The Tampa Bay Rays Find Temporary Home at Steinbrenner Field
In an unexpected turn of events following the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton, the Tampa Bay Rays have found themselves seeking refuge at Steinbrenner Field for the entirety of the 2025 Major League Baseball season. The team, left with no viable option due to substantial damage at their usual home of Tropicana Field, is set to share the facilities traditionally used by the New York Yankees for spring training and their A-ball affiliate, the Tampa Tarpons.
Hurricane Milton, which swept through the region with unrelenting fury, left behind a trail of destruction, rendering Tropicana Field unfit for professional play. The posh confines of Steinbrenner Field, located in the heart of Tampa, Florida, will now serve as a shelter for the Rays amid this challenging chapter. Despite the backdrop of this relocation being one of necessity rather than choice, there remains a sense of optimism as the Rays aim to make the best of the situation.
Rays owner Stuart Sternberg expressed his gratitude regarding this temporary arrangement. "The hurricane damage to Tropicana Field has forced us to take some extraordinary steps," Sternberg noted. "We deeply appreciate that the Yankees have graciously allowed us to play at Steinbrenner Field for the 2025 season."
While accommodating up to 11,000 fans, Steinbrenner Field offers a smaller capacity compared to the Rays' average attendance of just over 16,500 paid tickets per game during the 2024 season. Such a reduction in fan presence poses both logistical and financial implications for the team, yet the Rays leadership remains resolute in their anticipation of waving goodbye to these temporary measures when Tropicana Field repairs reach completion.
The St. Petersburg City Council is projecting that the restorative efforts at Tropicana Field, entailing an estimated cost exceeding $55 million, will be concluded in time for the 2026 season. This repair timeline is crucial for returning the Rays to their natural home environment, a feat deemed necessary to maintain the team's competitive and financial stability.
The upcoming season at Steinbrenner Field will necessitate meticulous coordination, particularly with the schedules of the Tampa Tarpons. Notably, the Minor League Baseball schedules for the 2025 season were confirmed this past August, providing a framework around which the Rays and the Tarpons can navigate their shared field time.
Amid these difficult adjustments, the Rays also have their sights set on yet another significant move in the near future: a relocation to a new stadium by the 2028 season. This looming transition hints at a period of significant growth and change for the franchise, reflecting both resilience in adverse conditions and ambition for progress beyond temporary setbacks.
As the Rays prepare to adapt to these temporary accommodations, the team's management and fans alike remain hopeful for a smooth transition back to Tropicana Field and eventually, to their long-term plans in a new ballpark. In navigating the complexities of this interim period, the Rays are once more showcasing their agility and commitment to continuing their storied presence in Major League Baseball. While circumstances have demanded unexpected decisions, the Rays are steadfast in their pursuit of fielding a competitive team, regardless of the venue.