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For nearly 28 years, since the Tampa Bay Rays played their inaugural game in St. Petersburg’s domed stadium, the team has been searching for a more advantageous deal. The location of Tropicana Field, situated across Tampa Bay from a larger population base in Tampa, has contributed to low attendance figures throughout much of its history.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, as they were originally known, joined Major League Baseball as part of the latest expansion alongside the Arizona Diamondbacks. Over time, they dropped “Devil” from their name and have managed to carve out a successful niche as a small-market team, despite facing challenges like a low payroll and inconsistent attendance.
Every few years, discussions about a new stadium to replace the aging Tropicana Field have emerged and fizzled out. This includes a failed proposal to relocate to Tampa’s Ybor City district and an effort to stay in St. Petersburg that seemed promising until Hurricane Milton in 2024 shifted local priorities. In March, the Rays withdrew from a $1.3 billion stadium deal with St. Petersburg.
Now, stadium discussions are back on the table, although the team has released few details. The Rays have a new ownership group with fresh plans for the future. Recently, they signed a nonbinding memorandum of agreement with Tampa’s Hillsborough College to develop a multiuse facility on a 113-acre site along Dale Mabry Boulevard. This location is conveniently situated across from Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and near George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training site for the New York Yankees.
When Would the Stadium be Built?
Details about the proposed stadium remain sparse, including whether it will feature a roof. The team has expressed a desire for a roof to mitigate delays during Florida’s rainy season and to provide relief from the oppressive summer humidity.
Ongoing discussions with Tampa officials aim to finalize the deal, with the agreement with Hillsborough College allowing for a six-month negotiation window. Previously, the Rays had been in talks with St. Petersburg and Pinellas County for a new ballpark adjacent to Tropicana Field. However, Hurricane Milton caused significant damage, forcing the team to play the entire 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field, which underwent a rapid transformation after the Yankees’ final spring training game.
Repairs at Tropicana Field are underway, and the team is expected to return to St. Petersburg for the 2026 season. The Rays are under lease at Tropicana Field through at least the 2028 baseball season. The hurricane’s destruction and rising repair costs contributed to Stuart Sternberg’s decision to withdraw from the proposed stadium deal and sell the team.
Opened in 1990 at a cost of $138 million, Tropicana Field boasted what was then the world’s largest cable-supported domed roof, made from translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass and supported by 180 miles of cables.
While playing at Steinbrenner Field, which has a capacity of 10,046, the Rays experienced 61 sellouts and drew 786,750 fans, a significant drop from 1,337,739 in 2024. In 2025, they ranked 29th in attendance among MLB teams, just ahead of the Athletics, who were playing in a minor league park while awaiting a new stadium in Las Vegas.
What Do We Know About the Proposed Stadium?
Currently, not much is known about the financial contributions from the team’s ownership or what they are requesting from local government entities. The new ownership aims to create an atmosphere similar to Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, which features a blend of shops, dining, and living spaces outside the stadium. However, specific details remain undisclosed.
The memorandum of understanding with Hillsborough College also includes plans for new campus facilities. Rays CEO Ken Babby emphasized the work ahead, stating, “We believe with conviction that we’re going to be able to create a world-class work-live-learn-play development here in Tampa Bay.”
The team acknowledged existing parking and access challenges at the proposed site but expressed commitment to collaborating with local authorities to address these issues. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has indicated that the state will not finance the stadium but may assist with relocating a juvenile justice facility on the property and potentially help fund infrastructure improvements.
Who are the New Owners of the Rays?
In September, a group led by Florida-based real estate developer Patrick Zalupski finalized the purchase of the team from former owner Stuart Sternberg. Zalupski, whose net worth is estimated at $1.4 billion, is the team’s control person and co-chair, alongside Bill Cosgrove, CEO of Union Home Mortgage.
The new CEO, Ken Babby, also leads Fast Forward Sports Group, which owns the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and the Double-A Akron RubberDucks. Stuart Sternberg, who took control of the team in 2005, oversaw its rebranding from the Devil Rays and led the team to multiple AL East titles and two World Series appearances.
