The Most Expensive Hotdog In The MLB Is At This Stadium

Having a hotdog at a baseball game is not only tradition but also a core part of the game's experience that began in the late 1800's, when vendors sold sausages outside public events. Harry Stevens, a food concessionaire from England, is reported to have sold these dachshund sausages wrapped in bread rolls that were called everything from "frankfurters" to "red hots." However, the name only became hotdog after a cartoonist, Tad Dorgan, drew a barking dachshund sausage in a roll. Because he couldn't spell the word dachshund, he titled it "Hot Dog."

Hot dogs have remained baseball staples ever since. However, whereas in 1975, you could get a hotdog at Wrigley Field for 50 cents, today you can expect to pay quite a bit more — on top of your ticket and your sports betting spending. Across Major League Baseball stadiums, basic hotdogs sell for between $2.55, $8.39. However, as fancier options have become more readily available, some specialty hotdogs can go for even more. Case in point, the Boomstick, offered at Texas Rangers games, which was $32.96 during the 2024 season, or $35.99 for the burrito version. With these prices it might be worth finding out if an ESPN+ subscription is worth it so you can watch the game from home.

As if grocery prices haven't skyrocketed enough as it is, the rise of specialty hotdogs has only served to increase the costs that consumers can expect to pay at a game. However, for some that cost might be entirely worth it. For instance, the previously mentioned Texas Rangers' "Boomstick" is a 26 inch long beef frank topped with nacho cheese, jalapeños, and sautéed onions — an appealing option compared to a classic hot dog which often weighs just 1.5 ounces at stadiums. 

Another option can be found at Houston Astros' games, where you can find "Dat Creole Dawgs" for $18. It contains two hotdogs with pickled okra and Creole potato salad. Meanwhile the Colorado Rockies' "Rockie Dog" piles on grilled peppers, sautéed onions, and sauerkraut for $6.50. Though these are pricier than standard products, they often outsell basic hotdogs due to fans seeing these unique food options as shareable "splurges" tied to the game-day experience.

Petco Park is home to both the San Diego Padres and the most expensive regular hotdog in the MLB. A simple hotdog goes for $7.99. However, this should come as no surprise if you consider that San Diego's cost of living is 44% above the national average, according to Homes.com. This is sure to impact food pricing at the stadium, since worker wages and vendor fees are typically calculated into concessions prices. There's also the fact that the park has generally more upscale amenities, including waterfront views and chef-driven kiosks — further justifying the markups in price.

At the other end of the pricing spectrum, the Arizona Diamondback's Chase Field offers the cheapest hotdog in the MLB, with a hotdog selling for just $2.99 on the stadium's value menu. loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, and Yankee Stadium are also among the cheapest when it comes to hot dog prices, according to a concessions survey by WebstaurantStore.