Shaded and Covered Seating at Busch Stadium

​Shaded Seats at Busch Stadium

In the Early Afternoon

Busch Stadium is well known as one of the hottest stadiums in Major League Baseball. Especially during July and August temperatures can rise above 100 degrees for afternoon games. The Cardinals have a number of 12:45 and 1:15 games where finding shade is an important ingredient for a fun day at the park.

When the sun is straight overhead, it will be important to choose seats that are under the roof or one of the generous overhangs. The back portions of sections 128-140 and 160-167 are designed with shade in mind and will keep you cool - even on the warmest days. Fans will also find relief in the back half of Infield Club sections 240-260, left field porch seats and the top rows of the upper deck under the stadium roof.

Best Seats in the Shade

Fans looking for shaded seats that are also great seats have two primary options. The first is to choose seats in the highest rows of lower infield sections 148-153 behind home plate. There aren't many seats in the shade here, but the few will have a great view of the field and instant access to the concourse. Another option is to sit in Redbird Club seats in the 200 level. About half of these seats will be covered for an early afternoon game and all ticketholders will have access to the indoor (and air-conditioned) club lounge.

Avoid Sitting in Rows Close to the Field

The biggest mistake fans make when buying tickets on a hot day is jumping at the opportunity to sit in one of the rows closest to the field. If you can handle the sun and the heat, you might end up with a pretty good deal. But keep in mind that the seats in the lower bowl won't see any shade until at least late afternoon, by which time you may have already burnt to a crisp.

Events After 3:00

Although rare, the Cardinals do have some 3:05 PM games on their schedule. These games are always the most difficult to predict where the shade will be because the sun falls behind the third base side of the stadium - providing relief for some seats but also heavily blinding seats that may have been previously out of the sun.

Choosing seats on the third base side of the field is your best bet for finding the protection you're looking for. Upper level seats, club level seats and even lower level seats will begin to see shade as the late afternoon gives way to the evening.

As with 1:00 games, the best shaded seats will be on the club level. At this time of day, almost all Redbird Club seats will be shaded for the entirety of the game (and if they're not protected early, they will be eventually). You'll also have access to the indoor club lounge, amenities, and an exclusive menu. If you're looking for something closer to the field, try seats in sections 152-158. While only a few of the rows here will be shaded at 3:00, you'll find that most rows will see relief by the middle innings.

Knowing Which Seats to Avoid

Knowing which seats to avoid for late afternoon and evening games is almost as important as knowing where to sit. For instance, rows 20 and above in sections 128-130 are well covered and into the shade for 1:00 games. But by 5 or 6:00, these seats are heavily exposed to the sun and your cover will do no good to stop it. You'll want to avoid these seats and pretty much everything else that ends in 33 or lower on all stadium levels (example: avoid 433 and 431, but 437 is OK). Many of these seats will be out of the sun, cool early, and quickly become a magnet for the sun's rays.

Finally, you'll want to avoid the outfield bleacher seats in sections 101-111 and 189-197. These metal benches can get extremely hot during a summer afternoon, and the sections themselves offer little to no protection from the sun or other elements.

Covered Seats at Busch Stadium

When finding covered seats at Busch Stadium, the left and right field corners are great spots to secure a comfortable and more sheltered viewing experience. In particular, sections 128-140 (rows 21 and above) and 160-167 (rows 20 and above) provide covered seating on this level.

For those seeking a higher level of comfort and luxury, the club level at Busch Stadium is an ideal choice. Sections 241-257, starting from row 9 and above are covered seats with added amenities and perks. Fans can enjoy the game with access to the indoor concourse, upscale food and beverage, and protection overhead.

The 400 Level at Busch Stadium also offers covered seats if you want a more affordable option. Starting from row 6 and above, fans in these sections enjoy a panoramic view of the field while staying sheltered. Additionally, sections 361-372 rows 8 and above are recommended.

Fan Comments

• Upper Deck: 454 through 434 should be in the shade during a day game.

  Submitted by a Fan

• Field Boxes: 172 through 152 should be in the shade. 151 through 127 will be in the sun for a day game.

  Submitted by a Fan

• They were in the shade for an afternoon game.

  Submitted by a Fan · Section 253
  Also, close to food court and restrooms.

• I sat in 430 row 3 it was shady and awesome.

  Submitted by a Fan · 430, Row 3

• Nice on the 100 degree day we were there because of the breeze.

  Submitted by a Fan · Section 372, Row 14
  My seats were in row 14 (top row of the stadium) and were nice on the 100 degree day we were there because of the breeze. For $17,on a Family Sunday and each ticket came with a soda and a hotdog, it was well worth it. The only real problem was not being able to see the plays in left field. We went to a 1:15pm game and we were in the shade the entire time. If you want a good experience for a little money these are the seats to get.

• Sit in the 200 Level For Seats in the Shade at Busch Stadium

  Submitted by a Fan
  In the summer, Busch Stadium is one of the hottest ballparks in MLB. Shallow seating rows make finding seats in the shade somewhat difficult. In the lower level, choose seats in the last few rows. The 200 level is well-protected, especially on the infield. In the upper deck, the third base side is the best side for shade. If you are sensitive to the sun, avoid all outfield seating at Busch Stadium during afternoon and evening games.

• Front of sections 142-158 are behind the netting

  Submitted by a Fan
  There is some amount of netting or screening in front of sections 142-158. The height and coverage of netting or screening will vary by section.

