St. Louis is a baseball town. That hasn’t changed. But a conversation I had in St. Louis recently went something like this. “The Cardinal Upper Management currently see themselves as above the fans. Not having to explain the reasons for team decisions.” I said “You just described Moz.” The “Best Fans in Baseball” at the moment find themselves in an adversarial position against the club brass. Hence, a lack of fans at the ballpark.
A-lot of empty seats at Busch Stadium these days
Empty Busch Stadium/Getty Images-Canva
Empty Busch Stadium/Getty Images-Canva
If you’ve been paying attention, Busch stadium is empty. The Cardinals have been one of the league’s best draws year in and year out for a long time. Not now. How bad is it? The Cardinals used to average over 40,000 tickets sold per game. Sellouts were the norm. In 2025 the Cardinals are averaging just over 28,000 tickets sold per game, but if you tune in, there are nowhere near that many people in attendance. St. Louis currently ranks in the bottom half of the league in attendance. Baseball Heaven is mostly empty. The Cardinals aren’t a draw on the road anymore either. Used to be Cards fans traveled well, and had fans ready to show up in most big league towns. Those numbers are way down too.
St. Louis sports fans are making different choices
Busch Stasium/Energizer Park – Canva/Google Street View
Busch Stasium/Energizer Park – Canva/Google Street View
There are many factors involved, but fans have other options. I just went to a St. Louis City SC match. The vibe in the park was different than Busch, and it was a sellout. City isn’t setting MLS on fire either (lest you think this is a front runner thing). They are almost the bottom of the league in the Western conference and won’t make the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row. City SC sells out most of the time. Yes, there are fewer seats to fill. Percentage wise, the Cardinals are the worst in attendance in St. Louis. Behind the Battlehawks (!!!), The Blues and City SC. St. Louis City SC had a golden opportunity to grab the sports spotlight over the last couple summers and have nutmegged themselves. However, the team is not standing pat, with an interim head coach and sporting director at the moment. That’s acknowledgement of a plan that isn’t working. At Busch there is no such thing.
A different vibe (and sellouts) at Energizer Park, just blocks away from Busch Stadium
Stl City SC players taking pitch – Canva/Getty Images
Stl City SC players taking pitch – Canva/Getty Images
Meanwhile Blues General manager Doug Armstrong has been intentional about being upfront with the fans about what the team’s plans for the ongoing rebuild on the ice. The ‘Note has momentum and should be an exciting and competitive team when the season starts next month.
Read More: A Letter to Cardinal Fans: Hope After a Lost Season
St. Louis is still a baseball town, but sports fans have options. Cardinal upper management need to reset their relationship with the baseball savvy St. Louis fans. Chaim Bloom this is on you as soon as this season is over. Engage with the fans about the plan. Let them know team success is something that the club and fans do together. Learn from Doug Armstrong and the Blues, and DO NOT put on a bow tie (a’la Moz). It’s out of style in St. Louis.
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