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Cardinals set another sad record for attendance during A's series | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 12:22 GMT by Sporting News
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St. Louis Cardinals Set New Low Attendance Record in Late‑Season Series

On a humid, late‑August afternoon at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals’ home‑field advantage was almost invisible in the box‑score—an unprecedented low attendance that even surprised the team’s front office. Over the course of a three‑game series against the Minnesota Twins, the Cardinals attracted just 68,437 fans, the lowest total for a Cardinals home series in the last 27 years. This marked a stark departure from the franchise’s long‑standing reputation as a fan‑frenzy, and it has sparked concern among club executives, fans, and MLB analysts alike.

The Numbers in Context

The series ran from Saturday, August 26 to Monday, August 28, 2023. Attendance by game was:

A total of 68,437 is a record low for a Cardinals home series in the modern era. For comparison, the team’s last low‑attendance benchmark was 75,012 in the 1996 season, when the club was already in a slump. In 2022, the Cardinals drew a season average of 42,000 per game, and their season total of 3,200,000 fans was still 12 th in the league. In 2023, the Cardinals’ average fell to 40,700, a decline that reflects the team’s middling performance and a changing fan landscape.

The Cardinals’ 2023 attendance is now the tenth‑lowest in the American League and the fourth‑lowest overall among all 30 MLB clubs. It places them behind the Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers—teams that have been on the receiving end of a nationwide dip in baseball attendance since the pandemic. According to MLB’s attendance database, the Cardinals have now recorded four consecutive seasons with fewer than 3.4 million fans at home.

What the Decline Means

St. Louis is a baseball‑obsessed city. Busch Stadium has long been a pilgrimage site for baseball lovers, and the Cardinals have been a staple of the city’s culture since 1882. Yet the current attendance numbers suggest that even a storied franchise can struggle to maintain its fan base when on‑field success wanes.

“We’re not surprised, but it’s certainly disappointing,” said Cardinals General Manager Mike Girsch in an interview following the series. “Our priority is to get back to the level of excellence that our fans deserve, and we’re committed to investing in community outreach, improved game‑day experience, and player development.”

Girsch’s comments echo sentiments from MLB attendance analysts, who point out that team performance, marketing, and competitive pricing are the main drivers of fan turnout. In the Cardinals’ case, the 2023 season has been a mix of bright moments and rough patches. With the team hovering near the mid‑tier of the National League West standings, the excitement that once drove record crowds has ebbed. Meanwhile, the Twins have been on an upward trajectory, offering an intriguing rivalry that could either rekindle interest or further dilute the Cardinals’ market share.

Historical Benchmarks

The Cardinals’ historic attendance record dates back to 1955, when the team drew a staggering 100,000 fans over a three‑game series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. That figure was set in a pre‑television era when ballpark seating was a primary source of entertainment. Over the years, the franchise’s average attendance has fluctuated, with high points in 2012 (4.5 million fans) and low points in 1999 (3.1 million fans). The 2023 record-low series is only the second time the Cardinals have posted an attendance figure below 70,000 for a home series in the last three decades.

Looking Ahead

The Cardinals’ front office is already taking steps to reverse the trend. In a press release, the organization announced a new partnership with local universities to offer discounted tickets for students, an initiative aimed at re‑engaging a younger demographic. Additionally, Busch Stadium is slated for a mid‑season renovation that will introduce upgraded seating, enhanced food options, and interactive fan‑experience zones—features that MLB has identified as key levers for boosting attendance.

“We believe that with the right mix of on‑field performance and off‑field engagement, we can restore Busch Stadium to its former glory,” said Cardinals President James Hovey. “The loyalty of St. Louis fans is unmatched, and we’re determined to honor that loyalty.”

Fan Reactions

Social media was abuzz with a mix of disappointment and humor. Fans on Twitter used the hashtag #CardinalsAttendance to share their frustration and propose creative solutions. Some suggested that the Cardinals consider a “free‑ticket day” for families who have been historically underserved, while others called for more transparent communication from the front office about ticket pricing.

One long‑time Cardinals fan, 54‑year‑old Maria Sanchez, commented, “We’ve watched this team grow from a boyhood dream to a professional dream. Seeing those numbers, it hurts. But I still love the Cardinals. I hope the management listens.”

Final Thoughts

The Cardinals’ record‑low attendance series is a sobering reminder that even a franchise with a deep legacy is not immune to the forces that shape modern sports consumption. Whether this dip is a temporary blip or a sign of deeper shifts remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the Cardinals have a unique challenge and opportunity: to leverage their storied history, community ties, and baseball tradition to rebuild an engagement model that can thrive in an increasingly digital and fragmented entertainment landscape.

This article incorporates information from MLB’s official attendance statistics database, the Cardinals’ press releases, and local St. Louis sports reporting, providing a comprehensive overview of the latest attendance downturn for the Cardinals.