One of the Philadelphia Phillies’ most beloved annual promotions will be put to the wayside in 2024.
The Phillies have scrapped their $1 hot dog offerings at select games, and instead go forward with an alternative promotion for discounted wieners. Rather than offer fans dollar dogs, the organization selected two games—April 2 vs. the Cincinnati Reds and April 16 vs. the Colorado Rockies—that will feature BOGO hot dogs, with $5 getting fans two franks.
Philadelphia cited the unruly behavior of fans as one of the reasons for the change, indicating that fans throwing the hot dogs had become an issue.
During an April game last season against the Miami Marlins, fans began a food fight after hotdogs were launched between sections at Citizens Bank Park, resulting in multiple supporters being ejected from the game.
Everyone's throwing hot dogs. The "here come the pretzels" moment has come to life. pic.twitter.com/T5eLBGVnUF
— Sixto Lezcano (@mleif) April 12, 2023
In addition to hot dogs being flung around the stadium, the increase in crowds flooding the concourse and an overflow of people at vendors and stands played a role in the shift.
“It wasn’t just the throwing,” said John Weber, senior vice president, Phillies ticket operations and projects, via The Associated Press. “It’s the concourse, the crowds of everybody being at the same X amount of stands. But obviously, you know, the throwing was a little bit of a tipping point.”
“Hopefully our fans will still come out and view two hot dogs for five dollars as a value and support the team in those two April dates that we have,” Weber added.
