Rangers announce lower ticket prices for 2014 season
The Texas Rangers are hoping to reach the 3-million mark in attendance for a third consecutive season and have dropped ticket prices between 4 and 19 percent on approximately 94 percent of their seats.
They have also lowered the number of “premier” games by eight.
“We’ve got to be affordable,” said Rob Matwick, the Rangers’ executive vice president for ballpark and event operations, on Thursday. “With 81 games and 48,000 seats, we have a lot of capacity. Like any baseball team, season tickets are first and foremost. You make your living by building that season ticket base and we’ve done a good job of that the last few years. But we also want to be affordable, affordable for families at different price points that are out there for everyone.”
Matwick said the Rangers’ season ticket sales are “in the mid-to-upper teens.” The club has sold more than 20,000 season tickets the past few years, and Matwick said that remains the goal.
The Rangers have gotten some negative feedback, Matwick said, with the departure of former CEO Nolan Ryan in October, as well as trades that sent fan favorites Ian Kinsler to Detroit and Craig Gentry to Oakland. David Murphy also departed via free agency for Cleveland, and Nelson Cruz is expected to land elsewhere as well.
But Matwick said that has been offset with the buzz surrounding the additions of Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo.
“The nature of this business is change,” Matwick said. “We feel good about where we are [with season-ticket sales] at this point.”
The Rangers set an attendance record of 3.46 million in 2012 after two consecutive World Series runs, the franchise’s first time of reaching the 3-million mark. Attendance dropped to 3.18 million in 2013.
Tickets for next season go on sale at 9 a.m. March 1 except for Opening Day. Fans can enter a lottery for Opening Day tickets beginning Feb. 3-Feb. 19 on the Rangers’ website. Fans who purchase 10-game plans will receive a free ticket to Opening Day. Plans start at $160 and go on sale Thursday.
The Rangers also announced that they will use an expanded version of the dynamic pricing they put in last season. About two weeks before a homestand, the team will either increase or drop ticket prices based on demand.
Ballpark renovations
Rangers Ballpark is getting a $4.5 million facelift this winter, although it’s not as major as the previous three.
The 14,381-square-foot Diamond Club is undergoing renovations and will be called the Jack Daniel’s Club. The club will be open to all season-ticket holders before and during games, and will include a full buffet and bar.
The Rangers are also replacing 1,098 seats in the upper-level suites, overhauling the suite kitchen on the club concourse level behind the press box and installing LED lighting on the relief panels on the exterior of the park.
The Rangers have spent about $40 million on improvements to the Ballpark the past four seasons.
“The projects this winter aren’t as ambitious as we’ve had the past three years,” Matwick said. “But they are still some pretty significant upgrades for us.”
Next season, the Rangers might renovate the restaurant in the all-you-can-eat section, Matwick said.
Ticket specials
Fan Fest: Fans can save more than 50 percent and purchase $8 Upper Reserved tickets or $15 Lexus Club Terrace tickets for select August home games during Texas Rangers Fan Fest.
Ozarka Online Ticket Tuesday: Tickets for most Tuesday home games are half price in Upper Reserved, Upper Box, Lexus Club Terrace and Lower Reserved when purchased online at the team’s website. Offer is not valid April 1, July 28 and September 9.
Fireworks Fridays: Fans may purchase $15 Upper Reserved tickets for Friday night home games on April 18, May 16, June 6, July 25, Aug. 15, Sept. 5 and Sept. 26. Offer is available through the team’s website with the coupon code “FIREWORKS.”
