Rays Unveil $2.3B Stadium Plans for Tampa Bay Relocation

The new ballpark is set to be the most intimate in Major League Baseball and introduce an unmatched, world-class fan experience.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The Tampa Bay Rays have released the first look of their new $2.3 billion stadium in Tampa Bay, which will be the team's new home starting in 2029. The Rays are relocating from St. Petersburg to Tampa Bay after their lease at Tropicana Field expires in 2028, with the new stadium set to be located on a 130-acre site in Tampa's Westshore District and Hillsborough College's Dale Mabry campus.

Why it matters

The Rays' move to a new state-of-the-art stadium in Tampa Bay is a significant development for the franchise and the region. It signals the team's long-term commitment to the area and provides an opportunity to enhance the fan experience and attract new supporters.

The details

The new Rays stadium will have an estimated capacity of 31,000, making it the most intimate in Major League Baseball. The team promises a "world-class fan experience" with diverse seating options, celebration areas, and year-round event spaces. The stadium will also be part of a larger development called "Champions Quarter" that will blend baseball and culture.

  • The Rays played the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees' spring training home, after Hurricane Milton severely damaged the roof of Tropicana Field.
  • The Rays' lease at Tropicana Field only runs through the 2028 season, so they need to have the new stadium ready by 2029.
  • MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed his support for the Rays' relocation and new stadium plans at a news conference on Tuesday.

The players

Rob Manfred

The Commissioner of Major League Baseball, who has consistently supported the Rays' presence in the Tampa Bay region and their plans for a new stadium.

Tampa Bay Rays

The professional baseball team that currently plays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, and is planning to relocate to a new $2.3 billion stadium in Tampa Bay starting in 2029.

Hillsborough College

The college whose Dale Mabry campus will be the location for the Rays' new stadium, which will also feature a partnership between the team and the college.

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What they’re saying

“One thing that has been consistent during my time as Commissioner was my view that Major League Baseball belongs in Tampa Bay. That support has been, I hope, clear and unwavering.”

— Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Major League Baseball (newsweek.com)

“There's great excitement about the new ownership group here with the Tampa Bay Rays. It's a great group. It's a big group. It's a Florida- and Tampa-rooted group, [which is] really important in terms of the local presence here. I know that this group wants to make baseball a success here. They want to get a new facility built, and they want to provide a winner to the Rays fans here in the Tampa Bay region.”

— Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Major League Baseball (newsweek.com)

What’s next

The Rays could extend their lease at Tropicana Field if they don't get the new stadium done in time, but they haven't addressed anything that far ahead. For now, they'll return to a repaired Tropicana Field and hope their plans for the new stadium in Tampa Bay come to fruition.

The takeaway

The Rays' relocation to a new $2.3 billion stadium in Tampa Bay represents a significant investment in the team's long-term future in the region. The new, more intimate ballpark and surrounding development promise to enhance the fan experience and solidify the Rays' place in the Tampa Bay community.