Shohei Ohtani’s Presence Drives White Sox Home Game Attendance Boost and First Sell-Out of the Season

The White Sox have sold out their home game against the Dodgers on Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field. This is the first sell-out of the season for the team, and it’s not surprising considering Shohei Ohtani will be playing. Ohtani is one of the best and most popular players in the league, and his presence on the field is likely a big reason for the increased attendance.

Despite struggling with a record of 21-60, this past offseason Ohtani made headlines by signing a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Dodgers. He has had a solid performance so far in this series against the White Sox, going 2-of-7 at the plate with two runs, three RBIs, and one home run.

The Dodgers have been leading in home attendance at Dodger Stadium with an average of 47,523 fans per game. They also have a strong following on the road with an average of 33,765 fans per game. Against the White Sox in this series, Ohtani has been instrumental in drawing fans to watch him play.

So far this season, the White Sox rank 27th in MLB in attendance. They are averaging 16,709 fans per game at home and 22,263 fans per game overall according to ESPN. However, when Ohtani plays at Guaranteed Rate Field, attendance skyrockets as seen during Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers where they sold out due to his popularity among fans.