ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have announced that they will be playing their home games in 2025 at Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees’ spring training facility located nearby, due to ongoing uncertainties surrounding the hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field. Rays officials have made this information known.
Rays’ principal owner, Stuart Sternberg, shared in an interview that the use of Steinbrenner Field aligns well with the team’s needs and those of its supporters. With a seating capacity of around 11,000, it is notably the largest spring training venue in Florida. He emphasized the opportunity for fans to enjoy 81 games of major league baseball in an intimate setting.
“This is the best opportunity for our fans to witness major league Rays baseball,” Sternberg remarked, highlighting the complex nature of upgrading stadiums to meet major league standards. He pointed out that hosting the team there would offer an excellent view of the action in a smaller venue.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has also expressed approval regarding the arrangement, labeling it as beneficial for both the team and the Tampa Bay area. “This outcome aligns with Major League Baseball’s objectives, ensuring that Rays fans can see their team play at home and that the players can maintain stability for their families,” stated Manfred in a release.
Tropicana Field, the Rays’ home since 1998, suffered significant damage from Hurricane Milton on October 9, with its fabric roof largely destroyed and substantial water damage reported inside. Following an evaluation, the city of St. Petersburg indicated that repairs could reach approximately $55.7 million to prepare the facility for the 2026 season. However, any repairs must be sanctioned by the city council, which recently approved plans for a new stadium estimated at $1.3 billion, set to replace Tropicana Field by 2028. This initiative is a part of a broader urban redevelopment project known as the Historic Gas Plant District, intended to revitalize the area.
Despite the ongoing challenges, the Rays have concretely planned to play their 2025 season at a venue that is closely associated with one of their historical rivals. The ballpark’s characteristics, including a façade resembling Yankee Stadium and tributes to famed Yankee players with retired numbers, add to the unique atmosphere.
Brian Auld, the Rays’ co-president, noted the logistics involved, mentioning that they need to prepare for a regular-season game against the Colorado Rockies on March 27, just after the Yankees conclude spring training. “We’re certainly looking forward to making Steinbrenner Field feel ‘Rayful’,” he explained, indicating that they intend to incorporate their branding into the venue.
Some weather-related challenges are anticipated, particularly as the team transitions from the enclosed environment of Tropicana Field to an outdoor setting where they will have to contend with Miami’s steamy summers. The previous season saw the Rays average about 16,500 spectators per game.
Financially, the Yankees stand to gain around $15 million from this arrangement. A source familiar with the deal confirmed that this amount would not be sourced from Tampa Bay, but rather from alternative streams like insurance.
Steinbrenner Field, originally known as Legends Field, first opened its doors in 1996 and was named after long-time Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who had significant business ties to Tampa and passed away there in 2010. Hal Steinbrenner, his son and an executive with the Yankees, played a crucial role in concluding this agreement.
Sternberg expressed heartfelt gratitude for the willingness of the Yankees to assist the Rays. “This is a significant endeavor for them, and I’m thankful for Hal’s unwavering support,” he stated.
Hal Steinbrenner commented that the Yankees are proud to assist the Rays during this time of need, recognizing the deep connections that both teams have with the Tampa Bay community. “In challenging times, the values of community and support take precedence over rivalry,” he said, emphasizing the importance of aiding families and businesses recovering from the aftermath of natural disasters.
The Tampa Tarpons, a minor league affiliate of the Yankees, typically play at Steinbrenner Field during the summer months, but will utilize other ballparks in the complex for the upcoming season.
This is not an unprecedented situation in major league baseball, as similar instances have occurred in the past; the Toronto Blue Jays previously played part of the 2021 season at their Dunedin facility due to pandemic-related travel restrictions imposed by the Canadian government.
