A pregame ceremony that welcomes home the 2021 St. Louis Cardinals, honors the club’s Hall of Famers and commemorates the great tradition of Opening Day in St. Louis will highlight the annual return of baseball to St. Louis on Thursday, April 8. The Cardinals will open their 2021 home slate against the Milwaukee Brewers at 3:15 PM CT. A pregame schedule and information can be found below and at cardinals.com/OpeningDay to help fans enjoy the unofficial holiday that is #OpeningDaySTL:
Pregame Schedule
12:00 – 12:50 PM Cardinals batting practice (subject to change)
12:55 – 1:50 PM Brewers batting practice (subject to change)
1:00 PM Gates Open
2021 Cardinals Magnet Schedule: All fans, ages 21 and older, will receive a magnet featuring the 2021 Cardinals schedule, compliments of Budweiser.
2:30 PM Pregame ceremonies begin with an appearance by the famous Budweiser Clydesdales.
2:33 PM Lou Brock & Bob Gibson tribute.
2:35 PM Introduction of Cardinals Hall of Famers to centerfield batter’s eye.
2:38 PM Salute to Mike Shannon from KMOX radio booth.
2:40 PM Introduction of Cardinals Chairman and CEO, Bill DeWitt Jr. at home plate.
2:41 PM Introduction of the 2021 St. Louis Cardinals via Ford motorcade. The players will ride in 2021 Ford F-150 Lariat trucks.
2:53 PM Introduction of the Milwaukee Brewers.
2:57 PM Moment of silence
2:58 PM National Anthem performed from centerfield batter’s eye by Dr. Shephali Wulff, an infectious disease specialist with SSM Health in St. Louis.
3:00 PM Cardinals Opening Day video
3:02 PM Ceremonial First Pitch by Cardinals Hall of Fame 3B Scott Rolen to current Cardinals 3B Nolan Arenado
3:15 PM First Pitch
Television Coverage
An extended edition of Cardinals Live pregame begins at 1:30 PM on Bally Sports Midwest and will include live coverage of the pregame ceremonies inside Busch Stadium. Dan McLaughlin and Brad Thompson will call the game, with Jim Hayes and Scott Warmann serving as reporters. Erica Weston and Rick Horton will host from the network’s Ballpark Village studio.
Radio Coverage
Fans can tune into KMOX 1120 AM, 98.7 FM, or one of the 145 stations in the Cardinals Radio Network to hear Mike Shannon and John Rooney call the game. The Ameren Total Access Show starts at 1:40 PM and will include live coverage of the pregame ceremonies inside Busch Stadium.
Fans can tune in locally to WIJR 880 AM “La Tremenda” to hear Cardinals Spanish broadcasters Polo Ascencio and Bengie Molina call the home opener as well.
Online or On The Go
Fans can follow the game for free on cardinals.com using the Gameday application and can keep tabs on the score from their mobile device using the MLB app. The Cardinals home opener, including pregame ceremonies, will be streamed live on the FOX Sports GO app and at FOXSportsGo.com (for consumers who authenticate through their pay-TV service).
Prohibited Items Policy
- Not Permitted: Bags of any size including purses, clutches and wristlets (exceptions for diaper bags with a child and medical bags); backpacks; alcohol; thermoses; coolers; aluminum or glass cans/bottles; commercial camera equipment
- Guests may bring in non-alcoholic beverages in factory-sealed plastic bottles no larger than 2 liters; empty cups/mugs and outside food (guests should consider the club’s bag policy when deciding what food to bring)
- Fans can visit cardinals.com/security for the complete stadium inspection policy and prohibited items list.
2021 Busch Stadium Protocols
To begin the season, up to approximately 32% of capacity will be allowed to attend games at Busch Stadium. A number of policies and protocols have been implemented to ensure the health and safety of fans, employees, and players in 2021, including:
- 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 are not permitted to be brought in to Busch Stadium, except for medical or diaper bags.
- Hand sanitizer: Hand sanitizer dispensers are widely available throughout the ballpark.
- Staff health screenings: All full-time employees and event staff are subject to health and temperature screenings before entering the stadium.
- Cleaning: Busch Stadium’s HVAC systems have been upgraded by replacing filters in the ballpark to MERV 13 to ensure cleaner air in any enclosed spaces. Electrostatic sprayers and EPA registered disinfectants will continue to be utilized to disinfect rooms and surfaces throughout the ballpark.
Frontline Fans
On Opening Day, the Cardinals will launch the Frontline Fans program for the 2021 season in conjunction with MLB’s initiative to provide $1.5 million worth of baseball tickets to local heroes who sustained our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Cardinals will provide complimentary tickets for each Monday-Thursday home game to frontline and essential workers whose roles were crucial in supporting society during health-related shutdowns, starting with Opening Day tickets for a group of healthcare workers from St. Elizabeth Hospital in O’Fallon, IL. These fans will be recognized in-stadium throughout the season for their heroic efforts. The team is working with local partners to identify and distribute tickets to other groups of deserving individuals.
Food Service at Busch Stadium
Delaware North Sportservice, the club’s concessionaire for more than 50 years, is preparing to welcome fans back to Busch Stadium. The following changes have been made to food service throughout the stadium to ensure wellness for guests and minimize physical contact:
- Cashless transactions: Concession locations will only accept credit/debit cards and digital wallet payments (e.g. Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or Google Pay) for payment. Guests can purchase a debit card using cash at all Schnucks Grab ‘N’ Go Markets inside Busch Stadium with no fees. Debit cards are good at any location that accepts credit cards at the ballpark and any retailer outside the stadium.
- Reduced menu: In an effort to reduce transaction times and crowding, menu options have been slimmed down at concession stands. But don’t worry, all of the “Ballpark Favorites” will be available. Specialty menu items are tentatively scheduled to be added back to the menu later this season.
- New P.O.S. system: A new “point of sale” system will allow fans to swipe their own credit or debit cards to finish their concession transactions, allowing staff additional time to get orders to fans faster.
- Grab ‘N’ Go: Additional small Grab ‘N’ Go locations have been added throughout the stadium for fans to quickly purchase snacks and beverages.
- Sipper lids: Sipper lids will replace separate lids and straws for purchased beverages.
- No vendors: Food and beverage vendors will not be present in the seating bowl to start the season.
- Staff protocols: All concession staff will wear masks and associates in point of sale roles with have face shields. Supervisors will be present to ensure safety protocols are being practiced throughout the building.
Additionally, a new large bar featuring full bar service has been added outside Gate 1 along the first base line to give fans even more convenient options to purchase their favorite ballpark beverage.
2021 Opening Day 50/50 Raffle
The Cardinals Care 50/50 Raffle is a chance for fans to test their luck all while making a difference in our community. The drawing for the Opening Day 50/50 Raffle will take place on Sunday, April 11, at the end of the 7th inning during the final game of the first series at Busch Stadium. One lucky winner will take home half of the total pot, while the other half will go to Cardinals Care to help support the Redbird Rookies youth softball and baseball program and our grant program that provides much needed funding to area non-profits that support kids.
Raffle tickets are 200 for $50, 60 for $20, 10 for $10 or 3 for $5. Fans must be 18 years of age or older and be located in the state of Missouri at the time of purchase. To purchase tickets, visit cardinals.com/5050.
