Bridgewater's Little League World Series run came to an end over the weekend, but the Red Sox are rolling again after a rejuvenating sweep of the Giants at Fenway Park. (Just don't look too closely at this replay.) Speaking of which... A not-so-tini return on investment: If the Red Sox' remarkable turnaround season wasn't enough to get you to Fenway, officials are hoping cute martini-inspired hats will do the trick. The park has been offering ticket promotions, like theme nights and cultural identity nights, for around a decade. But over the last four seasons, the events — and the limited-edition merch associated with them — have spiked in popularity. In 2023, the stadium attracted 60,000 fans through these offers, according to Travis Pollio, senior director of ticket strategy and promotions at the Red Sox. This year, they're expecting that number to land between 225,000 to 250,000. "People are really passionate about many things," Pollio said. "Coming to Fenway, of course. Seeing a baseball game. But obviously everyone has many interests, and when we can pair those and provide an experience at Fenway that's a little bit more unique, that's really what's helped create this amazing world we're in now." - What kind of events are we talking? Pollio first noticed the potential for theme nights after two "viral" collaborations in 2023 — one with Bad Bunny and another following the release of the summer blockbuster "Barbie." Learning from that, Pollio said his team prioritizes "finding what's new, what's hot, what's trendy, and pulling off promotions quicker and faster than anyone can in 30, 45, 60 days," he said. Themes cover a range of interests, from espresso martinis to Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters" to author Mel Robbins. And limited-edition items serve as an extra draw. "We drop a new hot dog hat and it's like, we sell 1,000 tickets in a day sort of a thing," Pollio said.
- New faces at Fenway: Theme nights are responsible for tens of thousands of first-time visits to Fenway, according to Pollio. He said that between 30% to 40% of attendees at these events have never bought a ticket to a Red Sox game before. "It's providing us the opportunity to make these individuals Red Sox fans," Pollio said. "We're continually funneling in new people, and these offers have become one of the most successful ways in doing that."
- Go deeper: Whether you're one of the thousands of first-timers at Fenway or just haven't been in a while, check out our new Field Guide to Fenway Park, which includes tips on navigating the ballpark, nearby dining options, and of course, where to find a public restroom.
- Psst: You can scout out all of Fenway's upcoming theme nights here.
In the Seaport: The federal extortion trial for Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins begins today at Boston's Moakley Courthouse. Prosecutors say Tompkins pressured a cannabis company executive for a $50,000 equity investment in exchange for a continued partnership with the sheriff's department — and then later pressed for a refund when the value of the stock fell. Tompkins, who has stepped away from his job during the trial, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Meanwhile in Plymouth: The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy is entering its final phase this week. After Clancy's defense rested its case Friday, WBUR's Deborah Becker reports that the prosecution is expected to call expert rebuttal witnesses to respond to the defense's arguments today, before the two sides move to closing arguments. The case is then expected to go to the jury to decide the verdict later this week. P.S. — After a dip in popularity, flounder is back on the menu at 10 local restaurants as part of a statewide "Flat is Back" campaign to promote the fish. From now through Sept. 30, you can try flounder dishes at Boston-area eateries like Comfort Kitchen, Row 34 and Bistro du Midi. See the full list and how they're serving the fish. |
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