THE TAMPA Bay Rays have provided a new update on the future of Tropicana Field.
The MLB ballpark saw its roof ripped off after Hurricane Milton made landfall in October.
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Tropicana Field has been home to the Rays since their inaugural MLB season in 1998.
Milton wreaked havoc on the Tampa area and tore the ballpark’s fabric roof clean off.
Exposed to the elements, the Rays’ home suffered extensive water damage.
It is currently unsuitable to host baseball and will be closed for the foreseeable future.
In November, Rays’ President Brian Auld claimed the team didn’t want the city to repair the ballpark, despite funding being made available by St Petersburg council.
Before the hurricane, the Rays had planned to use the stadium only through 2027 until a replacement could be built.
But with no concrete plans for a rebuild, the organization have now changed their mind.
In a letter sent to City Administrator Robert Gerdes, Rays President Matthew Silverman said the club has now changed its position.
And the Rays “expect” to be able to return to action at Tropicana Field for Opening Day in 2026.
Repairs completed later in the season would “present massive logistical and revenue challenges for the team,” Silverman wrote.
“While we had been open to considering a scenario in which the city bought out of its obligation to rebuild the ballpark, the Rays support and expect the city to rebuild Tropicana Field in accordance with the terms of the current use agreement.”
Silverman also urged the city and an independent advisor from the MLB to meet weekly “to discuss progress and implement key decisions.”
With Tropicana Field definitely out of action for 2025, the Rays are moving to a temporary new home next season.
They will play at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa for the 2025 campaign, which begins on March 27.
MLB All-Star starters 2024
American League
C: Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
2B: Marcus Semien (Texas Rangers)
3B: José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians)
SS: Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles)
OF: Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
OF: Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians)
OF: Juan Soto (New York Yankees)
DH: Yordan Alvarez (Houston Astros)
National League
C: William Contreras (Milwaukee Brewers)
1B: Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
2B: Ketel Marte (Arizona Diamondbacks)
3B: Alec Bohm (Philadelphia Phillies)
SS: Trea Turner (Philadelphia Phillies)
OF: Jurickson Profar (San Diego Padres)
OF: Teoscar Hernández (Los Angeles Dodgers)
OF: Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Steinbrenner Field has a capacity of 11,026 and is used by the New York Yankees for Spring Training.
“We deeply appreciate that the Yankees have graciously allowed us to play at Steinbrenner Field for the 2025 season,’’ Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg said.
“The hurricane damage to Tropicana Field has forced us to take some extraordinary steps.
“Just as hurricanes Helene and Milton have forced thousands of families and businesses in our community to adapt to new circumstances as we all recover and rebuild.”
“We are happy to extend our hand to the Rays and their fans by providing a Major League-quality facility for them to utilize this season,” added Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner.
“Both the Yankees organization and my family have deep roots in the Tampa Bay region.
“We understand how meaningful it is for Rays players, employees and fans to have their 2025 home games take place within 30 minutes of Tropicana Field.”
