Twenty-nine of Major League Baseball’s 30 clubs are hosting “Pride Night” events this June, all except the Texas Rangers. These initiatives feature themed merchandise, rainbow lighting, special ticket packages, and community partnerships—such as Seattle’s collaboration with GSBA and Seattle Pride, where a portion of ticket sales supports LGBTQ causes.
Teams across the league—from Atlanta to Phoenix—are participating. The Seattle Mariners alone have two Pride-night games (June 4 vs. Baltimore and June 13 vs. Cleveland), offering fans themed giveaways and donating to LGBTQ community funds . Other franchises, like Boston’s Red Sox, Arizona’s Diamondbacks, Colorado’s Rockies, and Kansas City, have scheduled events featuring rainbow hats, apparel, and pre-game celebrations.
The Texas Rangers remain the lone holdout, affirming a welcoming environment but opting not to host a specific Pride event. They maintain, “Our commitment is to make everyone feel welcome … across our many programs”. Historically, in 2003, the Rangers hosted a LGBTQ fundraising event but have since declined to designate an official Pride Night.
This widespread participation reflects MLB’s ongoing embrace of LGBTQ inclusivity. The league’s Pride Nights began in 2000, pioneered by the Dodgers, and have grown into a prominent cultural feature . Critics say such events signify a progressive shift in sports.
