St. Louis Cardinals on Track for Lowest Attendance in 30 Years
The St. Louis Cardinals are facing a potential milestone they’d rather avoid: their lowest season attendance since 1995.
Through 65 home games in 2025, the team has sold 1,873,875 tickets, averaging 28,829 per game. If this pace continues, total attendance will finish near 2.34 million — well below the 2.6 million mark they’ve reached in every non-pandemic season for the past three decades.
The last time the team posted a lower figure was 1995, a season shortened by a players’ strike. Even then, their attendance projected higher than what they’re currently trending toward.
Recent attendance struggles were especially evident during a home series against the New York Yankees, when the team averaged just over 30,000 fans per game despite the Yankees’ national appeal. The season’s lowest turnout so far came on April 2, when only 20,309 attended a game against the Los Angeles Angels. Weather played a part in both instances, but on-field performance is also a major factor.
Since the retirements of Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, the Cardinals have hovered around .500 and missed the postseason in 2023 and 2024. They have just one playoff series win in the past decade. This season, ownership has embraced a youth-focused roster with reduced payroll as part of a front-office transition that will see Chaim Bloom take over as president of baseball operations in 2026.
Fan frustration has been evident — from declining attendance to boos aimed at team executives during the 2025 home opener. Team officials acknowledge the challenge ahead. “Fans have a right to voice their pleasure or displeasure,” said Joe Strohm, VP of ticket sales. “We have to earn them back.”
Small attendance boosts have occurred during special events, like a recent series against the Cubs featuring a guest coaching appearance by Yadier Molina. Some believe promoting top prospect JJ Wetherholt before season’s end could provide another spark, though the team has yet to decide on his call-up.
Long-term solutions will likely come down to whether Bloom maintains the current rebuild approach or invests in proven talent to restore the team’s competitive edge — and rekindle fan excitement.
The Cardinals, currently 63-65, begin a road series against the Tampa Bay Rays before returning home to face the Pittsburgh Pirates. The regular season ends Sept. 28 against the Chicago Cubs.
About the Author
