FTX MLB Home Run Derby X Debut in London by Numbers

The inaugural FTX MLB Home Run Derby X event in Crystal Palace Park, London attracted more than 1.2 million viewers via live stream and 6.9m total event views across MLB’s social channels where fans watched the Yankees beat the Red Sox 42-40 in the final.

At the heart of the event was the electrifying new baseball format where 4 teams, each with an MLB Legend, a Superstar, a Rookie and Wild Card representing the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees battled it out in the pre-lims. The 3^rd place playoff saw Dodgers triumph over Cubs before the Yankees outslugged the Red Sox in the final, with Softball superstar Erika Piancastelli taking home the MVP award. Full run down of each game can be found here.

The baseball meets festival experience attracted both existing and a new generation of baseball fans. Emma Saunders and Josh Denzel were hosts for the day and as well as home runs and epic catches, the thousands who attended were also treated to interactive baseball-inspired activities, ballpark food, a live performance by AJ Tracey, sets by Reprezent Radio DJs, Bisola and DJ GBE, as well at the opportunity to purchase exclusive MLB merchandise.

The FTX MLB Home Run Derby X generated a set of unique numbers:

11,011

People attended the first FTX MLB Home Run Derby X event in London, the first of a 3 stop 2022 tour before Seoul and Mexico City

1.2m

Viewers of the live stream globally

6.9m

Total event day views across MLB social channels

808k

Engagements from the event day content on MLB social channels

Percent of the audience who tuned in for TikTok live were non-followers of MLB – a new audience

2,464

Baseballs were onsite at Crystal Palace Park for gameplay purposes including the orange FTX Hot Streak balls

205

Home Runs were scored during the pre-lims, 3^rd place play off and final

Points was the highest contribution by a single player from Home Runs, Target Hits and Catches – Boston Red Sox, MLB Legend – Jonny Gomes

£17,000

Donated to Youth Sport Trust by FTX who committed £425 for every Home Run that was hit on an FTX Hot Streak ball

1029

HRDX Hot Dogs sold via Home Run House food truck

Stock left of Home Run Derby X event-specific caps at the end of the day

FTX MLB Home Run Derby X global tour is being supporting by Imagination, the global experience design company, Cake, the Havas-owned creative agency specializing in sport, entertainment and culture and global media company, Team Whistle.

FTX MLB Home Run Derby X will continue to create high-energy live event experiences and opportunities for digital storytelling as attention moves to the next two final events of the tour.