The St. Petersburg City Council initially approved funding for repairs to the home stadium of the Tampa Bay Rays, which was damaged by Hurricane Milton. The repairs were estimated to cost $55.7 million and could not be completed before the 2026 season. However, just hours later, the council reversed its decision, and the Rays announced that they would pay $15 million to the New York Yankees to play their home regular-season games at New York’s spring training ballpark. This means that the only certain home for the Rays until further notice will be in New York.
The city council’s reversal on fixing Tropicana Field came after a vote to delay consideration of revenue bonds for a proposed new $1.3 billion Rays ballpark. This decision has put the new stadium plan and the future of Tropicana Field in jeopardy. The lack of progress on the new stadium project has left the team uncertain about their future in the Tampa Bay area. The team’s top executives expressed disappointment in the delays in approval of bonds for the public share of the costs. They have already spent $50 million on early work for the new ballpark but are unable to proceed further without the necessary funding.
The council members who opposed the initial vote to fund repairs to Tropicana Field cited concerns about clarity on various issues, such as the ballpark’s insurance coverage and potential FEMA assistance. Despite these concerns, some council members emphasized that the city is contractually obligated to repair the roof of the stadium. The team’s new stadium is expected to be ready for the 2028 season, assuming the project moves forward. Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg expressed concern about the long-term viability of Major League Baseball in the Tampa Bay area, stating that the outlook is “less rosy” than it was previously.
The future of Tropicana Field remains uncertain as the city and the Rays work on finding an alternative solution in the coming weeks. The team’s co-presidents, Brian Auld and Matt Silverman, highlighted the disappointment and frustration over the delays in the approval of bonds for the new stadium project. They emphasized the substantial investment the team has already made and expressed a commitment to keeping the Rays in the area for generations to come. The overall project had previously been approved by the County Commission and the City of St. Petersburg, adding to the disappointment over the current setbacks.
The reversal on funding repairs to Tropicana Field has raised questions about the Rays’ long-term future in the Tampa Bay area. The team’s inability to move forward with the new stadium project due to delays in bond approval has cast doubt on their ability to remain in the region. Despite the challenges, the team’s leadership remains committed to finding solutions and keeping the Rays in the area for future generations. The uncertainty surrounding the team’s home stadium and future plans has created a sense of urgency for the city and the Rays to work together to address the ongoing issues and find a path forward for the franchise.
