It’s been one of the most surprising storylines of the 2025 MLB season so far—not on the field, but in the stands. Busch Stadium, normally one of baseball’s most electric atmospheres, has felt noticeably quieter, and the numbers back it up.
The St. Louis Cardinals are averaging just over 29,000 fans per home game, ranking 12th in the majors, per ESPN. That might not sound bad for most clubs, but in St. Louis? That’s a shocker. This is a fanbase that’s packed the house for two decades straight, rain or shine, win or lose. This year, the fans are sending a message.
Willson Contreras is Frustrated with the Fan Base
Veteran catcher Willson Contreras noticed, too—and didn’t hold back after Sunday’s game.
“We play for them! I don’t know why they’re not here,” Contreras said, via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “You guys give us energy… Don’t stop believing in this team because we have everything. We need to compete.”
Willson Contreras’ passion is real. His call to action was heartfelt. But it also sparked a fair question—why aren’t fans showing up?
Let me Sum Up why Busch Stadium Attendance is so Low
Oh, I can tell you exactly why nobody is showing up or why I booed when certain front office people and coaches were introduced on opening day. Unfortunately, the reason begins and ends with this dude:
The Cardinals posted a brutal 71-91 record in 2023, their worst since 1995. Baseball operations president John Mozeliak promised a turnaround, and while things improved in 2024, the team still missed the playoffs for a second straight year.
Then came the offseason. Expectations were high for a rebuild—or a retool—something bold. But instead, St. Louis made just one free-agent signing, bringing in reliever Phil Maton near the end of spring. There were no headline trades. Thus, no major roster shakeups. Despite Mozeliak’s talk of a “reset,” the club largely stood pat.
Even now, the team sits at 7-8 and fourth in the NL Central. They’ve shown flashes, like Sunday’s series win, but consistency has been elusive. This isn’t a powerhouse roster, and it’s not a youth-fueled rebuild, either. It’s… somewhere in between—and fans are noticing.
To be clear, Cardinals fans haven’t given up. They’re some of the most loyal in sports. But they’re also smart, passionate, and expect a product worth cheering for. Contreras is right: the players feed off the crowd. But the crowd needs something to believe in, too.
So what’s next?
It’s time for ownership to invest, Mozeliak to be something resembling competent, and the club to deliver on the field. The message from fans isn’t silence—it’s a challenge. Give them a team that’s all-in, and they’ll be all-in at Busch Stadium.
Busch Stadium can get loud again—but the spark has to start on the field.
