Rays Eye Permanent Home as They Return to Tropicana Field
The Rays returned to Tropicana Field on Monday for their first full home game since September 2024. The reopening follows massive repairs after Hurricane Milton tore the stadium’s roof off in October 2024.
Repairs and upgrades at the Trop
St. Petersburg invested nearly $60 million to refurbish the ballpark. The work included a new roof, fresh turf, and upgraded lighting.
The club also modernized player and guest areas. Clubhouses were redone, training equipment added, and fitness and recovery spaces expanded.
Fan amenities and interior changes
Suites and common areas received updates throughout the facility. The Baldwin Group Club on the fourth floor was redesigned.
A new home plate club now features a speakeasy and a craft candy shop. Front-office staff moved back into the ballpark in early March.
Temporary home and recent history
Last season the Rays played in a spring training park whose seats still showed another team’s logo. The club used George M. Steinbrenner Field as its temporary home in 2025.
Owner Stuart Sternberg sold the team in October after a St. Petersburg stadium deal collapsed. The sale price was about $1.7 billion to a group led by developer Patrick Zalupski.
Ambitious new stadium proposal
The new ownership is pushing a $2.3 billion proposal for a stadium in Tampa. The plan would split costs roughly 50/50 between the team and public funding.
That would put the public share at about $1.15 billion. The Rays say their private contribution would be among the largest in MLB history.
Site and project scope
The proposed ballpark would sit on a 130-acre site near Dale Mabry Highway. The location is beside Steinbrenner Field and across from Raymond James Stadium.
Renderings show a largely glass roof and walls. The development would include shopping, housing, and entertainment inside a mixed-use district.
Partnership with Hillsborough Community College
The plan integrates a new Hillsborough Community College campus into the development. The state donated a plot of land for the school’s use.
Hillsborough College has approved a memorandum of understanding that outlines the framework of the proposal. Students raised concerns about temporary disruptions to campus life.
Public debate and timeline
The $1.15 billion public ask has prompted debate over the use of taxpayer funds. Residents voiced worries about traffic, development scale, and alternate site choices.
County commissioners and the Tampa City Council could vote on a formal memorandum soon. Hillsborough County meets April 15, with the Tampa City Council meeting April 16.
Deadlines and long-term goals
The Rays have a use agreement at Tropicana Field through 2028. The club aims to have a new ballpark ready by Opening Day 2029.
Team leadership stresses the urgency. They argue the project would create a lasting sports and entertainment district for the region.
Context and perspective
The Trop opened in 1990 as the Florida Suncoast Dome. It hosted several sports, including three seasons of NHL play, before the Rays arrived in 1998.
Ken Babby, the Rays CEO, welcomed the immediate return to the Trop. He also emphasized that the renovated stadium is not intended as the franchise’s long-term home.
As the team plays again in St. Petersburg, the organization continues to eye a permanent home. Filmogaz.com will follow developments as decisions progress.
