ST. LOUIS – At long last, Opening Day in St. Louis is almost here.
The 2025 St. Louis Cardinals home opener is set for Thursday against the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium. First pitch is set for 3:15 p.m.
Tens of thousands are expected to gather around Downtown St. Louis to celebrate. Upwards of 48,000 fans could pack the stadium. Many others may enjoy the festivities from Ballpark Village, local sports bars or other destinations around downtown.
Even if you’re not planning to attend the game, there is plenty to enjoy around Opening Day. Here’s FOX 2’s guide on what to know and expect…
Tickets and how to watch
If you’d like to see the home opener in-person, some tickets are still available. Tickets start at $84 before fees on the Cardinals’ website or $74 before fees on Ticketmaster.
If you’re unable to attend the home opener or festivities, you can catch the action on FanDuel Sports Network Midwest. There will be an extended pregame special that includes some interviews to start, then later moves into live coverage of pregame ceremonies at Busch Stadium. Pregame coverage begins at 1:30 p.m.
To find a cable or subscription service that uses FanDuel Sports Network Midwest near you, click here. You can also listen to the action on the radio through 1120 KMOX in the St. Louis area.
The matchup
The Cardinals will host the Minnesota Twins for their home opener for the first time in franchise history. Both teams just finished narrowly above .500 last season and missed out on the postseason.
Thursday’s pitching matchup will be Sonny Gray (13-9, 3.84 ERA in 2024) vs. Pablo Lopez (15-10, 4.10 ERA in 2024). Former Cardinal Harrison Bader will be participating in his first Opening Day at Busch Stadium as an opponent.
The manager matchup will be Oli Marmol (fourth season) vs. Rocco Baldelli (seventh season). Also of historical context, this is a matchup of 1987 World Series opponents and only the Cardinals’ second home opener matchup with an American League opponent.
The weather
Thursday’s weather could be a little tricky for Opening Day, but current forecasts suggest rain should hold off during game time. Showers are possible in the morning and after the game, but for how long and to what extent remains to be determined.
Temperatures could fluctuate anywhere between the low 50s and low 70s. If you plan to venture outdoors for the game or events around it, bring gloves and hats and dress in layers as desired. As of now, the Cardinals do not anticipate any schedule changes to Opening Day festivities.
Opening Day pep rally
Celebrations begin early at Ballpark Village and Kiener Plaza. Fans will have a chance to enjoy the Ballpark Village pep rally from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and the Kiener Plaza pep rally from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.
BALLPARK VILLAGE
This pep rally is free for anyone to attend. Fredbird, Team Fredbird, DJ Todd Thomas, Cardinals organist Dwayne Hilton, Cardinals Alumni and others will take the stage at the Together Credit Union Plaza. Guests should expect music, food and drink concessions, and possible opportunities to win Cardinals tickets and other prizes.
KIENER PLAZA
This pep rally is also free for anyone to attend. Join FOX 2 and KPLR 11, along with our partners, Y98 and 102.5 KEZK, as we co-host pregame festivities. Fans will have a chance to enjoy giveaways, food, and fun for all ages.
Timeline of pregame ceremonies
Important message for anyone attending the ballgame and wanting to experience it all: Give yourself extra time to get around Downtown St. Louis and into Busch Stadium. Make sure you are in your seats by 2:30 at the latest. That time is approximately when Busch Stadium’s pregame ceremonies will begin. Gates will open at noon in anticipation of a large crowd.
Pregame ceremonies begin with the Budweiser Clydesdales, as per tradition, making the opening lap around the field. Ownership team members Bill DeWitt Jr. and Bill DeWitt III, along with lead executive John Mozeliak, will head to the field for introductions after that.
Just after 2:30 p.m., the Cardinals will welcome several St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame members in red jackets. All members will be escorted in a Ford convertible motorcade.
Around 2:50 p.m., the Cardinals will begin player introductions. The Cardinals coaching staff and players will ride out in a Ford motorcade in similar fashion to the Hall of Famers. Players in the starting lineup will be introduced after the coaches, bench players and bullpen arms. The expected starting battery of Sonny Gray and Iván Herrera will likely use that time to warm up in the bullpen, but everyone else will be introduced as they get out of their vehicles.
