Welland Jackfish

What Welland Jackfish does

Welland Jackfish Baseball is a privately held professional sports entertainment organization that operates a baseball team competing in the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL/CBL), one of Canada's oldest baseball leagues established in 1919. Founded as an expansion franchise in 2019 and based at Welland Stadium in Welland, Ontario, the organization fields a roster that passes through approximately 34 players per season and plays an IBL schedule against teams including the Baycats, Barnstormers, Cardinals, Majors, Maple Leafs, Panthers, Red Sox, and Royals. Day-to-day operations are run by a small permanent team of 3 full-time employees supplemented by 6 interns, 30 game-day workers, and volunteers during the May-August season. The franchise has scaled to #1 IBL attendance (2023 and 2024) and drew over 70,000 fans in 2025.

The business operates an event-driven revenue model across five primary streams: (1) ticket sales through single-game tickets ($14-$16), season memberships, and flex packages sold via a direct-to-consumer online ticketing platform and stadium box office; (2) merchandise sales through an online storefront at shop.wellandjackfish.com; (3) corporate sponsorships covering stadium signage, audio/video spots, web ads, and presenting rights for themed game nights (Motorboater Night, Beach Party Night, Meatball Night); (4) 50/50 raffle proceeds that benefit Crime Stoppers of Niagara; and (5) a Ticket Fundraising Program in which community groups purchase tickets at $10 and resell at $16, retaining $6 per ticket. Adjacent product lines include the Jacques Kids Club subscription ($40/year for ages 12 and under), youth summer camps, a Host Family Program for player accommodation, the Strikeouts for Families charitable campaign tied to Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Pond Water Lager, a co-branded pale lager produced with Newark Brewing Company. The technology stack is intentionally lightweight: an online ticketing platform, YouTube live streaming for home games, a merchandise e-commerce site, and social media channels (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Spotify podcast), with no disclosed proprietary AI, data, or platform technology.

The franchise is a community-anchored entertainment business whose economic footprint materially exceeds its direct revenue: it generated $1.9M (2024) and $2M+ (2025) in regional economic impact, $469,435 in labor income (2024), $803,898 in local vendor spending (2024), and over $390,000 in cumulative charitable contributions to Niagara Region organizations across six seasons. Ownership is founder/operator-led under President Ryan Harrison, with no disclosed external investment, parent company, or acquisition activity.

Name

Welland Jackfish

Legal name

Welland Jackfish Baseball

Website

https://wellandjackfish.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Welland Jackfish operates a professional baseball team in Canada's Intercounty Baseball League, playing home games at Welland Stadium in Welland, Ontario. The franchise generates revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, corporate sponsorships, 50/50 raffles, and community fundraising programs serving regional sports fans and families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Sports Entertainment

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Baseball & Softball Leagues (MPAKAAAC)

Keywords

• Minor league baseball
• Professional sports entertainment
• Live sports ticketing
• Community sports programs
• Youth baseball development

Headquarters

HQ city

Welland

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single-game tickets, season memberships, and flex packages sold directly to consumers through the ticket platform. Single game tickets range from $14-$16 per seat.
2. Merchandise Sales: Team merchandise sold through the online team store at shop.wellandjackfish.com
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Marketing Essentials including outfield fence signs, stadium concourse signs, pocket schedule ads, audio/video spots, and web ads. Also includes sponsorship of themed game nights.
4. 50/50 Raffle Proceeds: 50/50 raffle draws during home games in support of Crime Stoppers of Niagara, generating significant community donations
5. Ticket Fundraising Program: Community groups purchase tickets at discounted rate ($10) and sell at face value ($16), keeping $6 per ticket as fundraising revenue

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Welland Jackfish operates a professional baseball team in the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL/CBL) at Welland Stadium in Welland, Ontario. Revenue is generated by selling single-game tickets, season memberships, and flex packages, plus a children's membership (Jacques Kids Club), youth summer camp, branded merchandise, a co-branded craft beer, in-game 50/50 raffles, group outing packages, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Welland Jackfish Baseball operates as a professional sports entertainment organization offering a portfolio of products and services centered around live baseball games at Welland Stadium in Niagara. The core product is the Intercounty Baseball League baseball team, supported by ticket sales (single game, season memberships, flex packages) and group outing accommodations. Additional offerings include youth programming (Kids Club, Summer Camp), charitable initiatives (50/50 raffles, Strikeouts for Families, fundraising programs), entertainment experiences (FUNductor appearances, mascot Jacques, celebration messages), co-branded merchandise (Pond Water Lager), media content (podcast), and community programs (Host Family Program). The organization generates revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, sponsorship, and community partnerships while delivering entertainment experiences to fans throughout the IBL season.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pond Water Lager: A German-inspired pale lager developed in partnership with Newark Brewing Company, showcasing pilsen malt and Hallertau hops, available as a 473mL can at 5% alcohol volume.
• Jacques Kids Club
• FINatics Booster Club

