Can the Rays play in The Trop in 2026
Following a period of uncertainty, the Tampa Bay Rays now endorse a $55.7 million municipal plan to refurbish the hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field in time for the 2026 season opener, while the team prepares to play this year at the New York Yankees’ spring training facility in nearby Tampa.
Hurricane Milton severely damaged the Trop’s fabric roof when it made landfall on October 9, leading to water and other damage to the now-exposed interior of the ballpark. Efforts have been ongoing to prevent further weather-related damage, but there have been concerns about the complete repair, particularly since the ballpark is slated for demolition to make way for a new $1.3 billion facility, as part of current plans to keep the Rays in St. Petersburg for another 30 years.
Rays concerned about 2026
Time is of the essence, Silverman stated in his December 30 email to the city, which was released on Monday. He wrote that even a partial 2026 season at Tropicana Field “would present massive logistical and revenue challenges for the team.”
Matt Silverman, the Rays’ co-president, stated in an email to the St. Petersburg chief administrator that the team wishes to clarify any questions regarding its support for the reconstruction. The city is obligated to cover the expenses for the work under its existing contract with the Rays.
Silverman re-emphasized the importance of having the Trop repaired in time for Opening Day in 2026, saying “there is a very significant difference for the Rays between the repairs being completed for Opening Day on the one hand and a completion date later in the season on the other.”
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St. Pete Mayor confident The Trop will be ready on time
“The City of St. Petersburg is planning to complete the Tropicana Field repairs in time for the 2026 season, and the Rays organization stands ready to support that effort,” club co-president Brian Auld said on Monday.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch has previously said that insurance and FEMA funds should cover much of the cost of fixing the city-owned stadium. In a statement, the city said administration officials “appreciate the Rays indicating their preference for the future of Tropicana Field.”
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Rays — through participation in a collaborative working group — and with City Council to return Major League Baseball games to St. Petersburg,” the city’s statement said. “Following a recent meeting with Rays owner Stu Sternberg, Mayor Welch — as he has previously made clear — intends to do all he can to fulfill the city’s obligations in relation to Major League Baseball.”
This season they will play in Tampa
The Rays have arranged to play their home games next season at the New York Yankees’ 11,000-seat spring training ballpark, Steinbrenner Field, in Tampa. They reiterated in the December 30 email their strong desire to have repairs to Tropicana Field completed in time for the Rays to play there on Opening Day in 2026.
Still a long way to go before the deal is done
The Rays are currently assessing their position regarding the $1.3 billion ballpark in St. Petersburg. Both St. Petersburg and Pinellas County recently approved bond measures for the stadium’s development.