Ticket packages
| Section | Price (premier price) | 2013 price (premier) |
| Lower Infield | $73 ($81) | $78 ($88) |
| Lexus Club Box | $67 ($74) | $72 ($81) |
| Lower Box | $64 ($71) | $70 ($79) |
| Corner Box | $46 ($51) | $56 ($63) |
| All You Can Eat Porch | $48 ($51) | $51 ($58) |
| Lower Reserved | $34 ($37) | $35 ($40) |
| Outfield Plaza | $34 ($37) | $35 ($40) |
| Lexus Club Terrace | $29 ($33) | $32 ($36) |
| Upper Box | $24 ($26) | $24 ($27) |
| Upper Reserved | $17 ($19) | $19 ($22) |
| Grandstand Reserved | $13 ($14) | $11 ($13) |
2014 Rangers schedule
| March 31 | Philadelphia* | 1:05 p.m. |
| April 1 | Philadelphia* | 7:05 p.m. |
| April 2 | Phililadelphia | 7:05 p.m. |
| April 4 | at Tampa Bay | 6:10 p.m. |
| April 5 | at Tampa Bay | 6:10 p.m. |
| April 6 | at Tampa Bay | 12:40 p.m. |
| April 7 | at Boston | 6:10 p.m. |
| April 8 | at Boston | 5:10 p.m. |
| April 9 | at Boston | 3:05 p.m. |
| April 11 | Houston | 7:05 p.m. |
| April 12 | Houston* | 2:05 p.m. |
| April 13 | Houston | 7:05 p.m. |
| April 14 | Seattle | 7:05 p.m. |
| April 15 | Seattle | 7:05 p.m. |
| April 16 | Seattle | 7:05 p.m. |
| April 17 | Seattle | 1:05 p.m. |
| April 18 | Chi. White Sox | 7:05 p.m. |
| April 19 | Chi. White Sox | 7:05 p.m. |
| April 20 | Chi. White Sox | 2:05 p.m. |
| April 21 | at Oakland | 9:05 p.m. |
| April 22 | at Oakland | 9:05 p.m. |
| April 23 | at Oakland | 2:35 p.m. |
| April 25 | at Seattle | 9:10 p.m. |
| April 26 | at Seattle | 8:10 p.m. |
| April 27 | at Seattle | 3:10 p.m. |
| April 28 | Oakland | 7:05 p.m. |
| April 29 | Oakland | 7:05 p.m. |
| April 30 | Oakland | 7:05 p.m. |
| May 2 | at LA Angels | 9:05 p.m. |
| May 3 | at LA Angels | 8:05 p.m. |
| May 4 | at LA Angels | 2:35 p.m. |
| May 5 | at Colorado | 7:40 p.m. |
| May 6 | at Colorado | 7:40 p.m. |
| May 7 | Colorado | 7:40 p.m. |
| May 8 | Colorado | 7:40 p.m. |
| May 9 | Boston* | 7:05 p.m. |
| May 10 | Boston* | 7:05 p.m. |
| May 11 | Boston* | 2:05 p.m. |
| May 12 | at Houston | 7:10 p.m. |
| May 13 | at Houston | 7:10 p.m. |
| May 14 | at Houston | 7:10 p.m. |
| May 16 | Toronto | 7:05 p.m. |
| May 17 | Toronto* | 7:05 p.m. |
| May 18 | Toronto | 2:05 p.m. |
| May 20 | Seattle | 7:05 p.m. |
| May 21 | Seattle | 1:05 p.m. |
| May 22 | at Detroit | 12:08 p.m. |
| May 23 | at Detroit | 6:08 p.m. |
| May 24 | at Detroit | 3:08 p.m. |
| May 25 | at Detroit | 12:08 p.m. |
| May 26 | at Minnesota | 1:10 p.m. |
| May 27 | at Minnesota | 7:10 p.m. |
| May 28 | at Minnesota | 7:10 p.m. |
| May 29 | at Minnesota | 12:10 p.m. |
| May 30 | at Washington | 6:05 p.m. |
| May 31 | at Washington | 11:05 a.m. |
| June 1 | at Washington | 12:35 p.m. |
| June 3 | Baltimore | 7:05 p.m. |
| June 4 | Baltimore | 7:05 p.m. |
| June 5 | Baltimore | 7:05 p.m. |
| June 6 | Cleveland | 7:05 p.m. |
| June 7 | Cleveland* | 3:05 p.m. |
| June 8 | Cleveland | 2:05 p.m. |
| June 9 | Cleveland | 7:05 p.m. |
| June 10 | Miami | 7:05 p.m. |
| June 11 | Miami | 7:05 p.m. |
| June 13 | at Seattle | 9:10 p.m. |
| June 14 | at Seattle | 9:10 p.m. |
| June 15 | at Seattle | 3:10 p.m. |
| June 16 | at Oakland | 9:05 p.m. |
| June 17 | at Oakland | 9:05 p.m. |
| June 18 | at Oakland | 2:35 p.m. |
| June 20 | at LA Angels | 9:05 p.m. |
| June 21 | at LA Angels | 6:15 p.m. |
| June 22 | at LA Angels | 2:35 p.m. |
| June 24 | Detroit | 7:05 p.m. |
| June 25 | Detroit* | 7:05 p.m. |
| June 26 | Detroit | 7:05 p.m. |
| June 27 | Minnesota | 7:05 p.m. |
| June 28 | Minnesota* | 3:05 p.m. |
| June 29 | Minnesota | 2:05 p.m. |
| June 30 | at Baltimore | 6:05 p.m. |
| July 1 | at Baltimore | 6:05 p.m. |
| July 2 | at Baltimore | 6:05 p.m. |
| July 3 | at Baltimore | 6:05 p.m. |
| July 4 | at NY Mets | 6:10 p.m. |
| July 5 | at NY Mets | 6:15 p.m. |
| July 6 | at NY Mets | 12:10 p.m. |
| July 7 | Houston | 7:05 p.m. |
| July 8 | Houston | 7:05 p.m. |
| July 9 | Houston | 7:05 p.m. |
| July 10 | LA Angels | 7:05 p.m. |
