SPORTS CENTERS

from Relocating in Saint Louis 2021

secondary education

SPORTS HEAVEN

St. Louis: A Community Built On Sports

By Julia Johns and Ashley McGoff In St. Louis, sports are the way of life. Everyone is a fan, and all St. Louisans are united by that passion. Our teams give us something in common, but we are more than just fellow fans: we are a family. When you are surrounded by thousands of friends, each game becomes a powerful, shared experience, and it is this phenomenon that makes St. Louis a destination in the world of sports. This would not be possible, however, without our world-class facilities. The Enterprise Center—a modern, 12-story glass and concrete building—ranks among the top arenas in the country. Hosting about 175 events per year and attracting two million annual guests, it is a great source of pride in the city. Most importantly though, the Enterprise Center is the home of the St. Louis Blues—otherwise known as the 2019 Stanley Cup Champions. Since 1994, die-hard Blues fans have packed the arena, and after decades of unwavering support, they were rewarded. On June 12, 2019, the Blues

Enterprise Center, home of the St. Louis Blues hockey team. Photography courtesy of the St. Louis Blues

Photography by @Originaldante

earned their first Stanley Cup. Their journey brought St. Louis together like never before. Hundreds of thousands of fans flooded the streets in support with the Enterprise Center serving as the hub of the uncontainable excitement. Often the source of its own fanfare is Busch Stadium, the home of the 11-time World Series Champions the St. Louis Cardinals. Opened in 2006, the retro-style downtown ballpark is majestic and distinct. Yet its red brick exterior still fits in with the surrounding buildings because it’s not just a great ballpark: it’s a St. Louis ballpark. Busch seats more than 46,000 and on any given day, is packed with a sea of red-clad fans. Spend just one day here, and you’ll learn why we are, in fact, the Best Fans In Baseball. And if nothing else, then you can take in the view; beyond the outfield, the stadium frames the stunning downtown St. Louis skyline and Gateway Arch. Located across the street is Ballpark Village. All St. Louis

sports teams and fans have a home in this sports-anchored, mixed-use district. There is a lot to explore and experience, but it is centered around several one-of-a-kind attractions. If you’d like to indulge in our distinguished baseball history, you can visit the Cardinals Nation Museum and Hall of Fame; it’s worthwhile considering few franchises can rival the acclaim and heritage of the St. Louis Cardinals. Then, you can see how baseball past, present and future have been united by visiting Busch II Infield. Here, fans can walk on the old ballpark’s diamond: the same ground where legends have played ball. Once you’re finished surveying history, you can visit the Budweiser Brew House, a three-level venue dedicated to food, beer and friends. Whether you’re looking for indoor or outdoor dining, nightlife or a magnificent rooftop view of Busch Stadium, the Brew House has it all. If it’s game day for the Cardinals or Blues, however, then you must visit FOX Sports Midwest Live!, the core of Ballpark Village. Featuring a 1,200-square-foot HDTV, this two-level plaza offers the best watch parties in the country. Throughout Ballpark Village, there are additional bar, dining and entertainment options with even more to come. Still being developed is a Class-A office building; a luxury residential tower, One Cardinal Way; a Live! by Loews hotel and further retail, restaurant and entertainment space. Without a doubt, Ballpark Village is the city’s most significant development in a decade because it’s well on its way to becoming one

Ballpark Village. Photography by Emmanuel Jenkins

of the most unique urban neighborhoods in the country. Not to mention, Ballpark Village is within walking distance of museums, the new Arch riverfront and more. All within a few city blocks, Ballpark Village gives you a celebration of sports and the spirit of St. Louis. Fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Major League Soccer in St. Louis. Slated to begin play in 2023, the St. Louis City SC is the newest addition to the lineup of professional sports in the area. A new sleek and modern stadium will house the team, which is expected to seat 22,500 fans. The stadium is designed with fans in mind, as every seat will be within 120 feet of the pitch.

New Major League Soccer stadium located in downtown St. Louis, 2023. Rendering courtesy of St. Louis City SC.