Related Photos From Busch Stadium

Related Questions

• How are seats in Sec 139 Row 21 at Busch Stadium?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · February 7, 2013

  One of the the best things about these seats is that you will have a good view of the arch (which will be slightly towards your right as you look to center field from these seats).

  

  In addition, these seats are likely to be in the shade for the whole game so you can beat the heat.

  You will not be on top of the field because there are lettered rows in front of numbered rows in this section (so row 21 is really like row 30). But this means you will have a fairly short walk to the concourse and will not have to fight the sun.

• Where is Homer's Landing at Busch Stadium?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · May 18, 2013

  
  Homer's Landing is located behind Sections 101-105, just to the right of straight-away center field. Given its perched location in the outfield, you will not be able to see all of the outfield. In particular, balls hit to the warning track will be difficult to see.
  

  

  
  At Busch Stadium, Row A is always the first row in each section. You will enjoy all-inclusive food and beverage from a shaded seat in center-field.
  

  

  Photo Credit: aviewfrommyseat.com user BadAndy

• Where are the best seats for a pregnant woman at Busch Stadium?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · September 12, 2013

  The best seating options in the shade at Busch Stadium will be either on the second tier of the stadium and along the 3rd base side, or at the back of the 100 sections between third base and the left field foul pole.

  The Redbird Club seats on the third base side (sections 253-257) will be a great option in the back rows (opt for rows 8 and higher) as they will be out of the sun and also give you access to the climate controlled Redbird Club lounge, where you can go to watch the game through the glass in the event it gets too hot.

  Other good options can be found in the last rows of sections 160-163 (the back of sections 160 is one of the best for shade). The last 5 rows in these sections are rows 24-28, which is what we recommend for staying out of the sun as they will have better protection from the overhanging seating deck above.

  

  
  

• Are there any covered seats at Busch Stadium?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · October 7, 2013

  Redbird Club Seats

  

  The Redbird Club seats on the third base side (sections 253-257) will be a great option in the back rows (opt for rows 8 and higher) as they will be partially covered by the seating deck above, but more importantly give you access to the climate controlled Redbird Club lounge, where you can go to watch the match through the glass windows of the lounge should the weather begin to turn.

  Best Lower Level Covered Seating Options

  

  Other good options can be found in the last rows of sections 160-163 (the back of section 160 is one of the best for protection from the rain in this area of the stadium). The last 5 rows in these sections are rows 24-28, which is what we recommend for staying out of the weather as they will have better protection from the overhanging seating deck above.

  The Left Field Porch is Entirely Covered

  

  Another great option for being safe from the rain will be the left field porch sections (see Sections LP1, LP2, and LP3 on our Cardinals Interactive seating chart), as these seats are entirely covered by the seating deck located just above.

• Is there shade for Coca-Cola Scoreboard Patio seats at Busch Stadium?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · April 11, 2014

  There will be very little shade in the Coca Cola Scoreboard patio at Busch Stadium. The seats face towards the West, and with no overhanging structure, this area will see some of the longest exposure to the sun.

  
  

  The food and beverage stations are located under cover and will have ample shade available, but from the viewing area there will very little protection from the sun during a day game at Busch Stadium.

  
  

  
  These seats are further from home plate than most sections at the ballpark, so binoculars would be a nice option to have, but are not absolutely necessary. You will be able to follow all the action around the infield and outfield, but pinpointing the exact position where a pitch crossed home plate will be difficult. For a view from these seats, you can visit the Cardinals 360 Views page and open the link for the Coca-Cola Scoreboard Patio.
  
  

• Where is the shade for an early afternoon game at Busch Stadium?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · May 26, 2014

  The best seating options in the shade at Busch Stadium will be either on the second tier of the stadium and along the 3rd base side, or at the back of the 100 sections between third base and the left field foul pole. The Redbird Club seats on the third base side (sections 253-257) will be a great option in the back rows (opt for rows 8 and higher) as they will be out of the sun and also give you access to the climate controlled Redbird Club lounge, where you can go to watch the game through the glass in the event it gets too hot. Other good options can be found in the last rows of sections 160-163 (the back of sections 160 is one of the best for shade). The last 5 rows in these sections are rows 24-28, which is what we recommend for staying out of the sun as they will have better protection from the overhanging seating deck above.

  

• Is Section 134B Row 29 under an overhang at Busch Stadium?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · October 5, 2014

  Row 29 is the last row of seating in Section 134, and does have some coverage provided by the overhanging second seating tier above. However as the overhang is significantly higher up compared to the seating level, there may be a chance of rain making it to the seats if the wind is blowing to the south.
  For some of the best protection from the elements, we recommend the Left Field Porch sections (LP1-LP3) as they have the most complete coverage and protection among the outdoor seats at Busch Stadium.
  

  

• What sections are most shaded during the whole game at Busch Stadium?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · July 28, 2014

  The best way to guarantee shade at Busch Stadium is to sit in the last few rows of sections down either the left field line or the right field line since there is an overhang that protects much of these sections. Without any cover, the third base side at Busch Stadium will be in the shade the longest, so the best place to sit would be in a covered area on the third base side to ensure that the seats are in the shade the whole game. The back part of sections 161-167 would be the best place to sit to be in the shade for the entire game since this area is covered and on the shady side of the field.