The 2025 MLB playoffs have produced strong TV ratings with star players and exciting games driving interest. And a pair of big market clubs in Los Angeles and Toronto heading to the World Series is good news for players’ bank accounts, based on how MLB doles out playoff pay.
The MLB playoff pool is tied to ticket revenue generated during the postseason. The Dodgers produce the most per-game ticket revenue in the sport, thanks to the only stadium in MLB with a capacity of 50,000 or more, and ticket prices that are neck-and-neck with the New York Yankees for the highest in baseball. The Blue Jays are also a top-10 team for gate after their recent $300 million renovation of Rogers Centre.
Last year’s postseason playoff pool was $129.1 million, which was 20% higher than the previous high of $107.8 million set in 2023 thanks to the heavyweight matchup in the World Series, where the Dodgers topped the Yankees.
The Dodgers split $46.47 million of the pool as champs. They awarded 79 full shares worth $477,441, a tick below the record of $516,347 in 2022 when the Houston Astros had 59 full shares.
The 2025 World Series could challenge last year’s playoff pool record. The face value of tickets in Toronto ranged from $245 to $3,550, while in Los Angeles, they went on sale priced from $800 to $1,371.
The MLB playoff pool is drawn from the minimum number of games in each series (two games in the Wild Card round, three in the Division Series, and four each in the League Championship Series and World Series). The pool is made up of 60% of gate receipts from each of those games.
The World Series winner receives 36% of the pool, while the runner-up gets 24%. The two LCS losers split 24%, the four teams that lost in the Division Series divide 13%, and the four WC losers split 3%.
The payouts are pocket change for the sport’s top earners, with the top 15 set to earn a combined $745 million this year from salaries and endorsements. Still, it is a boost for the large number of players earning the minimum MLB salary, which was $760,000 in 2025.
Baseball’s championship payouts slot in behind the NBA on a per-player basis. NBA playoff teams split $34.7 million this year, with each Oklahoma City Thunder player earning $828,000 for winning the title. Philadelphia Eagles players made $357,000 for their Super Bowl run. In the NHL, the 2025 playoff pool was $23 million, and roughly $250,000 per player went to the champion Florida Panthers.