Opening Day Returns to The Trop

The Tampa Rays host the Chicago Cubs at Tropicana Field, which underwent a $60 million repair project after Hurricane Milton damaged the stadium in 2024.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:39pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors, capturing the dynamic motion and energy of baseball players on the field, with the stadium's architecture faintly visible in the background.The return of Opening Day to Tropicana Field brings a burst of energy and optimism to the Tampa Rays and their fans, despite the stadium's uncertain long-term future.Today in Tampa

After a tumultuous few years that saw the Tampa Rays' home stadium, Tropicana Field, severely damaged by Hurricane Milton in 2024, Opening Day has returned to The Trop. The $60 million repair project, funded in part by FEMA, has restored the stadium to playing condition, allowing the Rays to host the Chicago Cubs on Monday.

Why it matters

The return of Opening Day to Tropicana Field is a significant milestone for the Rays and their fans, who have weathered uncertainty over the team's future home. The stadium has been the subject of ongoing discussions between the team, local governments, and taxpayers regarding potential new stadium projects, making this a symbolic moment in the team's history.

The details

The Rays were forced to play the 2025 season at the New York Yankees' spring training facility after the Tropicana Field roof was torn open by Hurricane Milton in October 2024. A $60 million repair project, with $16.5 million in FEMA funding, has now restored the stadium to playing condition, allowing the Rays to return home for the 2026 season opener against the Chicago Cubs.

  • The Tropicana Field roof was damaged by Hurricane Milton on October 9, 2024.
  • In November 2024, Pinellas County commissioners voted to postpone a $312.5 million bond issue for a proposed $1.2 billion domed stadium project in the Historic Gas Plant District.
  • The Rays played the 2025 season at the New York Yankees' spring training facility.
  • The $60 million repair project at Tropicana Field was completed in time for the 2026 Opening Day game against the Chicago Cubs on April 6.

The players

Ken Babby

The CEO of the Tampa Rays, who said the $60 million repair project has made Tropicana Field a 'special' place for fans to return to.

Patrick Zalupski

The managing partner of the new ownership group that succeeded Stu Sternberg, who said the team intends to remain in Tampa and secure a new fixed-roof, domed stadium home for the 2029 season.

Stu Sternberg

The previous owner of the Tampa Rays.

Hillsborough College District Board of Trustees

The board that approved a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with the Rays to redevelop the 113-acre Dale Mabry campus in Tampa as a potential new stadium site.

Pinellas County Commissioners

The commissioners who voted to postpone a $312.5 million bond issue for the proposed $1.2 billion domed stadium project in the Historic Gas Plant District after Hurricane Milton.

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What they’re saying

“This is a truly heroic effort. It was not long ago that we looked at this building and wondered, 'Could baseball ever be played here again?' Not only is this building going to be special on April 6, but our fans are going to walk in and see Tropicana Field in a whole new way.”

— Ken Babby, CEO, Tampa Rays

“Ideal, he said, would be a site of 100 acres supporting retail shops, bars, restaurants and other amenities.”

— Patrick Zalupski, Managing Partner, Tampa Rays

What’s next

The Rays and Hillsborough College District Board of Trustees will continue their exclusive 180-day negotiation period to potentially redevelop the 113-acre Dale Mabry campus as a new stadium site.

The takeaway

The return of Opening Day to Tropicana Field, after a tumultuous period that saw the stadium severely damaged by a hurricane, represents a symbolic moment of resilience for the Tampa Rays and their fans. However, the team's long-term future in the Tampa Bay area remains uncertain, with ongoing discussions about a potential new stadium project.