“Boston will forever be home no matter where I am in the world,” Arenales, who has a tattoo of a Red Sox logo, said in an interview with NESN after the game. “It means the world.”

The six-week show that ended in July features ready-to-mingle singles called “Islanders” who lounge in a luxurious villa in the South Pacific while competing for love and a $100,000 prize. The “Islanders” participate in challenges and are at the whim of public opinion as viewers vote for the couples they want to stay on the show.

The show’s popularity surged this summer, offering a welcome escape for many viewers. Clips from season seven were viewed more than 632 million times in June, a 232 percent increase from season six, according to NBCUniversal.

On July 13, Arenales and Espinal were chosen by viewers as the season’s winners. Arenales won the $100,000 prize but immediately chose to split it with Espinal.

Espinal, who fans called “Amaya Papaya,” was a favorite on the show, known for her quirky catchphrases like “sensitive gangsta” and “I got 10 toes, not one toe missing.” Espinal gained 3.8 million followers on Instagram over the course of the show.

Espinal’s morning routine captured the hearts of viewers across the country, who packed into bars and restaurants to watch the show.

The couple has flooded social media with red hearts for each other and went on a media tour after their win, appearing on the TODAY Show and Access Hollywood. On The TODAY Show, Arenales said he planned to donate some of the money to “mental health awareness.”

The first Latino couple to win the show, Arenales and Espinal were invited to Fenway Park during its annual Dominican Republic Celebration. Espinal is Dominican.

“Can we pull you for a chat & first pitch, Amaya & Bryan?,” the Red Sox posted on Instagram Monday, drawing more than 340,000 likes.

While Espinal’s throw didn’t quite make it to home plate, Arenales gave her an “A+” for effort, he said in the NESN interview.

“It was amazing and beautiful,” Espinal said in the interview. Her arm intertwined with Arenales’s, Espinal said “the fact that we’re embracing the culture and embracing the people and all of us here as a union is amazing. I feel blessed.”

Amaya Espinal of Love Island reacts after a ceremonial pitch before a game between the Kansas City Royals and the Boston Red Sox. Brian Fluharty/Getty

Arenales said throwing out the first pitch was a “childhood dream.”

“I grew up coming to games and everything, so going in there, I just felt like the little kid inside me was jumping around and I got to do it with Amaya,” he said

In the grandstand Monday, Gen X men with only a vague understanding of “Love Island USA” asked their Gen Z daughters to explain the appeal.

Cassidy Shubatt, a Harvard doctoral student clad in a backwards cap, said she studies economics and her next podcast episode will explore the economics of the show.

She was at the game with her fiancé and parents, who were visiting from Dubuque, Iowa.

“I did not know they were going to be here, but I’m a big Love Island fan,” said Shubatt, 28. “I watched all summer.”

College students Clara De Barros and Bryce Lajoie bought their tickets two hours before the 7 p.m. game.

“They were so expensive, and we were debating if we should even come, but I’m so glad we did because I got to see that,” De Barros, 19.

Lajoie rattled off player stats while De Barros posted a photo of the “Love Island USA” couple to her Snapchat.

“I didn’t watch Love Island but I make her come to these games, so it’s fun that there’s something here for both of us,” Lajoie, 20, said.

“And I make him watch Love Island,” De Barros said with a laugh.

Claire Thornton can be reached at claire.thornton@globe.com. Follow Claire on X @claire_thornto. Ava Berger can be reached at ava.berger@globe.com. Follow her @Ava_Berger_.