Thank You Miami The World Baseball Classic was a Grand Slam Start to an Exciting Season of Baseball in Miami

BY CAROLINE O’CONNOR President of Business Operations @ The Miami Marlins

As the World Baseball Classic 2023 came to end, I looked back on a monumental tournament that put an international spotlight on Miami. I marveled over the on-field excitement, from Japan’s Shohei Ohtani and USA’s Mike Trout facing off for the first time to the life-changing inning for Nicaragua’s Duque Hebbert that landed him a deal with a Major League Baseball team.

Throughout the entire WBC, fans filled the ballpark with unmeasurable energy and passion for each of the respective countries competing. The World Baseball Classic scored record-breaking attendance in Miami, with more than 475,000 fans checking out the action in Miami alone, setting records overall and round-by-round in the United States. Game after game was sold out from start to finish - culminating with our largest crowd of the tournament for the finale.

The World Baseball Classic was a success for Miami. The numbers confirm this. All eyes were on Miami and this year’s WBC shattered tournament viewership, attendance, and merchandise records. More than 150,000 hotdogs were consumed at loanDepot park and championship gear sold out in an hour after the final game ended. We also saw the rising popularity of the Brightline Home Runner with nearly 5,000 riders taking advantage of the free shuttle from MiamiCentral to loanDepot park. The demand was so great we added shuttles for fans Opening Day to accommodate the West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Ft. Lauderdale riders. Those who couldn’t make the game were incredibly active on social media and watching on TV. And there was baseball-fever not just in Miami but throughout all participating 20 nations, with nearly 30% of fans attending coming from outside South Florida.

The stars also came out to show support for their home teams. WBC ambassador and international music icon Daddy Yankee was spotted around loanDepot park from the first pitch to the last out. Everyone wanted to check out the action - from Marc Anthony and Luis Fonsi cheering on Puerto Rico, along with South Florida pro athlete stars from the Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Miami Dolphins, Inter Miami CF and more. It was amazing to see Marlins legends like Edgar Renteria, Livan Hernandez, Ivan Rodriguez with Miami legends like Dwyane Wade. Miami

I was fortunate to be inside loanDepot park for all 15 WBC games and experienced firsthand how impactful this tournament was for our city of Miami. Even if you only made it to one game, worked at the stadium, were a vendor who brought an aspect of the game to life, or a hotel or business that served thousands of visitors from outside South Florida, you know what I’m talking about. The WBC has set the tone for the beginning of baseball season and for years to come. A sixth WBC will come around again in 2026, and I think this year Miami more than put its best foot forward to again be a host city.

With the Miami Marlins season now in full gear, let’s keep the party going at loanDepot park. Whether it’s a family outing, a team building event for work or just a good old fashioned day out at the ballpark, we’re excited to see the South Florida community cheering on their very own Miami Marlins as we celebrate the team’s 30th anniversary. www.mlb.com/marlins/tickets