The Athletic's 2026 MLB Fan Survey, conducted in February, with more than 14,500 respondents) is an annual poll of its readers on the state of baseball. Results were released Monday, in a multi-part series covering the game's direction, economics, fan experience (including ticket prices and TV/streaming issues), and future outlook. It builds on prior surveys (e.g., 2023 post-rule changes) and shows generally positive but cooling enthusiasm: on-field play is praised for revitalization via rule changes, yet off-field issues like access and costs are dragging on the experience.
Key Overall Highlights
- Optimism about MLB's direction: 67.1% of fans are enthusiastic or hopeful (a big rebound from the 2022 lockout era), with only 21.9% upset or disappointed. Nearly 76% say they enjoy the game as much or more than a decade ago, though dissatisfaction has risen slightly since 2023 (24.1% now report enjoying it less, vs. 14.6% then).
- Rob Manfred's approval: Middling and stable—36.3% rate him poorly (1 or 2 out of 5), improved from 2022 but down slightly from 2023.
- Dodgers dominance: More than half of fans view the Dodgers' success (including their 2025 title) as bad for baseball, citing big-market advantages and a "broken system."
- Gambling: Vast majority do not bet regularly on MLB, but fans are deeply worried about integrity amid heavy ads and recent scandals.
- Economics: 64% favor a salary cap (up from 59% in 2022); 92.2% blame owners for payroll gaps. Many support stronger revenue sharing and spending floors to improve competitive balance.
- Viewing habits: MLB.tv is now the top platform (surpassing cable TV since 2023), with over one-third of fans watching nearly every game. Radio use is strong (61% at least weekly).
- Ticket prices/attendance: Ballpark attendance has risen steadily (71.4 million in 2025), but most fans attend only a few games a year. High costs (family of four minimum ~$200 for mediocre seats, plus concessions/parking) are a major barrier.
The survey dedicates significant attention to how blackouts and fragmented streaming are frustrating fans and hurting accessibility—the core of the "fan experience" article.
Key findings include:
Overall, the survey portrays blackouts as one of the most persistent barriers to fandom—worse than in prior years for many—despite on-field improvements. Fans want simpler, blackout-free access (ideally one all-team streamer) and criticize the "legal web" of old RSN deals as outdated in the streaming era.
- Nearly 40% of fans are regularly impacted by blackouts due to MLB's regional sports network (RSN) contracts. This affects both local TV and out-of-market streaming on MLB.tv.
- Blackouts are especially acute in certain markets (e.g., Las Vegas has six teams blacked out on MLB.tv: Athletics, Giants, Dodgers, Angels, Padres, D-backs; similar issues in Iowa). Fans report missing 18–20+ games per season even with subscriptions.
- MLB.tv marketing promises ("see every out-of-market game") feel misleading to many, as more games shift to extra paid streaming services (e.g., one fan noted paying $150/year for MLB.tv + another $100 for a local team, plus 15% of games on yet other platforms).
- Commissioner Rob Manfred has publicly said MLB needs to "be out of the business of blackouts." Fans and the article point to a potential all-30-team streaming service as a long-term fix; MLB has already taken over local distribution for some teams.
- Fan frustration is widespread in quotes:"For $150 a year, I should be able to watch all teams and all games with ZERO blackouts." (Astros fan in Kansas City)
- "In Las Vegas… they are one of SIX teams blacked out here!… As a Yankees fan, it is infuriating that I have to miss at least 18-20 games a year."
- "The blackouts on MLB.tv… make 'see every out-of-market game' a bald-faced lie… a good way to wound, if not kill, the golden goose."
- "No league has actively made it more difficult to watch their games than MLB has over the last 10 years. It discourages fans from tuning in."
Overall, the survey portrays blackouts as one of the most persistent barriers to fandom—worse than in prior years for many—despite on-field improvements. Fans want simpler, blackout-free access (ideally one all-team streamer) and criticize the "legal web" of old RSN deals as outdated in the streaming era.