TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Full season box office revenue for six teams in Taiwan’s professional baseball league is estimated to set a record at NT$1 billion (US$31.1 million), with each team exceeding the NT$100 million mark for the first time due to the addition of the Taipei Dome as a venue.
Top of the league in terms of on-field performance and box office, CTBC Brothers’ box office revenue is estimated to exceed NT$300 million. In second, in both standings and box office revenue, was the Wei Chuan Dragons, which reported an estimated NT$200 million this past season, per Liberty Times.
CTBC Brothers reported an average home game attendance of 10,098, with the Wei Chuan Dragons averaging 8,041 spectators at home. The Dragons played 10 home games at the Taipei Dome, with attendance averaging 20,922 people per game, boosting the team’s full-year box office revenue to roughly double from 2023 figures.
However, the Dragons continued to struggle financially, and the team is expected to report another financial loss this year.
Dragons General Manager Ding Zhong-wei (丁仲緯), speaking at the team’s Fan Fest activity held on Sunday (Oct. 27) at Tianmu Stadium, said the team's box office and merchandise have grown significantly this year; however, the team has continued to invest heavily in players and operations.
Ding said the Taipei Dome would help revenue, though it may come with a price as fans may be less inclined to attend games at the team’s home venue, Tianmu Stadium. Thus, the team would need to work hard to differentiate between games in Tianmu Stadium and Taipei Dome, creating a different fan experience.
Ding noted the team was catering to different fan groups such as families and females through special promotions such as left field “camping area” tickets. Such promotions have helped the team increase attendance over the last season.
Still, there is no overlooking the benefits of the Taipei Dome for the Dragons. Ding hoped to increase the number of home games held in the dome next year as the team’s fan base is primarily based in the Taipei area.
