- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Rays Return to Tropicana Field After Hurricane Repairs
The Tampa Bay Rays play their first home game at the renovated stadium since Hurricane Milton caused major damage.
Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:53am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The Tampa Bay Rays are set to return to Tropicana Field for the first time since Hurricane Milton ripped the roof off the stadium and caused extensive water damage to the interior. Over $50 million in repairs have been completed in the past 18 months, and the team is welcoming fans back with a $10 credit for food and merchandise during April home games.
Why it matters
The Rays' return to Tropicana Field is a symbolic moment for the St. Petersburg community, which was hit hard by Hurricane Milton. The stadium's restoration represents the resilience and recovery of the area, and the team's home opener is expected to draw a sold-out crowd eager to support their local baseball team.
The details
The hurricane damage to Tropicana Field was severe, with the storm ripping the roof off the stadium and causing significant water damage to the interior. Repair crews have been working for the past 18 months to restore the facility, with more than $50 million invested in the project. The Rays' Chief Business Officer, Bill Walsh, has described the stadium as the 'poster child' for the community's recovery efforts.
- Hurricane Milton struck the St. Petersburg area in 2024, causing major damage to Tropicana Field.
- Repair work on the stadium began in the months following the hurricane and has taken 18 months to complete.
- The Rays will play their first home game at the renovated Tropicana Field on Monday, April 6, 2026.
The players
Bill Walsh
The Chief Business Officer of the Tampa Bay Rays, who has described Tropicana Field as the 'poster child' for the community's recovery efforts following Hurricane Milton.
Eric Church
A country music artist who will perform the national anthem at the Rays' home opener.
What they’re saying
“Frankly, the Trop and what happened to the roof was, in many ways, the poster child for what happened to this entire community, and what happened to this entire community. The resilience of building back and coming back bigger and better and stronger than ever is, I think, a narrative that everyone really resonates with.”
— Bill Walsh, Chief Business Officer, Tampa Bay Rays
What’s next
The St. Petersburg City Council is scheduled to vote on officially terminating a deal to build a new stadium for the Rays, now that the repairs to Tropicana Field are complete.
The takeaway
The Rays' return to Tropicana Field after the extensive hurricane damage represents the resilience and recovery of the St. Petersburg community. The $50 million in repairs and the team's efforts to welcome fans back with special promotions demonstrate the importance of the Rays to the local area and the shared sense of pride in overcoming the challenges posed by the natural disaster.