| July 11 | LA Angels* | 7:05 p.m. |
| July 12 | LA Angels* | 6:15 p.m. |
| July 13 | LA Angels* | 2:05 p.m. |
| July 15 | All Star Game | |
| July 18 | at Toronto | 6:07 p.m. |
| July 19 | at Toronto | 12:07 p.m. |
| July 20 | at Toronto | 12:07 p.m. |
| July 21 | at NY Yankees | 6:05 p.m. |
| July 22 | at NY Yankees | 6:05 p.m. |
| July 23 | at NY Yankees | 6:05 p.m. |
| July 24 | at NY Yankees | 12:05 p.m. |
| July 25 | Oakland | 7:05 p.m. |
| July 26 | Oakland* | 7:05 p.m. |
| July 27 | Oakland | 7:05 p.m. |
| July 28 | NY Yankees* | 7:05 p.m. |
| July 29 | NY Yankees* | 7:05 p.m. |
| July 30 | NY Yankees* | 7:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 1 | at Cleveland | 6:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 2 | at Cleveland | 6:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 3 | at Cleveland | 12:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 4 | at Chi. White Sox | 7:10 p.m. |
| Aug. 5 | at Chi. White Sox | 7:10 p.m. |
| Aug. 6 | at Chi. White Sox | 1:10 p.m. |
| Aug. 8 | at Houston | 7:10 p.m. |
| Aug. 9 | at Houston | 6:10 p.m. |
| Aug. 10 | at Houston | 1:10 p.m. |
| Aug. 11 | Tampa Bay | 7:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 12 | Tampa Bay | 7:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 13 | Tampa Bay | 7:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 14 | Tampa Bay | 7:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 15 | LA Angels | 7:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 15 | LA Angels* | 7:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 16 | LA Angels* | 2:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 19 | at Miami | 6:10 p.m. |
| Aug. 20 | at Miami | 11:40 a.m. |
| Aug. 22 | Kansas City | 7:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 23 | Kansas City* | 7:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 24 | Kansas City | 2:05 p.m. |
| Aug. 25 | at Seattle | 9:10 p.m. |
| Aug. 25 | at Seattle | 9:10 p.m. |
| Aug. 25 | at Seattle | 2:40 p.m. |
| Aug. 28 | at Houston | 7:10 p.m. |
| Aug. 29 | at Houston | 7:10 p.m. |
| Aug. 30 | at Houston | 6:10 p.m. |
| Aug. 31 | at Houston | 1:10 p.m. |
| Sept. 1 | at Kansas City | 7:10 p.m. |
| Sept. 2 | at Kansas City | 7:10 p.m. |
| Sept. 3 | at Kansas City | 7:10 p.m. |
| Sept. 4 | Seattle | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 5 | Seattle | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 6 | Seattle* | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 7 | Seattle | 2:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 9 | LA Angels* | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 10 | LA Angels* | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 11 | LA Angels | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 12 | Atlanta* | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 13 | Atlanta* | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 14 | Atlanta* | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 16 | at Oakland | 9:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 17 | at Oakland | 9:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 18 | at Oakland | 2:35 p.m. |
| Sept. 19 | LA Angels | 9:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 20 | LA Angels | 8:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 21 | at LA Angels | 2:35 p.m. |
| Sept. 22 | Houston | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 23 | Houston | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 24 | Houston | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 25 | Oakland | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 26 | Oakland* | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 27 | Oakland* | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sept. 28 | Oakland | 2:05 p.m. |
* Premier games
This story was originally published January 9, 2014 at 11:42 AM with the headline "Rangers announce lower ticket prices for 2014 season."