The Tampa Bay Rays are set to make their return to Tropicana Field for the 2026 MLB season, following a year of playing at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa due to extensive damage caused by Hurricane Milton in October 2024. The team announced the news on Wednesday, marking the start of ticket sales and outlining upgrades for fans.
Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc on Tropicana Field, shredding its iconic translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass roof and causing significant interior damage. The storm’s high winds destroyed 18 of the 24 roof panels, leading to repair costs estimated at $55.7 million, including $22.5 million for a new roof. While the stadium remained structurally sound, the repairs could not be completed in time for the 2025 season, prompting the Rays to relocate temporarily to Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees.
During their 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field, the Rays posted a 41-40 home record, selling out 61 of 81 games and drawing 786,750 fans in the smaller 11,026-seat capacity stadium. However, the open-air ballpark presented challenges, with 17 rain delays totaling nearly 18 hours due to Florida’s unpredictable weather.
“We are excited to return home to Tropicana Field in April and to once again join our fans and neighboring businesses in downtown St. Petersburg in celebrating the return of Rays baseball,” said team CEO Ken Babby in a statement. The Rays will kick off their 2026 home schedule on April 6 against the Chicago Cubs, following a nine-game road trip to start the season.
Fans can look forward to an enhanced Tropicana Field experience, with upgrades including an expanded main videoboard, new video displays behind home plate and along both foul poles, a revamped sound system, and refreshed suite interiors. Ticket prices have been reduced by an average of 15% for over two-thirds of seats, with $10 tickets available for all home games. The team also introduced an Opening Day “BOGO” offer, providing a free ticket for an April or May game with the purchase of an opener ticket between November 12-16.
The Rays’ return to Tropicana Field comes under new ownership, led by Florida-based developer Patrick Zalupski, who acquired the team in a $1.7 billion sale in September 2025. While plans for a new ballpark by 2029 are in discussion, the focus remains on restoring Tropicana Field, which has been the Rays’ home since their inaugural 1998 season. The team also plans to honor franchise icon Evan Longoria, with events and his induction into the Rays Hall of Fame scheduled for a July series against the Seattle Mariners.
