ST. LOUIS – At long last, spring football season is back in St. Louis!
The St. Louis Battlehawks are set for their 2025 home opener Sunday against the San Antonio Brahmas. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
Tens of thousands are expected to gather around Downtown St. Louis to celebrate. Upwards of 30,000 to 40,000 fans could pack the Dome at America’s Center.
Whether you’re attending the game, looking to enjoy festivities or tune in from the comfort of a TV, here’s FOX 2’s guide on what to know and expect…
If you’d like to see the home opener in person, some tickets are still available. Tickets start as low as $18 before fees on Ticketmaster, the third-party ticket partner of the Battlehawks.
If you are unable to attend the home opener of festivities, you can catch the action on FS1 around 5:30 p.m. CT. Live coverage will immediately follow a production of the NASCAR Cup Series on FS1.
The St. Louis Battlehawks will play a growing rival in the San Antonio Brahmas. The Battlehawks defeated San Antonio twice in the regular season last year before they won a head-to-head first round playoff matchup.
The Battlehawks enter the matchup 1-0 after winning their season opener on the road last weekend. The Brahmas begin the season 0-1.
Many celebrations for the new Battlehawks season will begin early Sunday afternoon in Downtown St. Louis.
At 2 p.m., a free tailgate party opens to the public at Baer Plaza, located on the east side of the Dome. The tailgate will include a variety of games, activities and booths to buy food and drinks.
At 2:15 p.m., a “Battle March” is scheduled, during which players will be escorted off the team bus into the Dome. Fans may have some opportunities to interact or cheer on players during that time.
At 4 p.m., gates open to get inside the Dome. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. Fans will most likely want to be inside the Dome by 5 p.m. if they desire to see pregame introductions.
Ballpark Village will also host a Battlehawks watch party for Sunday’s game with various specials on drinks.
The weather could be off-and-on rainy with seasonably temperatures around the 40s-50s, so dress accordingly if you plan to spend time outside.
St. Louis’ parking website StLouisParking.com lists about two dozen lots that are walking distance from the Dome.
Gameday parking will open late Sunday morning or early Sunday afternoon. Keep in mind, some spots may not be permissible options for tailgating, at least as far as grills and tents are concerned.
ExploreStLouis.com offers a little more guidance on parking options near the Dome. Some may still require cash.
There will also be some parking available at Ballpark Village, about a 15-minute walk away, and possibly some shuttles to take to the Dome.
Fans may bring a clear tote bag that is 12” x 6” x 12” or less in size to hold personal items. Small purses and handbags that are 4.5” x 6.5” or less in size and one-galleon clear plastic storage bags are also allowed.
Fans are allowed to bring signs to games, as long as they are hand-held, smaller than 2′ x 2′, and do not block the view of others. UFL staff and stadium management may confiscate signs that are deemed to be in poor taste, political, commercial, or offensive in nature.
Large bags and outside beverages (aside from a clear unopened plastic water bottle), are also not allowed. For a closer look at a list of prohibited items, click here.
This is the Battlehawks’ fourth spring football season in six years, including the team’s third consecutive spring season and second straight since the XFL-USFL merger. The Battlehawks look to build on a historic season last year, which included seven regular season wins, their first playoff matchup and a new spring football attendance record of 40,000.
Head coach Anthony Becht is back for his third consecutive season. Other notable names returning include wide receiver Hakeem Butler, running back Jacob Saylors and linebackers Travis Feeney and Willie Harvey Jr. The quarterback position looks to be a platoon situation between Manny Wilkins and Max Duggan in the early stages of this season. For a look at the full roster, click here.
The Dome welcomes the Battlehawks for the new season with new vibrant-green turf, in addition to upgraded lighting systems. For a closer look at the upgrades, click here. If you plan to purchase food or drinks in the stadium, keep in mind the Dome is card-only.
The Battlehawks are 3-0 in their previous home openers, packing more than 40,000 fans into their last one, a year ago to date, April 6, 2024.
