2026 Pricing Adjustment by Cardinals Sparks Humorous Backlash for Insensitivity
St. Louis Cardinals Announce Season-Ticket Price Increase for 2026 Season
The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that they will be increasing their season-ticket prices for the 2026 season by 15%, according to an email sent to the St. Louis radio show "The Morning After" on 101 ESPN. This decision has sparked controversy among fans, as the team's performance on the field has been less than stellar, and attendance has reportedly fallen dramatically.
The Cardinals currently sit 18th in the major leagues in terms of tickets sold, and their payroll is expected to shrink further, despite the price increase. The team has not made any significant efforts to improve the team and put a competitive product on the field. In fact, they have recently traded away players like Ryan Helsley, Steven Matz, and Phil Maton at the trade deadline.
The new season-ticket account policy, which includes restrictions such as limits on resale, transfer rules, and limits on the number of seats controlled, aims to regulate ticket use and maintain team revenue. However, fans are not taking kindly to the decision to increase prices without addressing the team's on-field struggles.
The Cardinals' ownership has reportedly blamed the fanbase for the falling attendance and lack of ticket sales. However, the simplest explanation for the decline in attendance is that the Cardinals aren't winning, causing fans to not spend money to watch them live. The team's current strategy of increasing prices while not improving the team is being seen as ignorant and insulting by fans.
The outlook for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2026 season appears gloomy, as the team is expected to clear approximately $50 million in payroll due to the departure of players like Ryan Helsley, Steven Matz, Phil Maton, Erick Fedde, and potentially Miles Mikolas. The goodwill among fans has significantly decreased over the past couple of seasons, and the price increase may further alienate them.
The Cardinals are requiring season-ticket renewal by Sept. 5, earlier than the normal deadline month of January. This early renewal requirement is part of the new Season Ticket Account Policy, where holders must commit to their 2026 season tickets under updated terms released in July 2025.
Despite the controversy, the Cardinals maintain that the price increase is primarily to reflect the value of the offering and likely rising operational costs. However, fans are left wondering if the team is truly committed to winning and providing a quality product on the field.
[1] St. Louis Cardinals 2026 Season Ticket Account Policy, [link]
- Frustrated fans question the St. Louis Cardinals' priorities, as the team announces a 15% increase in season-ticket prices for the 2026 MLB season, while reportedly showing no significant efforts to improve the team's performance on the baseball diamond.
- Despite the new season-ticket account policy focusing on regulating ticket use and maintaining team revenue, many fans express dissatisfaction with the Cardinals' decision to raise prices for the upcoming baseball season, as the team struggles to maintain a competitive product on the field.
