Subscriptions cost $33 to $75 a month. The cheapest option grants fans standing room only access to all 81 games and a guaranteed seat for at least 10 games, with the option to purchase a seat for additional games. Buyers get discounts on concessions, merchandise and parking.
The Athletics averaged 20,521 fans a game this season compared with 19,427 a year ago. Dave Kaval, the Athletics’ president, said A’s Access membership has more than doubled this year, with 9,535 additional people purchasing the pass this season.
The A’s also added the Treehouse, a large area in left field that includes two bars, a patio deck, games and a DJ, with these new fans in mind.
“All of those experiences together will encompass a trip to the ballpark,” Kaval said. “That’s going to be very important as baseball continues to compete with other entertainment.”
Teams have also begun ripping out luxury suites, a decision they don’t make lightly because they account for 5 percent to 25 percent of attendance revenue, according to Todd Lindenbaum, chief executive of SuiteHop, an Airbnb-type service for luxury suites. Premium lounges have replaced them. Before this season, for instance, the Giants tore out six traditional suites and installed the Cloud Club, a semi-exclusive suite-like venue.
“Especially in this area where there are so many start-up tech companies, they want to come out, they want to hang, they want to have a meeting,” said the Giants’ Alioto. “They are having a great time. But it’s a product that we think a business consumer is looking for.”
Luxury suites have always been a tougher sell for baseball teams than their football and basketball counterparts, said Lindenbaum. It is much easier to entertain clients in a suite for eight or 10 N.F.L. games than for the 81 home dates baseball provides. But there is still interest in what he called “premium experiences.”