ST. LOUIS–For the second straight week, the Battlehawks have again opened up portions of the 400 level at The Dome at America’s Center two days before game day.

St. Louis (3-1, 2nd place in the XFL North) set a new record for XFL attendance Sunday when 38,310 packed the Dome for a win over the Arlington Renegades in the first football game played at the facility since the 2020 XFL season was interrupted by the pandemic.

What You Need To Know

  • The St. Louis Battlehawks host the DC Defenders at 6pm Saturday at The Dome at America's Center

  • Tickets can be purchased here 

  • The Battlehawks will look to avenge a Week 3 loss to DC, which is one game ahead of St. Louis in the XFL North standings

  • Former Battlehawks QB Jordan Ta'amu is part of a 2-QB tandem for the Defenders.

As of Thursday afternoon, the 400-level areas open to the public for Saturday’s 6pm kickoff against the DC Defenders appear to be consistent with what was open Sunday. Battlehawks Head Coach Anthony Becht told reporters was hopeful for a crowd near 40,000 to see his team take on the North division-leading Defenders (4-0), just two weeks after DC won its home matchup with St. Louis in a chippy affair that ended with a fight, fines and suspensions.

Becht said he wants fans to continue to work for his team.

“I'm greedy. I want the fans louder on third down. I mean, if you sit there and and have a hot dog and have a beer for the first two downs, I'm all good with it. Chill out, have your conversation. But when third down happens and they're on the field on offense, we need to stand up and be as loud as possible,” he told reporters Thursday.

He credited the noise level for throwing off their opponents Sunday to create an environment that Arlington Head Coach Bob Stoops told Spectrum News was the loudest and craziest in the league.

Officials at Explore St. Louis told Spectrum News that it expects to boost recruiting efforts to staff stadium concession and usher positions, promising that any shortages on that front would not keep the team from opening up seating to more fans.

“We’re committed to making sure there are no constraints on capacity based on labor,” Chief Marketing Officer Brian Hall said, adding that there will “absolutely” be improvement in service as the building gets back into the rhythm of hosting gamedays after a three-year absence from having football at the Dome. 

On the field, St. Louis will look to correct mistakes that helped DC get out to a 14-0 lead in week 3, before an inglorious ending.

 

“A different attitude and purpose this week and and we know why the things that held us back in the first meeting with DC, you know, prevented us from winning and we have to make sure we go out there and keep those things clean and put us in a better situation to potentially win this one,” Becht said.

“ I think you're just gonna you'll see a physical game withinwithin the sidelines on the field and you'll see a game all the way finishing through to the whistle. And if for some reason there's a pushing or shoving or all that stuff happens again, I told my guys man, just don't be the ones that do it, step away, and get them on the next play,” Becht added. “I like to say we have no selfish players on our team, but if you're gonna get a personal foul, that's not going to sit well for me, and quite frankly, you're hurting your team.”

Saturday will be a busy sports weekend downtown, with St. Louis City SC hosting its second MLS match at CityPark with a 7:30 pm kickoff against San Jose. City looks to become the first MLS expansion franchise to go 4-0.