Tampa Bay Rays Face Tight Deadline for Stadium Decision, MLB Adjusts 2025 Schedule
The Tampa Bay Rays are facing a busy and stressful holiday week. The team must make a crucial decision on whether to proceed with their $1.3 billion stadium project by December 1.
Major League Baseball is making adjustments to the Rays’ 2025 schedule. They are moving more road games to the summer months to avoid the intense weather of the summer.
Pinellas County Sets Deadline for Stadium Commitment
By Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays must decide if they will move forward with the construction of their new stadium. It was approved back in July. Pinellas County Commission Chair Kathleen Peters sent a letter to Rays President Brian Auld and Owner Matt Silverman on Monday, asking for a final commitment.
The excitement surrounding the new stadium was palpable when the Rays, St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County all came together to approve the $1.3 billion project. The stadium is set to anchor the Gas Light District, a massive $6.5 billion development that includes residential, retail, and commercial spaces.
However, complications have arisen in the months since. Hurricane Milton damaged the roof of Tropicana Field, and a newly elected county commissioner has caused delays. What was initially expected to be a formality—a September vote to approve bond issuance—has become a contentious issue, with the county now slowing the process.
Political Tensions and Financial Pressures
Rays officials have stated that because the county failed to vote on the necessary bonds last month, the new stadium cannot be completed in time for the 2028 season. Additionally, the team argues that a 2029 opening would come with significantly higher costs. The Rays have already invested over $50 million into the project, but county officials have reportedly halted further work.
In their Nov. 19 letter to the county, the Rays emphasized that completing the stadium by 2029 would result in excessive cost overruns that they cannot absorb. Peters has pushed back, calling the Rays’ assertion that the 2029 timeline would be prohibitively expensive a “fallacious statement.” She stressed that the county has until March 31, 2025, to issue the bonds.
The standoff could lead to a legal battle if the Rays don’t provide a firm answer by the Dec. 1 deadline. Peters has said she will consult with Assistant County Attorney Don Crowell and County Administrator Barry Burton if an agreement isn’t reached.
MLB Steps In With Scheduling Changes
To address weather-related concerns, MLB has rescheduled several 2024 games. A three-game series between the Rays and the Los Angeles Angels, originally set to be played in Anaheim in April, will now take place at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa from April 7-9. Conversely, the series that was supposed to occur in Tampa in August (Aug. 4-6) will now be held in Anaheim.
Further changes affect two upcoming series against the Minnesota Twins. The three-game series, originally scheduled for May 26-28 in Minneapolis, will now be played in Tampa. The July 4-6 series, initially set for Tampa, will instead be moved to Target Field in Minnesota.
As a result, the Rays will spend much of their summer on the road. Of the final 108 games in the 2024 season, the team will play 64 away games. The Rays are only scheduled for eight home games each in both July and August.
As a result, the Rays will spend much of the summer on the road. Of the final 108 games in the 2024 season, 64 will be away games. The team is only scheduled to play eight home games each in both July and August.
Steinbrenner Field Hosts Rays and Yankees Spring Training
Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees, will serve as a temporary home for the Rays. The field is also used by the Tampa Tarpons, the Yankees’ Class-A affiliate, during the Florida State League season.
The Tarpons will relocate their home games to other fields within the Yankees’ complex.
The Rays’ summer schedule, with a hefty number of away games, is a direct result of weather-related concerns. MLB’s efforts to protect the players and fans by rescheduling games away from the stifling summer heat will only add to the challenges the Rays face as they await a final decision on their future stadium.
The coming weeks will be critical for the future of the franchise.
