If you're looking to catch a pro sports game in New York, there's no shortage of options.

From as far south as Long Island, all the way out west to Buffalo, New York boasts multiple professional teams in all of the four Major Leagues, as well as countless Minor League and independent teams. Every time one of those teams take the field, thousands of New York sports fans are in the stands ready to cheer them on.

But, with all of these fans spread throughout the state, which team's venue welcomes the most fans every single year? As it turns out, a prominent venue in the Capital Region is being mentioned in that conversation.

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Saratoga Race Course Welcomes More Fans Than Most NY Pro Teams

According to a story published by WNYT Channel 13 in Albany, Saratoga Race Course brings in more spectators than most professional sports teams across the state. Not only that, but just two teams welcome more fans through their doors than the Spa: the New York Yankees and New York Mets.

Information from WNYT was originally published from the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. According to that group, paid attendance in the 2021-2022 season in New York has looked like this:

  • Saratoga Race Course: 1.1 million (40 days)
  • New York Knicks: 763,400 (41 games)
  • Brooklyn Nets: 711,500 (41 games)
  • New York Islanders: 694,600 (41 games)
  • New York Rangers: 690,400 (41 games)
  • Buffalo Bills: 610,352 (9 games) *sourced from ESPN*

As previously mentioned, the two teams that bring in more fans are the Yankees and the Mets. The New York Yankees welcomed 1,959,854 fans to Yankee Stadium in 2021, while the New York Mets had 1,484,665 fans at Citi Field, according to ESPN.

Fans at Saratoga Race Course / Getty Images
Fans at Saratoga Race Course / Getty Images
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There is a large group of horse racing fans in the Capital Region, and those passionate fans pack the bleachers every week during the summer meet. Not only that, but the New York Racing Association has done a remarkable job of making every week at the Spa a spectacle.

We just did a story on the must-see summer events at Saratoga Race Course this summer, and if this list is any indication, we're in for another red-letter summer in the Capital Region.

And They're Off! Ten Must-See Summer Events at Saratoga Race Course

Ahead of Opening Day for the 2022 season at Saratoga Race Course, NYRA has announced an action-packed schedule of special events for spectators this summer.

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