ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Following a period of uncertainty, the Tampa Bay Rays have expressed their support for a city initiative that encompasses a $55.7 million project aimed at repairing the damage caused by Hurricane Milton to Tropicana Field. The goal is to have the renovations completed in time for the start of the 2026 season. In the interim, the team will conduct its home games at Steinbrenner Field, the spring training facility of the New York Yankees located in Tampa, which is in close proximity to St. Petersburg.
In a communication to St. Petersburg’s chief administrator, Matt Silverman, who serves as the Rays’ co-president, clarified the team’s stance regarding the reconstruction efforts. He noted that while there were considerations for an alternative scenario where the city could opt out of its responsibilities to rebuild the stadium, the Rays believe it is essential for the city to move forward with the necessary repairs as per the existing usage agreement. “We support and expect the city to rebuild Tropicana Field according to the terms of the current agreement,” Silverman stated in his email.
The damaging effects of Hurricane Milton were severe; the storm, which made landfall on October 9, ripped apart the fabric roof of Tropicana Field, leading to extensive water damage and exposing various areas of the ballpark’s interior. Although efforts have begun to mitigate further damage from the elements, there have been concerns surrounding full repairs since there are plans to eventually demolish the current facility to pave the way for a new $1.3 billion ballpark. This new venue is part of a larger plan designed to secure the future of the Rays in St. Petersburg for another 30 years.
Silverman emphasized the urgency of the situation in a December 30 email to the city, emphasizing that even a partial season at the Tropicana Field in 2026 would create substantial logistical and revenue challenges for the organization. “It is therefore critical that the rebuild begins promptly, with a feasible timeline established to allow us to be ready by opening day 2026,” he insisted.
In response, the city of St. Petersburg acknowledged the disruption caused to the Rays’ operations by the hurricane and welcomed the team’s preference to return to its hometown venue. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Rays and the City Council to bring Major League Baseball back to St. Petersburg,” the city stated in an email announcement.
The initial renovation proposal was introduced to the city council on December 12 but has yet to receive full approval. Some council members have expressed concerns regarding the expense, particularly as local residents and businesses continue to recover from both Hurricane Milton and a previous storm, Hurricane Helene. Mayor Ken Welch highlighted that funding from insurance claims and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is expected to cover a significant portion of the repair costs. Additionally, Silverman noted that Major League Baseball intends to appoint an independent advisor to supervise both the repair project and its timeline.
The future downtown ballpark for the Rays is also part of a broader $6.5 billion development initiative that aims to include affordable housing, a Black history museum, commercial spaces, and dining establishments. This effort is known as the Historic Gas Plant District, an area that was once a vibrant Black community that faced displacement during the construction of the original ballpark and an interstate highway.
Once repairs to Tropicana Field are finalized, Silverman acknowledged that the Rays are contractually obligated to continue playing there for an additional three seasons. “We eagerly anticipate a grand reopening,” he affirmed.