Photo: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, near the site of the proposed Rays ballpark. (AdobeStock)
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
For nearly 28 years, since the Tampa Bay Rays played their inaugural game in St. Petersburg’s domed stadium, the team has been searching for a more advantageous deal. The location of Tropicana Field, situated across Tampa Bay from a larger population base in Tampa, has contributed to low attendance figures throughout much of its history.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, as they were originally known, joined Major League Baseball as part of the latest expansion alongside the Arizona Diamondbacks. Over time, they dropped “Devil” from their name and have managed to carve out a successful niche as a small-market team, despite facing challenges like a low payroll and inconsistent attendance.
Every few years, discussions about a new stadium to replace the aging Tropicana Field have emerged and fizzled out. This includes a failed proposal to relocate to Tampa’s Ybor City district and an effort to stay in St. Petersburg that seemed promising until Hurricane Milton in 2024 shifted local priorities. In March, the Rays withdrew from a $1.3 billion stadium deal with St. Petersburg.
Now, stadium discussions are back on the table, although the team has released few details. The Rays have a new ownership group with fresh plans for the future. Recently, they signed a nonbinding memorandum of agreement with Tampa’s Hillsborough College to develop a multiuse facility on a 113-acre site along Dale Mabry Boulevard. This location is conveniently situated across from Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and near George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training site for the New York Yankees.
When Would the Stadium be Built?
Details about the proposed stadium remain sparse, including whether it will feature a roof. The team has expressed a desire for a roof to mitigate delays during Florida’s rainy season and to provide relief from the oppressive summer humidity.
Ongoing discussions with Tampa officials aim to finalize the deal, with the agreement with Hillsborough College allowing for a six-month negotiation window. Previously, the Rays had been in talks with St. Petersburg and Pinellas County for a new ballpark adjacent to Tropicana Field. However, Hurricane Milton caused significant damage, forcing the team to play the entire 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field, which underwent a rapid transformation after the Yankees’ final spring training game.
Repairs at Tropicana Field are underway, and the team is expected to return to St. Petersburg for the 2026 season. The Rays are under lease at Tropicana Field through at least the 2028 baseball season. The hurricane’s destruction and rising repair costs contributed to Stuart Sternberg’s decision to withdraw from the proposed stadium deal and sell the team.
Opened in 1990 at a cost of $138 million, Tropicana Field boasted what was then the world’s largest cable-supported domed roof, made from translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass and supported by 180 miles of cables.
While playing at Steinbrenner Field, which has a capacity of 10,046, the Rays experienced 61 sellouts and drew 786,750 fans, a significant drop from 1,337,739 in 2024. In 2025, they ranked 29th in attendance among MLB teams, just ahead of the Athletics, who were playing in a minor league park while awaiting a new stadium in Las Vegas.
What Do We Know About the Proposed Stadium?
Currently, not much is known about the financial contributions from the team’s ownership or what they are requesting from local government entities. The new ownership aims to create an atmosphere similar to Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, which features a blend of shops, dining, and living spaces outside the stadium. However, specific details remain undisclosed.
The memorandum of understanding with Hillsborough College also includes plans for new campus facilities. Rays CEO Ken Babby emphasized the work ahead, stating, “We believe with conviction that we’re going to be able to create a world-class work-live-learn-play development here in Tampa Bay.”
The team acknowledged existing parking and access challenges at the proposed site but expressed commitment to collaborating with local authorities to address these issues. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has indicated that the state will not finance the stadium but may assist with relocating a juvenile justice facility on the property and potentially help fund infrastructure improvements.
Who are the New Owners of the Rays?
In September, a group led by Florida-based real estate developer Patrick Zalupski finalized the purchase of the team from former owner Stuart Sternberg. Zalupski, whose net worth is estimated at $1.4 billion, is the team’s control person and co-chair, alongside Bill Cosgrove, CEO of Union Home Mortgage.
The new CEO, Ken Babby, also leads Fast Forward Sports Group, which owns the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and the Double-A Akron RubberDucks. Stuart Sternberg, who took control of the team in 2005, oversaw its rebranding from the Devil Rays and led the team to multiple AL East titles and two World Series appearances.
Photo: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, near the site of the proposed Rays ballpark. (AdobeStock)
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
