaWorld, and the Six Flags merged park system, which collectively would typically add another $10+ billion. These theme park figures include ticket sales, merchandise, food and beverage, and ancillary services. The financial disparity between the two industries highlights the growing dominance of theme parks in the realm of spending on family entertainment.

Moreover, theme parks provide an all-encompassing entertainment experience that appeals to a broad demographic. From thrilling roller coasters and water rides to live shows and character meet-and-greets, there is something for everyone in the family. This broad appeal makes theme parks a more inclusive and engaging form of entertainment compared to professional sports, which may only attract specific types of fans.

While baseball and other professional sports will always hold a special place in American culture and hearts, the overall numbers submit that theme parks have emerged as the true national American Pastime. The family-friendly atmosphere, diverse attractions, and substantial economic impact of theme parks make them a compelling choice for the reigning “King of Entertainment” in this modern era.

The next time you ponder the nation's favorite National Pastime, consider the millions of families flocking to theme parks each year.

In the competition for America's entertainment heart, it appears that the roller coasters and Ferris wheels have taken the lead! There is room and a place for all activities, sports and parks alike in people’s plans. But I know what really is ”AMERICA’S NATIONAL PASTIME", and it starts with “Keep your arms and hands inside the car at all times”!

Click here to read more observations.