For the first time since 2009, the Mets are witnessing something distinctive: a crowd showing up in full force and turning the regular season into a spectacle. And at the base of this wave are two colossal personalities—Steve Cohen, the big-swinging billionaire behind the rebuild, and Juan Soto, the elite slugger fans can’t stop talking about. Together, they have electrified Queens, but not everyone is sold on who deserves more praise.

For the first time since Citi Field opened in 2009, the Mets are officially in the top five for average home attendance with 37858 numbers, per ESPN. That is no small feat for a team battling the shadow of its crosstown competitors. However, this year, the stands are buzzing with belief.

Much of that spark stems from a lineup finally clicking and a rotation producing heat. The team boasts the most home wins, which is 27 in the league and sits atop the AL East with a 45–24 record. Pete Alonso is smashing, Juan Soto is finally delivering after a slow beginning and the pitching stars have dominated in almost all statistical categories. So, naturally, the fans are showing up in droves.

However, there is a twist. Such a spike comes just months year after the team owner Steve Cohen expressed visible frustration over empty seats. “That really bothered me. Eighteenth in attendance when we’re right in the pennant race?” he said last year. Fast forward to this season and it’s a different picture altogether.

Still, the fans are not exactly unified in their opinions. Some fans argue this newfound enthusiasm has less to do with loyalty towards the teams and more to do with one star: Juan Soto. The former Yankees outfielder, who arrived this season, is not only heating up at the plate, drawing attention, headlines and ticket sales, but his availability adds star power as well — and some think it is the driving force behind the turnstile jump.

That division among the fans has initiated a debate beyond the field. Are Mets fans truly buying into the team’s long-term plan? or are they just riding the hype wave while Soto’s in town? It is a debate that is only gaining steam — specifically, with injuries testing the Mets’ depth and the postseason race tightening.

From the Cohen effect to the Soto spotlight

The resurgence of energy at Citi Field is not going unnoticed. “The Cohen Effect,” wrote a fan on X. And honestly, he could be on to something. Cohen’s relentless pursuit of excellence, from vital free agent signings to investment at Citi Field, has rejuvenated the Mets in every way. From a management once identified for restraint to now writing billion-dollar checks, Cohen has flipped the team’s identity for sure.

Then comes the next layer and it is the jersey No. 22. “This is the value of Juan Soto… It is also, and most importantly, the business factor. Butts on seats,” wrote another fan. This fan is not just hyping Soto’s swing; he is spotlighting his stardom. In his last 12 games, Soto has been a pitcher’s nightmare. It is not just reflected in the numbers— though those are stellar — it is his presence. He is making the Mets a must-watch again.

Building on that momentum, one more netizen dubbed it the “Soto Effect.” They are not wrong. With Soto anchoring the lineup and providing daily highlight reels, he is more than just a bat; he is a billboard. Back in March 2025, a report by AI Bat highlighted just how seismic his arrival had already been for the team—months before Opening Day rolled around.

The momentum Soto generated at the period of Spring Training alone proved that his $765 million mega-deal was not just about his swing—it was about turning the Mets stadium into a hot ticket again. And that’s what is exactly happening. No wonder appreciation for Cohen runs deep.

“Steve opened up the bank vault and he is getting solid support for doing that. Win-win. Congrats,” another fan chimed in. Cohen bought the team from the Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz families in 2020 with a check of $2.4 billion. As per the Associated Press, the Mets spent $1.13 billion on payroll and $228.7 million in taxes before the $765 million Juan Soto deal.

Other vital deals that define the team’s expenditure scene are Francisco Lindor’s $341 million deal and Pete Alonso’s $30 million deal in 2025. Cohen has been all-in. Now, what is refreshing is how fans are giving Cohen his flowers — acknowledging that this team feels elite not just because of talent, but also because of his vision. For a team long identified as the Yankees’ little brother, such a fan validation is everything.

However, in true Mets fashion, there is always a dose of humility. A fan said, “That’s great… but Mets fans need to up their game. We’re being outdrawn by Philly.” Oof — that one stings. Despite this surge, teams like the Phillies are still leading in home attendance standing at the 4th place. So, while the Mets are cheering up for a 16-year breakthrough, the race to fill every seat at Citi Field is far from over.

Regardless of who deserves the credit, one thing is clear: the team is finally turning heads.

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