Busch Stadium III

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Lore & Background

The naming tradition dates back to 1953 when Sportsman's Park was renamed Busch Stadium by team owner August Busch Jr., who originally intended to call it Budweiser Stadium but faced league rules prohibiting alcohol-related names at the time. Decades later, in 2004, Anheuser-Busch president August Busch IV announced the purchase of 20-year naming rights for the new facility. Team owner William DeWitt Jr. emphasized their commitment to tradition, stating, "From the day we began planning for the new ballpark, we wanted to keep the name 'Busch Stadium.'" The project was financed through private bonds, bank loans, a long-term loan from St. Louis County, and team funds, with construction costs rising from an estimated $344.8 million to a final total of $365 million.

In Their Own Story

The new stadium hosted its first exhibition on April 4, 2006, where the Springfield Cardinals defeated the Memphis Redbirds 5–3, with right-hander Mike Parisi recording the first win. The first major league game followed six days later on April 10, as the Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6–4, powered by an Albert Pujols home run and a pitching performance from Mark Mulder. That debut season saw every single Cardinal game sell out, drawing a total attendance of 3,407,104 fans. Years later, on August 6, 2022, the stadium witnessed its largest crowd with 48,581 spectators watching a tight 1–0 victory over the New York Yankees.

Reader's Guide

Visitors enter a venue designed by Populous (then HOK Sport) with Jim Chibnall as the senior project designer. The stadium features natural grass turf installed in March 2006 and an integrated LED video system from Daktronics, including a massive display measuring 32 feet high by 52 feet wide. Seating includes a field level with 16,880 seats, a terrace level with 9,150, and bleachers holding 3,661 fans. When fully utilized with suites, party rooms, and up to 2,886 standing-room tickets, the total capacity reaches 46,861. The complex also includes 3,706 club seats and 61 luxury suites, offering a modern experience rooted in local history.

Did You Know?

• The first official regular-season win at Busch Stadium III went to the Cardinals on April 10, 2006, with winning pitcher Jason Marquis.
• Busch Stadium III is the third venue in St. Louis history to bear the Busch name, following Sportsman's Park (1953) and Busch Memorial Stadium.
• The 2006 World Series clincher saw the Cardinals defeat the Detroit Tigers 4 games to 1 on October 27, securing their 10th title.
• A record crowd of 48,699 attended a game against the Chicago Cubs on July 31, 2022.
• The stadium's LED video display measures 32 feet high by 52 feet wide.

Origins and Naming Legacy

It is the third stadium in St. Louis to carry the name Busch Stadium. Sportsman's Park was renamed Busch Stadium in 1953; then-team owner August Busch Jr. had planned to name it Budweiser Stadium, but league rules prohibited naming a venue after an alcoholic beverage. In 2004, Anheuser-Busch president August Busch IV announced the purchase of 20-year naming rights for the new stadium. Team owner William DeWitt Jr. stated that from the day planning began, they wanted to keep the name 'Busch Stadium.'

Development and Architectural Design

In 1995, ownership began lobbying for a new ballpark in downtown St. Louis. After a funding bill was struck down in May 2002, the city of St. Louis drafted a financing plan. The stadium was financed through private bonds, bank loans, a long-term loan from St. Louis County, and money from team owners. Designed by Populous (then HOK Sport) with Jim Chibnall as senior project designer and built by Hunt Construction, the final cost was $365 million. It has a seating capacity of 44,383, including 3,706 club seats and 61 luxury suites. An integrated LED video system from Daktronics features a display measuring 32 feet high by 52 feet wide.

Inaugural Games and Early Success

The stadium opened on April 4, 2006, with an exhibition where the Springfield Cardinals defeated the Memphis Redbirds 5–3. The first major league game occurred on April 10, 2006, as the Cardinals defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 6–4 behind an Albert Pujols home run and winning pitcher Mark Mulder. In the debut season, every Cardinal game was sold out, totaling 3,407,104 in attendance.

Championship Moments and Record Crowds

In 2006, the Cardinals hosted Games 3, 4, and 5 of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers, winning all three at home to clinch their 10th championship with a 4–2 victory on October 27. The largest attendance for a baseball game occurred August 6, 2022, when 48,581 fans watched a 1–0 Cardinals victory over the New York Yankees.