Getty

New York Mets fans watch from largely empty sections during a 2026 game at Citi Field as attendance concerns grow amid a slow start.

The seats tell the story.

At Citi Field this week, large sections of the ballpark sat noticeably empty during a midweek game — a stark visual for a franchise that entered the season with expectations far higher than what’s played out so far.

For the New York Mets, the drop in attendance isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s being reflected directly in the secondary ticket market, where prices have quietly dipped to levels rarely seen for a team in New York.

And fans have noticed.

For this Thursday’s game, tickets on the secondary market dropped as low as $4, including fees.

A Rough Start Driving the Narrative

Through the first stretch of the 2026 season, the Mets have struggled to find consistency — and the standings show it.

Sitting near the bottom of the National League East, the team has dug itself into an early hole, trailing division leaders by a significant margin. A 10–19 start, paired with uneven play both at home and on the road, has quickly shifted the tone around the club. Only the Philadelphia Phillies trail the Mets in their division.

The expectations coming into the season weren’t modest. This is still a roster built to compete, in a market that demands it. And a team that has a massive payroll with the highest in the MLB for the 2026 season at roughly $352.2 million

Instead, the early returns have left fans frustrated — and in many cases, disengaged.

When Performance Impacts the Gate

New York is built differently.

In smaller markets, attendance dips can be gradual. In New York, they can be immediate — and dramatic.

Fans don’t just react to losses. They react to direction, energy, and belief in the team. Right now, there are legitimate questions about all three.

That’s where the empty seats come in.

The image of scattered fans across wide sections of Citi Field isn’t just a snapshot — it’s a signal. One that’s reinforced by declining ticket prices and a quieter-than-expected home atmosphere.

The Price Gap Tells Its Own Story

What makes this moment stand out is how far the pricing has fallen relative to the experience.

At that price point — just $4 to get in — it’s now cheaper than a round-trip train ticket for many fans, and significantly less than most concessions inside the ballpark.

That disconnect is unusual — especially for a franchise in one of baseball’s largest markets.

It’s not just about affordability. It’s about perceived value.

Right now, fans aren’t convinced the product on the field matches the cost — even when that cost is minimal.

Can the Mets Turn It Around?

The reality is, this can change quickly.

Baseball seasons are long, and momentum swings matter. A strong stretch of play can bring fans back just as fast as they’ve stepped away.

But until that happens, the current scene at Citi Field is hard to ignore.

Sparse crowds. Slumping results. And a ticket market reflecting both.

Right now, you can get into a Mets game for $4 — and that might be the clearest sign yet of where things stand.