Busch Stadium To Allow Fans For 2021 Season

CBS St. Louis

March 04, 2021

When the regular season kicks off across Major League Baseball, Cardinal fans will once again be able to see their team in person. Following discussions between the organization and St. Louis City officials, the decision was made to allow 32% capacity inside Busch Stadium. Thanks to declining infection and positivity rates, more than 14,000 fans will be able to attend home games, albeit with a requirement to wear masks and socially distance. “We are excited to have our fans back in the stands for the upcoming season,” said team president Bill DeWitt III in a release. “We thank Mayor Lyda Krewson’s office, Health Director Dr. Fredrick Echols, and the City of St. Louis Health Department for partnering with us to develop a comprehensive reopening plan that complies with all City health directives and the League’s Return-to-Play Protocols.”

The policies in place for the 2021 season are:

• Socially-distanced seating: Guests will be seated in pods of four or less with a minimum distance of 6-feet between seating pods in all directions.
• Masks required: Masks will be required at all times in all areas of the stadium, including the seating bowl, unless guests are actively eating and drinking.
• Mobile-only ticketing: All game tickets will be delivered via the MLB Ballpark app, ensuring a touchless entry into the ballpark.
• Cashless transactions: Concession stands, kiosks and other retail transactions made in the stadium will be cashless and only offer credit and debit payment options. Debit cards will be available for purchase using cash with no service fees at a limited number of locations inside the stadium.
• Designated entry gates: Guests will be directed to enter and exit the stadium through one of six designated entry gates to expedite the process and limit crowding at any one entrance. A designated entry gate will be noted on each ticket. Guests will not be permitted to exit and re-enter the stadium
• Bags not permitted: To reduce contamination and ensure touchless entry, bags will not be permitted to be brought in to Busch Stadium, except for medical or diaper bags.
• Hand sanitizer: Hand sanitizer dispensers will be widely available throughout the ballpark.
• Staff health screenings: All full-time employees and event staff will be subject to health and temperature screenings before entering the stadium.
Fans coming back to the stadium will mean business for restaurants and bars in the area. Tom Gullickson, co-owner of 1860 Saloon, said a home game has a huge impact on businesses in Soulard. He said they've been running shuttle buses to games for years.
"We've been surviving any way we can." Gullickson said.
He said they're willing to bring shuttles back if ticket holders want them.