Products and services

• Welland Jackfish Baseball games Live professional baseball games played by the Welland Jackfish in the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL/CBL) at Welland Stadium in Welland, Ontario, Canada. The core offering for fans, families, and the Niagara Region community.
• Single Game Tickets Per-game admission tickets with tiered pricing: Box Seat $16, Bleacher Seat $14, and Lawn Seating $14. Children 3 and under are free; grass berm seating is $5 for children 10 and under. No exchanges or refunds on individual game tickets.
• Season Memberships Full-season ticket packages granting access to all home games with membership benefits including the Never Wasted Ticket policy.
• Flex Packages Flexible ticket bundles that let fans select specific games and customize their attendance for the season.
• Group Outings Private or semi-private group bookings for corporate events, birthdays, and celebrations at Welland Stadium with dedicated seating areas.
• Jacques Kids Club Membership Annual children's membership program ($40 per child, ages 12 and under) that includes a membership card, 4 complimentary tickets, food vouchers, a t-shirt, exclusive events, monthly prize draws, and a 10% store discount.
• Youth Summer Camp Baseball skills development program for young players during the summer months.
• 50/50 Raffle In-game 50/50 raffle draw held during home games in support of Crime Stoppers of Niagara, with the winner announced in the 7th inning.
• Ticket Fundraising Program Community fundraising program in which community groups purchase discounted tickets ($10 each, minimum 25 tickets) and resell at face value ($16), keeping $6 per ticket as fundraising revenue.
• Team Merchandise Apparel and novelty items sold through the online team store at shop.wellandjackfish.com and at Welland Stadium.
• Pond Water Lager Co-branded German-inspired pale lager developed in partnership with Newark Brewing Company. Showcases pilsen malt and Hallertau hops, available as 473 mL cans at 5% ABV at home games and at Tailgates Bar and Grill.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70,000 fans attended games in 2025, generating $2+ million economic impact
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Crime Stoppers of NiagaracoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary 50/50 raffle partner during all home games. In 2024, raised $63,777 for Crime Stoppers through 50/50 draws, and in 2025 raised $69,888. Partnership spans multiple seasons as the designated charity for raffle proceeds.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central OntariocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStrikeout for Families campaign where Jackfish donates $10 per strikeout by team pitchers. Raised $3,880 in 2023, $3,450 in 2024, and $4,030 in 2025. Supports families of seriously ill children being treated at nearby hospitals.
• Local McDonald's LocationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Ronald McDonald House Charities campaign. Local McDonald's restaurants participate in the Strikeout for Families initiative to support families of ill children.
• FINatics Booster ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFan-driven non-profit organization that supports the team. Matched the Strikeout for Families campaign donations (doubling to $10 per strikeout), and donates to charitable causes alongside the team.
• Newark Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to produce Pond Water Lager, a German-inspired pale lager available at home games and Tailgates Bar and Grill. Represents branded merchandise/food & beverage partnership.
• Intercounty Baseball League (IBL/CBL)coreOthersMember of Canada's top baseball league (also known as CBL). The league was established in 1919 and is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world. The team competes in the IBL against teams including Barnstormers, Baycats, Cardinals, Majors, Maple Leafs, Panthers, Red Sox, and Royals.
• Ability Property MaintenanceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor presenting Motorboater Night promotional event.
• MP Paradise Pools & SpasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor presenting Beach Party Night promotional event.
• Pen FinancialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor presenting Meatball Night promotional event.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Burlington Barrons / Hamilton Barnstormers: IBL/CBL franchise listed on the league site. Direct peer competing in the same league for Ontario-based baseball fans and corporate sponsors.
• Barrie Baycats: Direct IBL/CBL competitor based in Barrie, Ontario. Competes in the same league for fans, players, and sponsors, with a similar community-focused minor league baseball model.
• Kitchener Panthers: Direct IBL/CBL competitor in Kitchener, Ontario. Operates the same business model — community baseball with ticketed home games, sponsorship inventory, and themed promotions.
• Hamilton Cardinals: Direct IBL/CBL competitor in Hamilton, Ontario. Plays in the same league with comparable ticket pricing, sponsorship structures, and community engagement programs.
• London Majors: Direct IBL/CBL competitor in London, Ontario. One of the more established IBL franchises, competing for league prominence and the same regional Ontario fan base.
• Guelph Royals: Direct IBL/CBL competitor in Guelph, Ontario. Operates the same league model with similar attendance scale and Ontario mid-market positioning.
• Toronto Maple Leafs (IBL): Direct IBL/CBL competitor based in the Greater Toronto Area. Same league and business model, operating in a larger adjacent media market with potentially different sponsor dynamics.
• Brantford Red Sox: Direct IBL/CBL competitor in Brantford, Ontario. Same league, similar community-driven minor league baseball structure and revenue mix.

Regional players

• St. Catharines Nationals / Niagara Travellers: Other baseball organizations in the immediate Niagara Region. Compete for the same local baseball fans and corporate sponsorship dollars that the Jackfish depend on.
• Niagara IceDogs (OHL): Professional junior hockey team based in St. Catharines within the same Niagara Region. Competes with the Jackfish for family entertainment dollars, sponsorship budgets, and summer leisure time despite operating in a different sport and league.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wellandjackfish
• YouTubeyoutube.com/wellandjackfish
• Facebookfacebook.com/wellandjackfish
• Instagraminstagram.com/wellandjackfish
• TikToktiktok.com/@wellandjackfish
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wellandjackfish

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Welland Jackfish