MLB beer prices by team: See where drinks, hot dogs are cheapest at stadiums across league

It's no secret that stadium food isn't always the cheapest, but beer and hot dogs can cost you a lot more based on where you buy them − as much as three times more.

USA TODAY obtained hot dog and beer prices at 28 MLB stadiums, highlighting which stadiums have the cheapest and most expensive value options. Prices were obtained via teams, food management companies or independent verification.

Only two teams were not involved in the data; the Chicago Cubs and their food management company, Levy Restaurants, did not provide pricing information after multiple requests. The Tampa Bay Rays, also represented by Levy Restaurants, declined to participate.

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How much does a hot dog cost at an MLB game?

Data shows hot dog prices range from $3 to just over $8 among stadiums with available price data.

The Miami Marlins have the cheapest hot dog prices in the league, costing $3. They are followed by the Atlanta Braves ($3.99), Minnesota Twins ($3.99), Milwaukee Brewers ($4) and Seattle Mariners ($4).

On the opposite side, the Baltimore Orioles have the most expensive hot dog in baseball at $8.25. The Orioles are followed by the Oakland Athletics ($7.79), St. Louis Cardinals ($7.75), San Francisco Giants ($7.75)  and San Diego Padres ($7.75).

How much does beer cost at an MLB game?

Beer prices differ by stadium not only because of where the alcohol is being sold, but also because the sizes can range from 12-ounce cans to 16 and 24-ounce drinks.

Beer prices in this analysis − which were provided via the teams, food management companies or independent verification − represent the cheapest beer option available at each stadium. To compare beer prices by team, drink costs were divided into price per ounce.

By price per ounce, the Mariners have the cheapest option at 33 cents per ounce for their 12-ounce cans, which cost $4. The five cheapest options included the Braves (42 cents), Twins (42 cents), Marlins (42 cents) and Toronto Blue Jays (47 cents).

The Los Angeles Dodgers have the most expensive beer at 99 cents per ounce for 16-ounce cans, which cost $15.99. Beer at Dodger Stadium cost 30 cents more per ounce than any other team. The second most expensive beer per ounce is 69 cents, which is shared among six other teams (Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, Padres, Brewers and Orioles).

Hot dog, beer prices at each MLB stadium

How are food and drink prices set?

Jamie Obletz, president of Delaware North Sportservice, which is the food management company for 10 teams, said a variety of factors go into determining the prices at each stadium, but “at the heart of it is supply and demand.”

“You see a pretty broad spectrum or pricing across different areas of the ballpark, across different products, across different types of quality of product,” Obletz told USA TODAY. “I think where most of the industry has landed, including ourselves, is trying to make a pricing scheme that works for all audiences.”

Price-setting typically happens in the preseason, but negotiations between both sides can last all the way up until the day before the season starts.

Obletz added as much of it is a collaborative process between teams and food management companies to set pricing, it’s common for some back-and-forth to happen what price should be used for items.

“The industry has evolved to a level of sophistication where these disagreements aren't as significant as maybe you would think outside looking in,” he said. “It's more on the margin or the fine tuning or ‘how does this work?’”

Some teams also have value games where prices are cheaper than most games. For example, the Detroit Tigers have $3 hot dogs on Tuesdays instead of the normal price of $6.29.

Does fan input matter in setting food prices?

It’s rare for prices to be changed during the season, but it can happen if fan or team feedback pushes enough on it, like a certain item costs more than fans are willing to pay for. Obletz said companies are always looking for feedback, which can be used to determine any midseason changes or changes for next season.

“Yes, we're all economically driven. But at the end of the day, you're trying to maximize that gameday experience for the fans, to keep them returning to that venue for the long term,” he said. “Objective number one, in my view, is to provide that value proposition and meet the guests or meet the customer where they want to be met.”

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Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB beer, hot dog prices by team 2023: Most, least expensive stadiums