Florida city council changes mind on paying to repair Tampa Bay Rays’ ballpark after hurricane ripped roof off
The Tampa Bay Rays are facing a major setback after Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc on their home stadium, Tropicana Field. The stadium’s fiberglass roof was torn off during the storm, causing extensive water damage inside the venue. The estimated cost of repairs is a staggering $55.7 million, and the work cannot be completed in time for the 2026 season.
Initially, the St. Petersburg City Council voted to provide funding for the repairs, but just hours later, they reversed course. Instead, the Rays will pay the New York Yankees $15 million to play their home regular-season games at the Yankees’ spring training ballpark. This decision leaves the Rays without a certain home venue until further notice.
The reversal on fixing Tropicana Field came after the council also delayed consideration of revenue bonds for a proposed new $1.3 billion Rays ballpark. The lack of progress on both fronts has put the future of the team in jeopardy. Rays Co-President Brian Auld expressed uncertainty about the team’s future plans, stating, “I can’t say I’m confident about anything.”
The team had already spent $50 million on early work for the new stadium, but delays in approval of bonds for the public share of the costs have halted progress. The Rays are now working on finding an alternative plan to ensure that Tropicana Field can possibly be ready for the 2026 season.
Despite the challenges, Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg remains committed to keeping the team in the Tampa Bay area for generations to come. However, the outlook is less optimistic than it was just a few weeks ago. The team is facing an uncertain future, but they are determined to overcome the obstacles and continue their presence in the community.
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