ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rays have announced their withdrawal from a planned $1.3 billion ballpark project, citing significant setbacks due to hurricane damage and financing delays.
In a statement released Thursday, Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg attributed the decision to “a series of events” in October, including severe damage to Tropicana Field caused by Hurricane Milton and subsequent financial delays, which have significantly increased the project’s estimated cost.
“After careful deliberation, we have concluded we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this moment,” Sternberg said.
READ: Rays’ Brandon Lowe Teams Up With Crisis Center Of Tampa Bay For Mayfield Foundation’s Giving Bowl
As a result of the damage to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, the Rays will play their 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees’ spring training facility in Tampa. Plans are underway to repair Tropicana Field, including replacing its roof, in time for the 2026 season.
The Rays’ current contract with the city of St. Petersburg requires them to play at Tropicana Field for three more seasons after the repairs are completed. The team’s long-term future in the Tampa Bay area remains uncertain, with Major League Baseball and the Rays potentially evaluating attendance and fan interest during their season at Steinbrenner Field.
“The City of St. Petersburg is currently advancing plans to restore Tropicana Field for the 2026 season,” Sternberg said. “We are thankful for their efforts and are excited to return to our home field next spring.”
READ: Look Out For Tampa Bay Rays Starter Taj Bradley
The proposed 30,000-seat stadium was a key component of the $6.5 billion Historic Gas Plant District revitalization project, which aims to transform an 86-acre downtown area. The project includes plans for a Black history museum, affordable housing, entertainment venues, and office and retail space, with the promise of thousands of jobs.
The Historic Gas Plant District project is now also in limbo due to the Rays’ decision, as the new stadium was intended to be its anchor.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
