Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1538711
wbjournal.com | August 25, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 13 MassDevelopment's financing tools can help businesses of all sizes with equipment purchases, expansion efforts, and energy efficiency upgrades. And, our collaborations with cities and towns are addressing economic development and real estate challenges that benefit you and the local economy. Let us help with your next project. Call 617-330-2000 to connect with a member of our business development team. Amanda Newmiller, Director of Site Planning Congratulations, Amanda! Projects across central Massachusetts are benefitting from your real estate expertise, guidance, and professionalism. We applaud your recognition by the WBJ! We're Here to Support Your Business Goals MassDevelopment.com l 617-330-2000 and 6th in 2023. rough 56 home games as of Aug. 14, the WooSox have drawn an average attendance of 5,783. is is about 81% of the 7,131-per- game the team drew through 56 games in 2022, its first season without COVID restrictions, and about 97% of the atten- dance through 56 games last season. MiLB attendance figures represent tickets sold to a game, not turnstile numbers. So, 5,700+ tickets sold per game doesn't necessarily mean 5,700+ people came to the Canal District to pay to park, eat at restaurants, etc. e WooSox drew a total of 479,636 fans in 2024, about 90% of what it drew in 2022, its first full-capacity season. Triple A-level clubs in Minor League Baseball saw a total attendance of 9.16 million in 2024, about 95% of the 9.52 million fans drawn in 2022. For comparison, the Charlotte Knights drew 628,173 fans in 2016, about 91% of what they drew in 2014, their first year at a new stadium. e Nashville Sounds drew 565,545 fans in 2017, actually 5% more than what they drew in 2015 when they opened their new stadium. e Omaha Storm Chas- ers drew 390,957 fans in 2013, about 95% of what they drew in 2011 as they opened a new park. Polar Park is the only Triple A ball- park built in the last decade. All three other clubs play in markets bigger than Worcester, and the International League, the league within Triple A the WooSox play in, has seen attendance dip from 9,827 per game in 2014 to 6,157 in 2024. is year's International League atten- dance sits at 5,302-per-game as of Aug. 14, although MiLB attendance tends to improve as the season goes on, accord- ing to Baseball America. Steinberg is pleased with how the ball- club is performing from an attendance standpoint and new developments in the area, including American Flatbread's new candlepin bowling alley. "It's amazing where the people are coming from," he said, noting an in- crease from Rhode Island, former home of Pawtucket Red Sox. "ey're coming from Williamstown in the northwest corner of Massachusetts. ey're coming from Hingham and Weymouth, from New Hampshire and Maine." Last off-season saw the addition of the Royal Wooters Club, a space with a bar and pool table allowing season-tick- et holders to escape the elements. More upgrades are in the works. "We're in the conjuring stage right now of plans for 2026, and it does follow that theme of listening to people to hear what are the turning points on the decisions to come to a game," Steinberg said. While the Left Field Building site (front) awaits completion, The Cove opened in 2023, bringing tax revenue and residents to the ballpark district. W