Two former Cardinals All-Stars break quiet on St. Louis’ record-low attendance in 2025 first appeared on The Sporting News.
The St. Louis Cardinals have a long history of devoted fans. However, in 2025, the Cardinals have failed to fill Busch Stadium.
In the first 15 years of the twenty-first century, St. Louis made the playoffs 11 times and won the World Series. Since then, the Cardinals have made the playoffs four times in the previous decade, but have not returned since 2022.
Two long-time Cardinals players and past All-Stars recently spoke out about why they feel fans would not be attending games by 2025.
Holliday, Lynn Give their Perspective on St. Louis’ Low Attendance
Matt Holliday, a seven-time All-Star outfielder, and Lance Lynn, a two-time All-Star pitcher, each spent eight and seven years with the Cardinals throughout their MLB careers.
St. Louis’ record-low attendance this season is difficult to witness for former players, but Lynn provided some insight into why the numbers are so low in 2025.
“I would tell you that it’s a couple different things: non contending, kind of over it, disgusted it a little bit with the way the organization’s kind of gone about this season, I would say, of not really adding or anything like that, and subtracting at the deadline and schools back in session,” said Lynn. “So, when you combine all of them at this time of year, you won’t have supporters in the stands. It doesn’t matter who you are or how big your fan base is.”
Everything Lynn mentioned adds up. The Cardinals haven’t made the playoffs in three years, and they haven’t signed any new studs to help them get back there.
Holliday concurred with Lynn, adding that it’s difficult to see Busch Stadium so empty.
“You’re not used to seeing highlights or a game in St. Louis and seeing that many empty seats. As Lance mentioned, I believe the fan base has not decreased or evaporated,” Holliday added. “I just believe that, you know, people are a little disappointed because it’s been a few years and they don’t feel like there’s been a genuine chance, I guess, to win a World Series.
“Despite the organization’s announcement that there would be a transition phase and a rebuild, reload, or whatever. I believe that fans want to go to significant games, and it has been a problem in recent years.
Through 73 home games this season, the Cardinals have averaged 27,834 spectators per game. Except for the COVID-19 season, this is the lowest mark recorded since 1995.
Fans are clearly dissatisfied with the Cardinals’ on-field performance, which is now harming the team’s ability to fill seats.
