Voters Oppose Using Sales Tax for New Rays Stadium

Poll shows Tampa Bay residents support the Rays but don't want public funds for a new stadium.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:54pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a baseball stadium, with players and field elements broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of muted blue, green, and grey tones, conceptually representing the public opposition to using taxpayer money for a new Rays ballpark.A poll of Hillsborough County voters reveals deep skepticism about using public funds to build a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays.Today in Tampa

A new poll commissioned by a member of the Hillsborough County Sports Authority found that while Tampa Bay residents generally support the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, they overwhelmingly oppose using public sales tax money to help fund a new stadium for the team. The survey of over 500 likely Hillsborough County voters asked 16 questions about the proposed stadium plan.

Why it matters

The Rays have been searching for a new stadium location for years, with Tampa and St. Petersburg both vying to keep the team. This poll suggests that any plan to use public funds for a new stadium may face significant voter opposition, potentially complicating the team's efforts to secure a new home.

The details

The poll found that 68% of respondents opposed using sales tax money to help pay for a new Rays stadium, while only 27% supported the idea. Voters were more split on whether the team should remain in the Tampa Bay area, with 53% saying the Rays should stay and 39% saying the team should relocate.

  • The poll was conducted in early April 2026.

The players

Hillsborough County Sports Authority

A local government agency that oversees sports and entertainment facilities in Hillsborough County, Florida.

Tampa Bay Rays

A Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida that plays in the American League East division.

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What they’re saying

“This poll shows that Hillsborough County voters are not willing to foot the bill for a new Rays stadium through their sales taxes.”

— Nicolas Villamil, Regional Reporter

“The Rays have struggled to find a suitable location for a new stadium, and this poll suggests they may face an uphill battle convincing voters to support public funding.”

— Nina Moske, Tampa Reporter

What’s next

The Hillsborough County Sports Authority will likely use the results of this poll to inform their ongoing negotiations with the Rays about a potential new stadium location and funding plan.

The takeaway

While Tampa Bay residents generally support keeping the Rays in the region, they are unwilling to use their sales tax dollars to fund a new stadium for the team. The Rays will need to find an alternative financing plan that does not rely on public funds if they want to build a new home in the area.