ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Major League Baseball is actively exploring options for a temporary venue for the Tampa Bay Rays as they prepare for the 2025 season, contingent on the extent of repairs needed to Tropicana Field following Hurricane Milton’s destructive impact. The stadium’s distinctive fiberglass dome suffered severe damage due to the hurricane’s high winds, raising uncertainties about its usability for the upcoming season. Officials within MLB have proposed various spring training sites situated in the Tampa Bay region as potential stopgap locations, with Commissioner Rob Manfred expressing a preference for a setting closer to the team’s traditional fanbase.
Manfred, in a recent appearance on The Varsity podcast, shared his optimism about finding a solution that keeps the team within the Tampa Bay area. “We’re hopeful that we can figure out something in (the Tampa Bay area) for them and that the repairs can be done in a way that allows them to resume playing,” he remarked. He added that maintaining the team in its established market would be the most straightforward approach.
Since its debut season in 1998, the Rays have called Tropicana Field their home, although the facility itself has been around since 1990. The recent hurricane damage comes shortly after St. Petersburg and Pinellas County approved a significant $1.3 billion project for a new stadium designed to open by the 2028 season, forming part of a broader downtown renewal effort.
In the wake of the storm, city officials have engaged the Hennessy/AECOM firm to conduct a thorough assessment of the damages to Tropicana Field, and have enlisted another contractor to clear away the remaining roofing material. St. Petersburg spokeswoman Alizza Punzalan-Randle indicated that the city has also initiated an insurance claim regarding the incident. “We will have more information on next steps once the analyses have been completed and the remaining roof has been removed,” she stated.
City Council member Brandi Gabbard mentioned that she anticipates having the assessment results by the first week of November, which should provide clarity on the next steps. “At that point, we will have a better picture of the path forward,” Gabbard expressed.
If Tropicana Field is not ready for the start of the season, potential venues for the Rays have been discussed, including various local spring training facilities utilized by teams like the Phillies, Blue Jays, Yankees, Pirates, and Tigers. Additionally, the Rays have their own spring training complex located in Port Charlotte, approximately 85 miles south of St. Petersburg, which could also serve as a feasible alternative. Another possibility is playing at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex located near Orlando.
Many of the mentioned venues currently host minor league teams during the regular season, meaning significant rescheduling might be needed. An alternative could involve utilizing the Orioles’ spring training site in Sarasota, which lacks a corresponding minor league team. There has also been speculation about sharing the Miami Marlins’ stadium, though this location is about four hours away and would pose a serious logistical challenge. Another suggestion that emerged earlier regarding playing games in Montreal was hindered as the local stadium is undergoing renovations and won’t be ready in time.
The Rays have not commented on the situation beyond stating that a complete assessment of Tropicana Field could take several weeks. Playing games at the Trop without a roof was floated as an idea, but issues with drainage in such a precipitation-laden area complicate that option. Furthermore, the financial considerations of repairing a facility slated for demolition in the coming years are also in play.
The Rays are set to host their opening “home” game against the Colorado Rockies on March 27, 2025, and Manfred assured stakeholders that solutions will be found to ensure the team plays. “The one thing I can tell you for sure is that they’re playing next year. We’re going to find them someplace to do it,” he affirmed during the podcast.