What happened: The miter-shaped hat carried the club’s sock logo and was distributed at Rate Field on Aug. 11. Chicago expanded the giveaway from specialty-ticket buyers to every fan after strong demand.
Why it matters: The promotion helped push 2026 attendance beyond the club’s full 2025 total. The team had already built its 2026 schedule announcement around a Conclave theme.
By the numbers: Season attendance reached 1,460,383 after the promotion, topping the 2025 total of 1,445,738 by 14,645.
What to watch: The club’s next move will show whether the papal theme continues beyond August.