The Tampa Bay Rays, now under new ownership led by Patrick Zalupski, are planning an ambitious stadium and development project to replace Tropicana Field, aiming for a 2029 opening with a modern, multi-use complex. The team seeks public funding and is exploring options in Tampa and St. Petersburg, with the goal of boosting revenue and competitiveness, though financing and local government support remain key challenges.
The Tampa Bay Rays have officially been sold to a group led by Patrick Zalupski for $1.7 billion, with the sale now finalized. Zalupski expressed enthusiasm about leading the franchise, which faces challenges including repairing Tropicana Field and potentially building a new stadium in Tampa. The team, currently in a rebuilding phase with a recent losing record, will see continued leadership from president Erik Neander and manager Kevin Cash, both extended through 2028. An introductory press conference is scheduled for October 7th to discuss future plans.
The Tampa Bay Rays will start their 2026 season with an 11-day road trip due to ongoing repairs at Tropicana Field, which was damaged by Hurricane Milton, with plans to return to their domed stadium for the full season once repairs are completed.
St. Petersburg and Pinellas County are exploring the possibility of transforming Tropicana Field into a convention center as part of a broader redevelopment plan for the Historic Gas Plant District, with a feasibility study underway to assess market demand and potential benefits for regional tourism and economic growth.
Major League Baseball has adjusted the Tampa Bay Rays' 2025 schedule to accommodate their temporary move to Steinbrenner Field due to damage at Tropicana Field caused by Hurricane Milton. The Rays will now host the Los Angeles Angels in April instead of August and have rescheduled their series with the Minnesota Twins to May. The future of Tropicana Field remains uncertain, with repairs estimated at over $50 million and a new stadium plan delayed.
The St. Petersburg City Council initially approved a $23 million loan to repair the Tampa Bay Rays' Tropicana Field roof, damaged by Hurricane Milton, but reversed the decision hours later. The council delayed consideration of revenue bonds for a new $1.3 billion ballpark, leaving the Rays to play the 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The city is legally required to fix the roof, and the Rays hope for a resolution to have the stadium ready by 2026.
The St. Petersburg City Council has approved a $23 million repair to the hurricane-damaged roof of Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, aiming for completion by the 2026 season. This decision comes amid uncertainty over financing a new $1.3 billion stadium, with the Rays temporarily relocating to Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The broader redevelopment project, including a new ballpark, faces delays and community concerns over funding priorities, especially following recent hurricanes.
The Tampa Bay Rays' plans for a new stadium have been delayed beyond 2028 due to severe hurricane damage to Tropicana Field and political delays in financing. The team will temporarily play at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa starting in 2025. The Pinellas County Commission postponed finalizing bonds for the new $1.3 billion stadium until December, leaving the Rays' future stadium plans uncertain.
The Tampa Bay Rays' plans for a new stadium in St. Petersburg face uncertainty after the Pinellas County Board postponed a vote on bond financing for the second time, potentially delaying or jeopardizing the project. The delay follows comments by Rays owner Stu Sternberg, which frustrated commissioners. The Rays, currently displaced from Tropicana Field due to hurricane damage, may play 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The future of the Rays in the Tampa Bay area remains unclear as the team and county officials navigate financial and logistical challenges.
The Tampa Bay Rays' home stadium, Tropicana Field, suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Milton, with repairs expected to cost $55.7 million and take until 2026 to complete. The stadium, which was to serve as a shelter for first responders, now lies in disarray, with emergency beds still scattered across the field. As a result, the Rays will play their 2025 home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
Hurricane Milton caused significant damage to Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, including a shredded roof and water damage, forcing the team to relocate to Steinbrenner Field for the 2025 season. Repair costs are estimated at $56 million, with completion expected by 2026, but the decision to proceed with repairs is pending due to plans for a new stadium by 2029. The damage has raised questions about the future of the Tropicana Field site.
The Tampa Bay Rays have released photos showing the damage inside Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton tore off the venue's roof on October 9, 2024. The images highlight the extent of the destruction caused by the storm in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Tampa Bay Rays' plan to build a new $1.3 billion stadium at the Tropicana Field site is likely dead due to delays by the Pinellas County Commission in approving bond financing. This jeopardizes the future of Major League Baseball in St. Petersburg, as the Rays may consider relocating if the stadium deal falls through. The team has already announced plans to play the 2025 season at the Yankees' spring training stadium in Tampa, and concerns over costly repairs to Tropicana Field's roof add to the uncertainty.
The Tampa Bay Rays will play their 2025 home games at the Yankees' Steinbrenner Field in Tampa after their stadium, Tropicana Field, was severely damaged by Hurricane Milton. The Yankees will receive $15 million in revenue for hosting the Rays, who chose Steinbrenner Field over the Phillies' complex in Clearwater. The decision allows the Rays to stay close to their fan base while Tropicana Field undergoes $55.7 million in repairs, expected to be completed by 2026. The Yankees emphasized community support over rivalry in this arrangement.
The Tampa Bay Rays plan to play their 2025 season at Tampa's Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees, due to extensive damage at Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton. The decision, made in consultation with MLB, comes as repairs to Tropicana Field are expected to be completed by 2026. This move may face opposition from Pinellas County officials who prefer the team to stay within the county. The arrangement could also impact the Yankees' minor-league team, the Tarpons, who share the facility.
