Busch Stadium opened on April 10, 2006, in the heart of downtown St. Louis, Missouri, as the new home of the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. Designed by Populous (then known as HOK Sport) and built at a cost of approximately $365 million, the 44,383-seat ballpark replaced the former Busch Memorial Stadium that occupied an adjacent site from 1966 to 2005.
From its very first season, Busch Stadium carved its name into baseball history: the Cardinals captured the 2006 World Series, making them the first team in nearly a century to win a championship in the inaugural year of a new ballpark. The stadium went on to host another World Series title in 2011 and the 2009 MLB All-Star Game, establishing itself as one of the premier venues in the sport.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals (MLB)
- Location: 700 Clark Ave, St. Louis, Missouri
- Opened: April 10, 2006
- Capacity: 44,383
- Surface: Bermuda Grass
- Construction Cost: Approximately $365 million
- Notable Fact: World Series title in inaugural 2006 season
Design and Atmosphere
Busch Stadium was designed with a brick-and-steel aesthetic, featuring arched openings reminiscent of the historic warehouses of St. Louis. Its most celebrated characteristic is the outfield view: the city skyline and the iconic Gateway Arch rise majestically beyond the fences, creating one of the most visually distinctive backdrops in all of Major League Baseball.
Open upper-level concourses allow fans to move freely while keeping sightlines to the field, and the venue has been continuously updated since opening. The addition of Ballpark Village in 2014 — a development adjacent to the stadium housing the Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum, dining, and entertainment — extended the ballpark experience into the surrounding downtown blocks.
Memorable Moments Beyond Baseball
Busch Stadium has proven to be a versatile venue far beyond the baseball diamond. On January 2, 2017, it hosted the NHL Winter Classic, with the St. Louis Blues welcoming the Chicago Blackhawks before a crowd of approximately 46,556 — a venue record for hockey. A U2 concert during the 360° Tour drew an estimated 52,273 attendees, the largest crowd in the stadium’s history.
International soccer also found a home here when Manchester City faced Chelsea in May 2013 before more than 48,000 fans. These events, layered on top of two World Series championships (2006 and 2011) and the 2009 MLB All-Star Game, reflect a stadium that has become a true anchor for major events in the American Midwest.
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Busch Stadium FAQs
When did the current Busch Stadium open?
The current Busch Stadium — sometimes called Busch Stadium III — opened on April 10, 2006, when the St. Louis Cardinals hosted the Milwaukee Brewers in the first official MLB game at the facility.
What is the seating capacity of Busch Stadium?
Busch Stadium has a capacity of 44,383, reduced from its original approximately 46,700 seats following renovations completed around 2018 that added social spaces such as the Budweiser Terrace.
Has Busch Stadium hosted events other than Cardinals baseball?
Yes. The stadium has hosted the 2009 MLB All-Star Game, the 2017 NHL Winter Classic (Blues vs. Blackhawks), international soccer matches, and major concerts including U2’s 360° Tour, which drew the largest crowd in the venue’s history at around 52,273.
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Photo: Lightmetro / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.