A New Home for the Rays
The Hillsborough County Commission voted 5‑2 on Tuesday to give preliminary approval to a $2.3 billion stadium plan that would replace the franchise’s long‑time home in St. Petersburg. The measure unlocks public financing and moves the proposal to the Tampa City Council, where elected officials will negotiate the final terms of a deal that could reshape the team’s future.
Under the proposal, the Rays would shoulder roughly half of the construction cost, about $1.27 billion, while the county would contribute $796 million and the city would add $180 million drawn from existing sales‑tax revenues and other sources. No new taxes would be levied for the project, and Hillsborough County would retain ownership of the facility, leasing it to the club for 35 years.
The envisioned ballpark, slated for a 2029 opening and a capacity of roughly 31,000 seats, would sit on the campus of Hillsborough College in Tampa. The site would also receive a $150 million state allocation earmarked for college renovations, road upgrades and related infrastructure, though none of that money would be directed toward the stadium itself.
The Rays have called Tropicana Field their home since 1998, but the venue suffered roof damage during Hurricane Milton in 2024, forcing a temporary move to Steinbrenner Field in Tampa before the stadium was repaired and the team returned. The new arena is intended to secure the franchise’s long‑term presence in the Tampa Bay market, keeping the team in the region for decades to come.
Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly pledged support for the plan, while local officials remain divided. Some community advocates have called for a voter referendum on the use of public funds, reflecting the ongoing debate over the balance between sports investment and other public priorities.