The Minnesota Twins will be announced after the Cardinals, likely right around 3 p.m.
After the player introductions, GRAMMY Award winner and St. Louis native Lloyd Nicks will perform the National Anthem, along with a color guard presentation from the Ft. Leonard Wood Joint Service Color Guard.
Both teams will be ready for action quickly after that. Sonny Gray will deliver the first pitch around 3:15 p.m.
Batting practice
Unlike many games throughout the season, ticketed fans will be allowed into the ballpark nearly three hours ahead of game time for a chance to walk around the stadium and watch the Cardinals in batting practice. The Twins will take batting practice after the Cardinals.
The Cardinals’ batting practice is currently planned from 12:05-12:55 p.m. The Twins’ session is scheduled for 1-1:50 p.m.
One of the best spots to watch batting practice is the outfield bleachers for a chance to catch a home run ball. The section below Big Mac Land is a popular spot for right-handed hitters to hit a big fly that fans might be able to catch. Also check for viewing spots near Freese’s Landing in centerfield, around the bullpens and the right-field foul pole.
Gates open at noon for anyone wanting to see batting practice, walk around or get to their seats early.
Parking/Transportation
If you venture downtown, be prepared for a bit of a walk to Busch Stadium. Though the Ballpark Village lot is a popular close option, it will likely be unavailable for most come Thursday.
Some other nearby options include the Starr parking lot under Interstate 64 along 7th Street, garages near Kiener Plaza and Union Station. Check out Parkopedia.com for a closer look at options.
Rideshares will drop off and pick up on the east side of the stadium on Broadway near Spruce Street or on the west side of the stadium on Spruce Street near the Westin Hotel.
Additionally, there will be several MetroLink stations and more than a dozen MetroBus routes serving downtown St. Louis on Thursday. For the MetroLink, red-line and blue-line stops will be open for access to the ballpark.
Cardinals roster
The Cardinals plan to use the following 26-man roster to open the 2025 season…
CATCHERS
- Iván Herrera
- Pedro Pagés
INFIELDERS
- Nolan Arenado
- Luken Baker
- Willson Contreras
- Nolan Gorman
- Masyn Winn
INFIELDERS/OUTFIELDERS
- Alec Burleson
- Brendan Donovan
OUTFIELDERS
- Lars Nootbaar
- Victor Scott II
- Michael Siani
- Jordan Walker
STARTING PITCHERS
- Erick Fedde
- Sonny Gray
- Matthew Liberatore
- Miles Mikolas
- Andre Pallante
RELIEF PITCHERS
- Ryan Fernandez
- Ryan Helsley
- John King
- Kyle Leahy
- Phil Maton
- Steve Matz
- JoJo Romero
- Chris Roycroft
What else to know
The Cardinals say that all concession stands, kiosks, and other retail transactions made at Busch Stadium are cashless. You can pay through debit or credit cards or Cardinals Cash on the MLB mobile app.
Ticketed fans may bring in bags, purses and soft-sided coolers no larger than 10” x 8” x 10.” Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages in factory-sealed plastic bottles no larger than 2 liters are also allowed. Several other non-essential items are prohibited. Click here for a list of prohibited items.
Ticketed fans for the home opener will receive a magnet with the 2025 Cardinals schedule on it.
The Cardinals have revamped their food game this season with two new vendors (Mayo Ketchup and Crumbl Cookies), along with a significant change to the ballpark food scene near centerfield. Three vendors (Intentional Wok, The Outfield Grill and Freddy’s) now share a large concession station near the Ford Plaza.
The Cardinals are 77-65-1 all-time in their home opener matchups, having won four of their last five and six of their last nine, according to Baseball Almanac.
FOX 2 will have on-air coverage from Busch Stadium in the morning, afternoon and evening hours. Also keep an eye on our website and social media channels for digital content. Play ball!