October baseball will be good for Toronto restaurants.
That’s according to past spending data provided by Moneris, a company that specializes in payment processing.
As the Toronto Blue Jays get set to begin their playoff march with two games at home this weekend, downtown eateries should expect to see an increase in supporters dining while taking in the action.
And the further the Blue Jays go in MLB’s post-season, the bigger the benefit to local businesses.
“With the Jays entering the playoffs as the top seed in the American League, this means one extra home game in the ALDS and ALCS if the series goes the distance,” Vice President of Business Development Sean McCormick said in a news release.
“Our data shows that when the stakes are high, fans step up to the plate, not just for their team but also for local businesses.”
During Game 1 of the Maple Leafs’ second round playoff matchup with the Florida Panthers last spring, the company said restaurant spending in the city increased by 13% when compared to a non-game day.
By Game 7 of the series, spending volume increased again, up 18% downtown as fans packed local restaurants before the Leafs exited the post-season.
The company said spending at restaurants during Game 4, while the Leafs were on the road in Florida, increased by 25%, showing fans were intent on dining out to cheer from afar.
“Looking back at the Leafs’ playoff run earlier this year, we saw double-digit increases in restaurant spending on game days,” McCormick said.
“If the Jays advance deep into the post-season, the economic impact could be just as powerful, especially downtown, where every inning means more opportunity for local restaurants.”
During the Blue Jays last playoff appearance two years ago, the company said there was a noticeable uptick in restaurant spending near Rogers Centre when compared to regular season game days.
This year, there are several reasons for a bigger financial impact on sports bars, pubs, and other eateries in the city, according to Moneris.
A best-of-five series gives businesses more days for fans to cheer on the team. By locking up the top seed in the American League, the Blue Jays also have at least two home games and possibly a third to clinch the series.
If the team goes deeper in the post-season, the road to the World Series runs through the Rogers Centre.
“When the Jays made the Wild Card series in 2023, we didn’t see a big lift in restaurant spending, because Wild Card series are short and both of the games were on the road,” McCormick said.
“This year is a different story. With more games and home-field advantage, the potential for local economic impact is much greater.”