How our Major League Baseball partnership hits a home run for US partners

We’re simplifying the way Americans plan their baseball travel across the United States – and driving incremental demand to US properties listed on Booking.com. With nearly two-thirds (61%) of American baseball fans saying they’re willing to travel up to 500 miles to watch an MLB game*, we saw a unique opportunity to engage with US travelers. In March, we announced our partnership with MLB as its official online travel partner.

“We are excited to welcome Booking.com to the MLB family of partners," said Noah Garden, MLB Chief Revenue Officer. “With over 2,000 games across the country every summer, our fans love traveling to experience the incredible Major League atmosphere at our beautiful ballparks. We hope this partnership with Booking.com can make that experience all the more enjoyable.”

As the 2023 MLB season gets into full swing, we’re more than ready to drive domestic travel and make your properties stand out to travelers.

Fans want to cover all bases – you can too

Travel is a huge part of baseball culture. In our recent survey* of US baseball fans, our findings revealed that almost half (49%) plan to travel to at least one MLB game this year. Many fans have it on their bucket list to visit every stadium – and we plan to make that dream easier to achieve.

But what are the deciding factors for Americans booking a trip to attend an MLB game? Our research says the top three are price (63%), with 48% saying they’d spend under $400; the accommodation’s location in relation to the stadium (49%); and transportation to and from the property (21%). 

Top tip: Lean into MLB season by offering great deals for a range of price points, flexible cancellation options, or updated property descriptions noting the distances to stadiums. Transportation information and on-site parking also make it easier for travelers to book a stay.

Making it easier for baseball fans to book your property

We’re making the process simpler for fans to book trips to games. With easily accessible Booking.com icons featured across MLB’s official schedule pages, fans can search and book properties near Major League stadiums.

“Booking.com continues to invest in the US market with our official sponsorship of Major League Baseball, showcasing our latest commitment to making it easier for Americans to find and book the perfect trip,” says Ben Harrell, Managing Director, US at Booking.com. 

Throughout the long-term partnership, we’ll work with MLB to develop inspiring and innovative ways for baseball fans across the country to make the most of their travels with our accommodation partners. One way to capture demand is by setting up Getaway Deals to make your property more visible to fans searching for a getaway. Another option is to add US State Rates to target fans from specific states.

Keeping Booking.com top of mind for US travelers

As Ben Harrell comments, “With a variety of property options across the country in MLB cities—from hotels to vacation rentals and more—plus a user-friendly app, Booking.com looks forward to bringing baseball trips to life for fans, helping them with their travels as they enjoy America’s favorite pastime with family and friends.”

MLB gives fans a range of opportunities to get involved, from its official app to MLB.TV and MLB.com, across mobile and connected devices and through social media. With Opening Day already breaking records as the most-watched day in MLB.TV history, the sponsorship will provide enormous brand exposure and drive demand for partners like you. 

This research was commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adult baseball fans across the United States through an online survey in March 2023. A total of 1,003 respondents were polled.