Travelers Spend $2,000 for World Series Trip to Save on Milwaukee Resale

Fans from Wisconsin are traveling to St. Petersburg for the World Series because the total cost of the trip is lower than buying tickets in their hometown.

The Tampa Bay Rays are hosting the Milwaukee Brewers at Tropicana Field. The series has drawn visitors who compare the expense of flying to Florida against the price of resale tickets in Milwaukee. Many find the trip to Florida is the cheaper option.

Ben Ives flew to St. Petersburg from Rhinelander, Wis. He brought his family and several friends. He said the total cost for airfare, lodging, and game tickets came to about $2,000. He compared that figure to the $3,500 price tag for standing-room-only tickets at the Milwaukee stadium. Ives noted that his group’s passion for the team made them willing to pay whatever was necessary to attend the game.

Brad Sowinski, a friend of Ives and a lifetime Brewers fan, also traveled to the city. He mentioned that he tried to secure tickets at his hometown stadium but found it difficult due to high demand. He described the local fanbase as too passionate to miss the event.

Kevin and Anne Bina visited from West Salem, Wis. They are working toward a goal of visiting all 30 Major League Baseball parks. Kevin Bina stated that the trip allows them to check off two items at once. They now have four stadiums left on their list. Anne Bina said the combined cost of their flight, trip, and tickets was less than the price of a single ticket in Milwaukee.

Local businesses near Tropicana Field are experiencing a higher volume of customers. Sophie Lenzie works at the front desk of the Moxy St. Petersburg Downtown, a hotel located a few blocks from the stadium. She reported a definite increase in hotel stays since the Rays secured a playoff berth. Lenzie described the atmosphere as busy and crazy. She also noted that the hotel is in denial about the team moving to a new stadium in Tampa, although she is happy the roof was repaired after Hurricane Milton damage.

Restaurants in the area are also seeing more guests. Francisco Cenzon owns Casa Origen Farm Kitchen on Central Avenue. The restaurant opened only a few days before the series. Cenzon said foot traffic has grown significantly. He attracts baseball fans looking for meals that are more nutritious than typical stadium fare. Kenneth Hoyumpa co-owns Grassroots Kava House in the Edge District on Central Avenue. He reported an influx of people, with most coffee purchases happening before the game and some overflow after. Hoyumpa said he wants the Rays to play as many games as possible to keep people in the area.