Diya Gupta | Staff Illustrator

For a while now, I’ve seen a push for “third places” — gathering places separate from work and home where people go to socialize. I propose St. Louis sports events. 

My first experience with St. Louis sports was a Cardinals game in early September of my first semester. In fact, the game included a lot of first experiences for me. First time riding the metro, first time venturing off campus since my arrival, and first time experiencing the wonderful environment of St. Louis sports. No matter where you are coming from, everyone becomes part of a larger community. 

The stadium was buzzing with energy. The image of the sunset peeking over the stadium now defines my image of St. Louis. I ate a hot dog and drank lemonade. My friends and I alternated between watching the plays, yelling at the screen during the mid-inning activities, and swapping anecdotes. 

The Cardinals lost, but the metro ride home was full of laughter. We chatted with an older fan who gave us tips on the city: the zoo is worth visiting multiple times, but the Arch is a one-time thing. He left us with a hug goodbye. 

These events offer more than just the main game. For three to four hours, you get to undertake an expedition with your friends. From the ride there, to stadium food, to the constant stimulation of something happening all around you, the game is an entire experience.

It was a perfect introduction to St. Louis. I had been nervous to explore new places and communities as an outsider, so used to the same sights in the same city my entire life. I quickly realized, however, that the moment you step into an arena, rink, or stadium prepared to cheer for a St. Louis team, you fit in. 

Recently, I attended a Blues game (my first ever hockey game). I was nervous going in; coming from the South, hockey was a foreign concept to me. 

In fact, it was one of the most exciting games I’ve ever attended. The energy was high from start to finish. Nearby fans explained the basic rules of the game to my (clearly confused) brother and me. We didn’t really get it. Nevertheless, bursting from our seats when the puck hit the back of the net felt immensely exciting. By the end of the game, my hand was raw from high-fiving. 

For many college students, our entire world consists of home and work. Many of us live less than a 20-minute walk from where we have classes, which can make it easy to stick to a comfortable bubble and not wander much to find places to socialize. 

The world of St. Louis sports can be that space. As a viewer, you have the power to decide how engaged you’d like to be with the game. For me, the playing toggles between a backdrop behind my conversations with friends and the main event. 

The hallmark of many third spaces is that they’re free, which sports games are unfortunately not. However, St. Louis games are often student friendly and affordable. The Cardinals have multiple college nights with $20 tickets (often including some merch), the Blues have a student mailing list that offers discounts on tickets, and St. Louis SC (our soccer club) offers last-minute ticket offers for students.

One thing that these games offer that many other third spaces don’t is the opportunity to engage in a larger community than just your friends, connecting with the world outside your circle in an enjoyable way.

Many of my friends who despise sports have greatly enjoyed the adventure. Similarly, I loved my Blues game experience and definitely plan on attending another, even though I have no current desire to learn more about how hockey works. Even if you don’t think a game would be for you, I highly recommend trying out a college night or discounted ticket. Not even half of the experience is the sport.