ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KFVS) – Whether watching from the comfort of home or packed into the stands with thousands of fellow Cardinals fans, Opening Day is always an occasion in Cardinals County.
On Thursday, March 26, the Cardinals will start their 2026 season by taking on the Tampa Bay Rays at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
Here is your comprehensive guide to Opening Day.
St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird takes part in pregame festivities before of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Miami Marlins, Thursday, April 4, 2024, on opening day in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(Jeff Roberson | AP)On the Field
The starting pitchers for the game are Drew Rasmussen for the Rays against Matthew Liberatore for the Cardinals. Thursday’s matchup will be the first Opening Day start for both pitchers.
According to MLB.com , the Cardinals’ Opening Day Roster is set.
Catchers:
Pedro PagésIván HerreraYohel Pozo
Infielders:
Alec BurlesonJosé FermÃnNolan GormanThomas SaggeseRamón UrÃasJJ WetherholtMasyn Winn
Outfielders:
Nathan ChurchVictor Scott IIJordan Walker
Starting Pitchers:
Kyle LeahyMatthew LiberatoreDustin MayMichael McGreevyAndre Pallante
Bullpen:
Justin BruihlRiley O’BrienMatt PushardJoJo RomeroChris RoycroftGeorge SorianoRyne StanekMatt SvansonGame Day Schedule10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Official Cardinals Pep Rally – Busch II Infield at Ballpark Village (click the link for details and to make a reservation)12:00 p.m. – Busch Stadium Gates Open12:00 p.m. – 12:55 pm – Cardinals Batting Practice12:55 p.m. – 1:50 pm – Rays Batting Practice2:30 p.m. – Official Pregame Ceremonies begin with the World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales2:37 p.m. – Ford Mustang motorcade featuring Cardinals Hall of Famers2:49 p.m. – Ford Truck motorcade featuring the 2026 Cardinals players, manager, and coaches3:05 p.m. – National Anthem, performed by the Red & Black Brass Band3:10 p.m. – Ceremonial First Pitch3:15 p.m. – First PitchGetting to Busch Stadium
The Missouri Department of Transportation is working on several improvements on Interstate 55 that could impact traffic between the Heartland and Busch Stadium.
The first construction zone on I-55 northbound starts near the intersection with Highway 67(exit 174A) and involves lane shifts and width restrictions until just north of Pevely(exit 180).
The second construction zone on I-55 involves lane reductions on the Meramec River Bridge just north of the Arnold exit(exit 191).
In St. Louis, lane restrictions or width restrictions are in place on various sections of Interstate 55, due to construction. Some exit/entrance ramps are also closed. As drivers travel north on Interstate 55, the construction zones start at the Germania Street exit(exit 202B) and extend off-and-on to Virginia Street.
For the very latest information, visit MoDOT’s online traffic map on their website.
Once in Downtown St. Louis, fans will likely notice the demolition of the former Millennium Hotel on the 200 block of South 4th Street. The site is being cleared for a mixed residential/commercial development.
Game Day Forecast
First Alert Meteorologist Madeline Parker says it will feel like an early summer game day in St. Louis on Thursday. She expects plenty of sun with temperatures topping out in the low 90s. It will be breezy. However, a cold front will move through St. Louis and the Heartland late Thursday evening. Expect temperatures to feel colder if arriving back home in the Heartland early Friday morning.
Cardinals Opening Day will be warm, with a game time temperature in the 80s.(KFVS)Concessions
Busch Stadium will offer several new food items and concession stands in 2026.
Stadium concession stands will feature a rotation of St. Louis-area restaurants throughout the season.
Select concession stands will also feature new items such as birria ramen, a chicken and waffles sandwich, and Gooey Butter Cake on a Stick.
Three new options are available in the Ford Plaza concession stand behind Center Field:
Intentional Wok will serve classic Asian Cuisine, including specialties like Steamed Pork Pot Stickers and Fortune Cookies. Outfield Grill will serve classic hot dogs with specialty dogs like the Brisket Dog and the Bacon Cheddar Dog.Freddy’s Frozen Custard will serve frozen concretes sundaes, and shakes in signature and classic flavors.
Crumbl Cookies will serve fresh cookies at a stand on the main concourse(section 136), and boxed cookies at various locations.
May Ketchup by Plaintain Girl serves specialties from the Caribbean islands at a stand on the main concourse near Gate 4.
Session Taco will serve a variety of street tacos and sides on the main concourse behind home plate.
Visit the Fan Food Guide page on the Busch Stadium website for more information or take a peek at the value menu at select concession stands.
Bag/Security Policy
Fans are allowed to bring bags into the stadium, but they cannot be larger than 10x10x8 inches. The bags do not have to be clear. All bags are subject to inspection at the entry gates at Busch Stadium.
Fans are allowed to bring food and non-alcoholic beverages in the bags as long as the items are factory-sealed.
For an in-depth list of prohibited items, click here.
Watch/Listen at Home or in the Car
Cardinals baseball will be broadcast on the Cardinals Radio Network for free. To find the radio station closest to your location, click here.
Big changes are coming to the way Cardinals Fans can watch the Redbirds in 2026.
Major League Baseball has taken over the production of Cardinals games this year. Fans can watch every Cards game on Cardinals.TV presented by bet376. Packages include monthly and season-long rates.
Cable and satellite providers will carry Cardinals.TV , but specific stations and channels have not been announced. According to MLB, the announcement will be made on Opening Day.
Some cable/satellite customers will get access to CardinalsTV through their provider. That means some cable/satellite customers can sign in and watch Cardinals.TV with their provider’s credentials.
More information and answers to frequently asked questions are available here.
If you are having issues accessing a game or have questions about your account, you can visit MLB’s online Support Page. Toll-free support is available by phone at 866-244-2291, email by clicking here, on Social @MLBFanSupport, or via a Virtual Assistant.
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