Rays Return to Renovated Tropicana Field After Hurricane Damage

The Tampa Bay Rays are back home after playing a season at a minor league stadium due to extensive repairs at their longtime ballpark.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:05am

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The Tampa Bay Rays will return to their home stadium, Tropicana Field, on Monday for the first time in 18 months after the venue underwent major renovations following damage from Hurricane Milton in 2024. The $60 million in repairs included replacing the roof, upgrading luxury suites and the video board, and installing new artificial turf and other infrastructure. The Rays played their 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees, while the work was completed.

Why it matters

The Rays' return to Tropicana Field, their home since 1998, marks an important milestone for the franchise and the city of St. Petersburg. The extensive renovations were necessary to restore the quirky stadium to playing condition after the hurricane damage, allowing the team to resume playing in front of their loyal fanbase. However, the Rays' long-term future in St. Petersburg remains uncertain, as the team's new ownership group is pursuing a new ballpark in Tampa.

The details

Hurricane Milton swept through downtown St. Petersburg in October 2024, causing extensive damage to Tropicana Field. High winds ripped sections of the original roof, allowing rain to pour into the stadium bowl for months and leading to mold and electrical, sound, and broadcast system damage. There was initial doubt about whether the Rays would ever play at the Trop again, but nearly $60 million was ultimately spent to replace the roof and rebuild the stadium. The renovations included upgrades to luxury suites, the video board, artificial turf, home-plate club seats, the clubhouse, and other infrastructure.

  • Hurricane Milton caused damage to Tropicana Field on October 9, 2024.
  • The new roof was installed in August 2025, and the final panel was put in place on November 21, 2025.
  • The Rays played their 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa while Tropicana Field underwent renovations.

The players

Tampa Bay Rays

The professional baseball team that has played at Tropicana Field since their debut in 1998.

Kevin Cash

The manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Griffin Jax

A relief pitcher who joined the Rays in July 2025 after the team played a season at Steinbrenner Field.

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What they’re saying

“I think guys are excited, and rightfully so. Our organization has worked incredibly hard and the city and the county, to get it back up to speed. I briefly walked through there, couldn't be more impressed with the way it looks, and excited to see our fans. I think our guys are going to appreciate just having our fans in the building, cheering us on for our opening day.”

— Kevin Cash, Rays Manager

“I'm just really excited to get back in the Trop. I always enjoy going there as a visitor. It'll be cool to see all the new renovations and upgrades they made along the way. We've seen it a handful of times walking through and seeing pictures and stuff. It looks great. It'll be good to be back in our home.”

— Griffin Jax, Rays Reliever

What’s next

The Rays are under lease to play at Tropicana Field through at least the 2028 season, but the team's new ownership group is pursuing a new ballpark that would be built in Tampa, near the Yankees' spring training complex and Raymond James Stadium.

The takeaway

The Rays' return to their longtime home of Tropicana Field after extensive hurricane-related renovations is a significant milestone for the franchise and the city of St. Petersburg. However, the team's long-term future in the quirky stadium remains uncertain as the new ownership explores building a new ballpark in Tampa.