St. Louis — Busch Stadium was once a bastion of passionate attendance, but 2.25 million attendance in 2025 (up from 3.2 million just two years ago) is a wake-up call. President Bill DeWitt III made it official today: “We got the message the fans sent.”
In a dramatic press conference, DeWitt emphasized that the Cardinals’ number one priority remains getting a winning team back on the field. But he also revealed a series of strategic changes to keep fans coming back:
Game day entertainment: Make each game a different event, with a “Friday will not be like Sunday” experience to create a sense of constant freshness.
Value & Cost: Hold or lower ticket, food, and parking prices — a rare move that is expected to ease fan dissatisfaction.
Security & Safety: Promote the DHS security certification and unveil a new downtown entertainment district, which will help fund additional security.
A drop of more than 1 million spectators in two years has forced management to face the reality: fan loyalty is no longer a given. The empty seats at Busch Stadium are a reminder that St. Louis — one of the most baseball-loving cities in America — can turn its back on the team if it doesn’t live up to expectations.
“Our fans deserve a winning team,” DeWitt repeated, his eyes intense. “We can’t take that for granted anymore.”
Now, as the Cardinals prepare for a transitional season, the biggest question isn’t just who will bat, who will pitch… but whether St. Louis can win back the broken hearts of millions of loyal fans, before empty seats become a familiar sight downtown.
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