RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Wednesday that the baseball team ranked 39th among the 305 NCAA Division I baseball teams in total and average attendance during the 2024 season.
UTRGV welcomed a program record 62,132 fans for 29 games across 28 dates, a program record average of 2,219 fans per date.
The previous records were 45,461 total fans, set in 2023, and an average of 1,920 fans across 20 dates in 1972.
"To break our season attendance record by such a wide margin is a testament to the incredible people of the Rio Grande Valley, our sponsors, and our hard-working staff," UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. "Between the passion of our fans, the support of our corporate partners for tailgates and promotions, the creativity of our marketing and promotions staff, the fan experience packages created by our ticketing team, and our remarkable presence on digital and in traditional media, every baseball game has become a must-attend event. This is an exciting time for the Valley as the pride in UTRGV is both evident and growing exponentially."
Context is Key
UTRGV had the ninth best overall attendance outside of the Power 5, ranking ahead of all institutions in the A10, America East, Atlantic Sun, Big East, Big South, CAA, Conference USA, Horizon League, Ivy League, MAAC, MAC, Missouri Valley, Mountain West, NEC, Ohio Valley, Patriot League, SoCon, Summit League, SWAC, WCC, and WAC.
UTRGV welcomed the second and third largest crowds in program history, with 6,044 for a game against UT Arlington on April 6 and 5,374 for a game against Utah Valley on April 13, respectively.
UTRGV also welcomed seven of the program's 10 largest crowds since moving into UTRGV Baseball Stadium in 2002, including 4,451 against Sacramento State on May 17 (fourth), 4,314 against Sacramento State on May 18 (fifth), 4,313 against Grand Canyon on March 23 (sixth), 3,962 against Stephen F. Austin on April 28 (ninth), and 3,915 against Stephen F. Austin on April 27 (10th).
UTRGV drew 44,093 fans for 15 conference games, an average of 2,940 per game. When the Vaqueros started conference play, Friday and Saturday nights were special in the Valley. During conference play, UTRGV averaged of 2,900 fans per Friday conference game and an astonishing 4,792 fans per conference game on Saturday nights at UTRGV Baseball Stadium.
"I think you've got to give a lot of credit to the Valley for supporting this university and giving us this much support," UTRGV head coach Derek Matlock said. "Achieving these attendance numbers was a team effort, and what an incredible job by our administration for marketing our team in a way that got people excited to come out to the field. Last year we broke a 48-year old attendance record. To come back and do that for a second year in a row shows everyone that there's something big happening in the Valley. It's very exciting for our players and coaches and we're really thankful for that."
Join the Fun
Season tickets for the 2025 baseball season are now on sale at GoUTRGV.com/Tickets.
- Fans who renew or purchase season tickets by June 14 will be part of a season ticket holders recognition at a game during the 2025 season.
- Fans who renew or purchase their season tickets by July 12 will receive an invitation to watch batting practice in the for one game during the 2025 season.
- Fans who renew or purchase season tickets by August 16 will receive a popcorn card for free popcorn at every home game.
- Fans who renew or purchase season tickets by September 20 will receive additional complimentary tickets (equal to the number of season tickets purchased) to the South Texas Showdown, presented by Rally Credit Union, games against Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
- Fans who renew or purchase season tickets by October 18 will receive an autographed card of head baseball coach Derek Matlock.
Current season ticket holders with expiring multi-year commitments for suites and/or corrals, as well as those with home plate club seats and/or reserved seats, have until October 18 to renew their season tickets. After that, reserved seats will become available to the public. Should a suite, corral, or any home plate club seats become available, UTRGV Athletics will first contact fans on the respective waiting lists before making these premium seating areas open to the public.
Seats outside of the home plate club in sections E through L are available for purchase as reserved seating for $225 per seat ($125 for one ticket plus a $100 V Club donation). All reserved seating purchased by season ticket holders will have signage signifying that the seats are reserved.
General admission season tickets can be purchased for $125 each.
To purchase season tickets, fans can visit GoUTRGV.com/Tickets or contact assistant director for tickets sales and operations Ryela Rodriguez (956-665-3747) over the phone or through email at tickets@utrgv.edu.
The home plate club features breathable mesh seats, a drink rail, and ample leg room directly behind home plate. In addition to an excellent field level view, fans can enjoy waitstaff taking food and beverage orders so fans can catch every moment of each game.To learn more, contact Rodriguez.
UTRGV Baseball Stadium also features 10 suites and 13 corrals, the latter of which are party decks from which fans can grill beyond the right field wall. Suites come with 20 season tickets while corrals come with 10 season tickets, a tent, and a grill. All suites and corrals require multi-year commitments and are currently sold out. To get on the waitlist, contact Rodriguez.
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