Game Day | St. Louis, MO
The right Ford for a Cardinals game depends on who’s riding along and where you plan to park.
Game day in St. Louis starts well before the first pitch. There’s the drive downtown, the hunt for a spot, the cooler, the chairs, and somebody always forgets the bottle opener. The vehicle you show up in decides how much of that goes smoothly.
So here’s how the Ford F-150, Ford Explorer and Ford Maverick each handle a Cardinals day, from a full tailgate to a quick run to the ballpark after work.
Quick answer: The Ford F-150 is the pick for a big tailgate, the Ford Explorer is the pick for a crowd, and the Ford Maverick is the easiest to park downtown. Which one fits comes down to how many people you carry and how much gear you bring.
Tailgate setup
Ford F-150 with available Pro Power Onboard
Full crew
Ford Explorer with three rows
Downtown parking
Ford Maverick, the compact pickup
In this post
Start With How You Get to the Ballpark
Most Cardinals fans do one of three things. They drive straight in for a weeknight game, they spend a few hours tailgating before a weekend series, or they pile the family in for a day at the park. Each one asks something different of a vehicle.
A weeknight run is about size and visibility. A tailgate is about bed space and power. A family day is about seats and storage. Once you know which of those describes most of your games, the choice gets easier.
Ford F-150 for the Tailgate Crowd
A pickup bed is a tailgate waiting to happen. The Ford F-150 gives you a flat place for coolers, chairs and a grill, and the tailgate folds down into a flat spot to sit or set food on. Tie-down points keep a cooler from sliding when you turn in off the highway.
Available Pro Power Onboard puts outlets in the bed, so a TV, a speaker or a slow cooker can run without a generator. Not every F-150 has it, so ask which trims do before you count on it for the pregame cookout.
St. Louis driver tip: Stadium traffic stacks up on I-64 and I-55 before first pitch. Leave earlier than you think you need to, and pick your parking spot before you pick your snacks.
Ford Explorer When the Whole Crew Is Coming
The Ford Explorer has three rows, which means the kids, a couple of friends and the folding chairs can all fit without a second car. Cargo space behind the seats handles blankets, rain gear and a bag of stadium food, and the rear seats fold when you need more room.
It also works as a calm place to wait out a rain delay. Climate controls reach the back rows, so nobody’s arguing about the thermostat.
Browse the Ford F-150
See the Ford Maverick
Ford Maverick for Easy Downtown Parking
The Ford Maverick is a compact pickup, and that’s the whole appeal around Busch Stadium. It fits into tighter spots and turns easier in packed downtown streets than a full size truck does.
The bed still holds a cooler and a couple of chairs, and available bed outlets mean you can charge a phone or run a small speaker at your parking spot. For a couple heading to a night game, it’s plenty of truck.
Features That Help on Busy Game Days
Heavy traffic around the stadium rewards driver assist features. Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert helps when you’re backing out of a tight space with people walking behind you. An available 360 degree camera shows what’s around the bumpers when a spot is tighter than it looks.
The Ford app can start your engine from your seat at dinner so the cabin is comfortable when you walk back. Features vary by model and trim, so check what’s on the exact vehicle.
What to Pack and Where It Goes
Keep the heavy items low and near the tailgate: the cooler, the grill, a bag of charcoal. Chairs and a pop-up tent lie flat along the side of a bed or the back of an SUV. Jerseys, rally towels and a speaker stay in the cabin where they’re easy to grab.
If you tailgate often, a bed mat or a cargo organizer saves a lot of cleanup. Leave room for the trip home, because you’ll be carrying a few extra things.
Buy it with Warranty Forever
Dave Sinclair Ford includes Warranty Forever powertrain coverage on every qualifying vehicle.
Choosing the Vehicle
Which Ford suits tailgating at a Cardinals game?
The Ford F-150 is the easiest fit for a full tailgate because the bed holds coolers and grills and the tailgate folds down into a flat shelf. A Ford Explorer works well if you’d rather keep everything inside.
Is the Ford Maverick big enough for a tailgate?
For two to four people, it is. The bed holds a cooler and chairs, and the compact size makes parking downtown less of a headache than a larger truck.
Which Ford works for bringing kids to a game?
The Ford Explorer. Three rows of seating and room for strollers or bags behind the seats make it the easiest family choice.
Power and Gear
Can I run a TV or grill from my truck at a tailgate?
Available Pro Power Onboard on the Ford F-150 provides outlets for that kind of use. Check that the exact truck you’re considering has it, and confirm what it can power in your owner’s manual.
Does the Ford Maverick have power outlets in the bed?
Bed outlets are available on the Ford Maverick. They suit phone chargers, small speakers and similar items, but they aren’t meant for heavy appliances.
How do I keep a cooler from sliding in the truck bed?
Use the tie-down points in the bed with a strap, or set the cooler against the front of the bed. A rubber bed mat also helps keep things from shifting.
Parking and Driving
What’s the easiest Ford to park near Busch Stadium?
The Ford Maverick, because it’s the smallest of the three. A 360 degree camera, where available, helps in any of them.
Do Ford driver assist features help in stadium traffic?
They can. Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert is useful when you’re backing out around people on foot, and an available 360 degree camera shows tight spots from above.
Should I leave early on game day?
Yes. Traffic and parking fill up well before first pitch, and leaving early gives you time to settle in before the game.
Comfort and Convenience
Can I start my Ford from inside the restaurant?
With the Ford app on a supported vehicle, you can start the engine remotely so the cabin is comfortable when you get back. Features and availability vary by model and trim.
Is a Ford Explorer comfortable for a long day at the park?
The Ford Explorer has climate controls for the back rows and room to stretch, which helps during a long day or a rain delay.
What should I keep in the vehicle for a Cardinals day?
A phone charger, a rain jacket, a few trash bags, wet wipes and a first aid kit cover most situations. Keep them in a bag that stays in the vehicle all season.
Buying and Visiting
Can I test drive different Fords back to back?
Yes. Stop by Dave Sinclair Ford and ask to try the F-150, Explorer and Maverick on the same visit so you can compare the size and feel.
How do I find out what a trade is worth before I shop?
You can start with our Value Your Trade page, and our team can confirm a value when you bring the vehicle in.
Does Dave Sinclair Ford have Warranty Forever on new Fords?
Warranty Forever is powertrain coverage included with every qualifying vehicle at Dave Sinclair Ford. Ask your salesperson what applies to the exact vehicle you pick.
