Toronto has been swept up in Blue Jays playoff fever — and it’s paying off for local businesses. From packed pubs and busy hotels to booming merchandise sales, the team’s postseason run has reignited both fan spirit and the city’s economy.
For lifelong fan Troy Burtch of Great Lakes Brewery, the excitement has been both personal and professional. “I was 10 when the Jays won their last World Series in 1993, and I want my son, who’s 11, to experience it like I did,” he said. Over the past few weeks, Burtch has spent more than $250 on Blue Jays gear and seen a 10 per cent jump in beer sales as bars and restaurants order more kegs to meet game-night demand. “This has been tremendous for small businesses at a time when it’s really needed,” he said.
That surge in spending extends far beyond the brewery. Ticket resales for Monday night’s Game 7 against Seattle soared to $1,500 for premium seats, with even upper-deck singles going for over $300 on StubHub. Regular season seats can be had for less than $50, but the playoff energy has fans willing to splurge.
First-time attendee Je Ho Cho, 23, paid $200 for a friend’s extra ticket to Game 6. “The energy was off the charts,” he said. Cho bought a $50 Jays cap to blend in with the blue-and-white crowd and treated himself to a $10 soda at Rogers Centre — “totally worth it,” he laughed.
Victoria Tam, another fan riding the playoff wave, said the excitement spilled over into her weekend spending. After a $90 sushi dinner and a quick Uber to the stadium, she spent another $25 on popcorn and drinks. “It’s the atmosphere,” she said. “You see everyone celebrating, and you just join in.”
The Jays’ success has also driven a tourism boom. Destination Toronto reported that hotel occupancy jumped 22 per cent on October 5 — the night of Game 2 against the Yankees — compared to the same date in 2024. “Fans from coast to coast are flying in to be part of the action,” said Kelly Jackson, the organization’s vice-president.
Local restaurants are feeling the ripple effect too. Michelle Silva, who works at Toby’s Pub & Eatery near Kensington Market, said traffic has been “significantly higher” on game nights. “Orders are about the same, except when the Jays win — then we see a few more shots go out to celebrate,” she laughed.
As Toronto basks in baseball euphoria, businesses across the city are toasting the Jays’ run — and hoping it continues. After all, in a city where playoff tickets can cost more than a month’s rent, fans aren’t just cheering for wins — they’re fueling an entire economy.