Padres raising season-ticket prices for a fifth straight year in 2026

The Padres are raising season-ticket prices for a fifth straight year.

Season tickets come with a weighted average increase of 7% for 2026, according to a team spokesperson — more than doubling last year’s increase.

Padres Chief Executive Officer Erik Greupner announced the hike Tuesday in an email to season-ticket holders.

“As a result of our continued investment in the ballpark and payroll, strong demand for Padres tickets and significant increases in the cost of city services that the Padres must pay to operate the ballpark,” Greupner wrote, “members will see a moderate price increase for the 2026 season.”

The Padres did not raise season ticket prices from 2017 through 2021. From there, the weighted average — based on membership tenure, seating locations and various plans — has increased from 20% in 2022 to 18% in 2023 to 9% in 2024 to 3% for this season.

Rising ticket costs have been paired with arguably the most successful era of Padres baseball and increased demand. The team has already sold out 49 of its 55 dates at Petco Park. The Padres rank third in average attendance and have capped season ticket sales each of the last three years while maintaining a waiting list.

The Padres have also increased payroll from $173 million last year to about $222 million this year, 11th in the majors, according to spotrac.com, and last week made significant trades to boost what the team hopes is its fourth postseason berth in the last six years.

The Padres advanced to the National League Division Series last year, where they lost to the Dodgers in five games.

This spring, the Padres signed pitcher Nick Pivetta as camp got underway and last week traded for Mason Miller, Ramón Laureano, Ryan O’Hearn and Freddy Fermin, among others, without giving up anyone needed for a postseason push.

Miller, Laureano and Fermin are under control beyond this season, as is new pitcher JP Sears.

Next season’s nucleus will also include shortstop Xander Bogaerts ($25 million in 2026), third baseman Manny Machado ($21 million), right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. ($20 million), right-hander Joe Musgrove ($20 million), Pivetta ($19 million), right-hander Yu Darvish ($16 million) and infielder Jake Cronenworth ($12 million).

Center fielder Jackson Merrill signed a nine-year, $135 million extension in April, but his base salary is just $1 million next year.

Right-handers Michael King and Dylan Cease can be free agents after this season. Closer Robert Suarez is an opt-out candidate.