The Los Angeles Dodgers faced a must-win situation in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, but their fans apparently didn't get the memo. As the team fought to stay alive against the Milwaukee Brewers, Dodger Stadium was dotted with empty seats—a sight that quickly became the story of the night.
The Brewers marched into Chavez Ravine and left with a commanding 6-2 victory, pushing the Dodgers to the brink of elimination. Milwaukee broke the game open with a three-run seventh inning, outscoring Los Angeles 5-0 over the final three frames. Now, the Dodgers need to win four straight games to reach the World Series—a feat no team has accomplished since the 2004 Red Sox.
But while the on-field drama was compelling, the real controversy unfolded in the stands. Social media erupted with criticism aimed at Dodgers fans for their lackluster turnout. One fan wrote, "Talk about a fanbase spoiled by success. Look at all the empty seats in the wings of the upper deck for the Dodgers tonight. That is a disgrace. And it's the 6th inning and those seats are still empty."
Another added, "This is no way to sugarcoat this. This is an absolute embarrassing showing by the residents of Los Angeles tonight. Your team is a group of overachievers and you have thousands of empty seats. Absolutely pathetic!" The criticism wasn't limited to a few voices; it was a chorus of disappointment across platforms.
"Dodgers fans better not ever have a comment about anyone else's crowd ever again. The NLCS and the upper deck is half full. I guess money can't buy fans," one user posted. Another chimed in on X, "The amount of empty seats at Dodger Stadium for playoff games is embarrassing. Don't care about traffic or what time the game is being played, there's 29 other MLB teams that would KILL to host a game like this."
The empty seats were especially glaring given the stakes. The Dodgers were facing elimination, and their fans had a chance to provide a home-field advantage. Instead, they offered a disappointing early exit that mirrored the team's performance. This isn't the first time the fanbase has faced scrutiny this postseason; they were also called out for their behavior during Game 1 of this series.
Even the team's manager, Dave Roberts, tried to spin the situation positively, referencing the Red Sox's historic comeback. "I think they've seen the documentary," Roberts said postgame. "They know it can happen." But the fans' absence suggests they may not believe it—or simply don't care enough to show up.
The optics were made worse by the fact that ticket prices had already plummeted as the Dodgers fell behind 0-2. With the team's back against the wall, one would expect a raucous crowd. Instead, the upper deck looked more like a Tuesday afternoon in April than a playoff game.
The criticism isn't just about attendance; it's about the culture of a fanbase that has been spoiled by regular-season success. The Dodgers have won the NL West for over a decade, but postseason glory has been elusive. Now, with their season on the line, the fans' absence sends a message that even they don't believe in this team.
As the Dodgers prepare for a potential elimination game, the question remains: will the fans show up? Or will they continue to embarrass themselves on the national stage? One thing is certain—the baseball world is watching, and they're not impressed.
