Tampa Bay Rays Pursue New Stadium in Tampa After Decades of St. Petersburg Struggles
For nearly three decades, the Tampa Bay Rays have grappled with the limitations of their current home at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Since their inaugural game in 1998, the franchise has consistently sought a more advantageous venue to boost attendance and secure its long-term future. The domed stadium's location, situated across the bay from Tampa's larger population centre, has been a persistent factor in the team's low turnout figures throughout much of its history.
A History of Stadium Proposals and Setbacks
Originally entering Major League Baseball as an expansion team alongside the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Rays initially bore the name "Devil Rays" before rebranding. Despite operating with a modest payroll and often poor attendance, the organisation has carved out a respectable record as a competitive small-market team. Over the years, numerous discussions about constructing a new ballpark have surfaced and then faded away.
Previous efforts included a failed proposal to relocate to Tampa's Ybor City district and another initiative to remain in St. Petersburg, which appeared promising until Hurricane Milton struck in 2024. The catastrophic storm dramatically altered local priorities and infrastructure challenges. In March of last year, the Rays formally withdrew from a $1.3 billion stadium agreement with St. Petersburg, citing the hurricane's impact and associated delays that likely inflated costs.
New Ownership and a Fresh Proposal
Stadium negotiations have now resumed under a new ownership consortium, which acquired the team from former owner Stuart Sternberg last September. The group is led by Florida real estate developer Patrick Zalupski, with Bill Cosgrove as co-chair and Ken Babby serving as the new CEO. This fresh leadership has introduced revised plans for the franchise's future home.
Last week, the Rays signed a nonbinding memorandum of agreement with Hillsborough College to develop a multiuse facility on a 113-acre site along Dale Mabry Boulevard in Tampa. This location is strategically positioned across from Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and near George M. Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees' spring training base. The agreement establishes a six-month window for detailed negotiations with Tampa officials.
Hurricane Milton's Lasting Impact on Tropicana Field
Hurricane Milton's devastation in October 2024 severely damaged Tropicana Field's roof, forcing the Rays to play their entire 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. That venue underwent a rapid 120-hour renovation to accommodate MLB games. While repairs are underway at the Trop, with the team expected to return for the 2026 season, the hurricane's destruction and rising construction costs influenced Sternberg's decision to sell the team and abandon the previous St. Petersburg deal.
The Rays' lease at Tropicana Field extends through at least the 2028 season. The stadium, which opened in 1990 at a cost of $138 million, once boasted the world's largest cable-supported domed roof. Playing at the smaller Steinbrenner Field, which seats just over 10,000, the Rays recorded 61 sellouts and drew 786,750 fans in 2025, a decline from 1.3 million in 2024. This placed them 29th in MLB attendance, barely ahead of the Oakland Athletics.
Details of the Proposed Tampa Development
Specifics about the new stadium remain scarce. The team has not disclosed financial contributions from ownership or requested public funding from the city, county, or state. However, the Rays have expressed a desire for a retractable roof to mitigate Florida's rainy season and summer humidity. The ownership group aims to create a mixed-use atmosphere similar to Atlanta's Truist Park, integrating retail, dining, residential, and office spaces around the ballpark.
The memorandum with Hillsborough College also includes provisions for new campus facilities. CEO Ken Babby emphasised the vision for a "world-class work-live-learn-play development" in Tampa Bay, while acknowledging significant parking and access challenges at the site. The team plans to collaborate with local authorities and planning experts to address these mobility issues.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has stated that the state will not directly finance the stadium but may assist with relocating a juvenile justice facility on the property and funding surrounding infrastructure like sewers and roads. As negotiations progress, the Rays and their new owners hope this latest proposal will finally resolve the franchise's long-standing stadium quandary and usher in a new era for baseball in the region.
