If you walked into the Gas Plant District in St. Petersburg last summer looking for a ballgame, you would’ve found a ghost town. Honestly, it was surreal. The lights were off, the gates were locked, and the "Trop" looked like a skeleton of its former self. After Hurricane Milton tore the roof off Tropicana Field in late 2024, the team was basically homeless for a minute.
They spent the 2025 season as tenants at George M. Steinbrenner Field over in Tampa. It was a weird vibe—outdoor baseball in the Florida humidity, rain delays that felt like they’d never end, and fans trying to figure out if the team was ever coming back across the Howard Frankland Bridge.
But the wait is over. The Rays are officially heading back to St. Pete.
The Return to the Trop: Where Do The Tampa Bay Rays Play in 2026?
The short answer? They’re back home. Starting April 6, 2026, the Tampa Bay Rays play at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
It wasn't a guarantee for a long time. There was a lot of talk about the cost of the repairs—nearly $60 million—and whether it was worth fixing a building that’s eventually slated for demolition anyway. But the City of St. Petersburg was legally on the hook to provide a stadium through 2028. So, the construction crews moved in, and the transformation began.
The most obvious change is the roof. The old one was shredded like paper. The new one is a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) membrane, which is a fancy way of saying it's way thicker and tougher. While the old roof was rated for 115 mph winds, this new German-engineered setup is built to withstand 165 mph. It’s basically built to survive a Category 5 storm.
What to expect at the "New" Tropicana Field
When you walk in for the home opener against the Chicago Cubs, it’s not going to feel like the same old dinge. The new ownership group, led by Patrick Zalupski, has been pouring money into making the fan experience less "concrete bunker" and more "modern ballpark."
- The Screen: They’ve expanded the main videoboard and added new displays behind home plate.
- The Sound: If you ever struggled to hear the PA announcer over the echo, they’ve installed a completely redesigned audio system.
- The Turf: Since the old field was exposed to the elements for months, it was trashed. New turf was laid down in January 2026.
- The Price: Here’s something you don't hear often in sports—ticket prices actually went down. More than two-thirds of the seats are 15% cheaper than they were in 2024, and those $10 tickets are back for every single game.
The 2026 Schedule: A Slow Start Home
Even though the stadium is ready, the Rays aren't actually opening the MLB season in St. Pete. They’re starting on a long road trip to give the stadium crews every possible second to polish the railings and test the fountain.
They open the season on March 26 against the Cardinals in St. Louis, followed by trips to Milwaukee and Minnesota. By the time they fly back to Florida for that April 6 matchup with the Cubs, the city is going to be buzzing. There’s even a massive celebration planned for July to honor Evan Longoria, which had to be postponed because of the stadium damage.
Why the Location Debate is Still Raging
Now, just because they’re at the Trop today doesn't mean they’ll be there forever. This is where it gets complicated. The Rays are only committed to Tropicana Field until the end of the 2028 season.
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Right now, as of January 2026, the big news is the Hillsborough Community College (HCC) Dale Mabry campus. The team’s ownership is eyeing a 100-acre site in Tampa, right near Raymond James Stadium. They want to build something similar to "The Battery" in Atlanta—a massive mixed-use district with shops, bars, and a brand-new ballpark.
St. Petersburg isn't giving up without a fight, though. Mayor Ken Welch is still pushing for the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District, which could include a new stadium if the Rays decide to stay put. But honestly? The momentum feels like it's shifting toward Tampa. The HCC Board of Trustees is even holding a special meeting on January 20th to vote on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would start the process of moving the team across the bay permanently by 2029.
Comparing the Current and Future Homes
| Feature | Tropicana Field (Current) | Potential Tampa Site (2029+) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Downtown St. Pete | Near Westshore/Airport |
| Roof | Fixed Dome (New PTFE) | TBD (Likely Retractable/Permanent Canopy) |
| Vibe | Traditional Indoor Ballpark | "Live-Work-Play" Entertainment District |
| Capacity | ~25,000 - 42,000 | Targeted ~30,000 |
Expert Tips for Visiting the Trop in 2026
If you're planning to catch a game this year, things are a little different than the last time you were there.
First, use the MLB Ballpark App. The Rays have gone almost entirely digital for tickets and parking. Speaking of parking, try to prepay. With the surrounding area under various stages of redevelopment, spots are getting harder to find.
Second, check out the Rays Pop-Up Team Store on 1st Ave South. They have a "Premium Preview Center" where you can actually see replicas of the new seating and take a virtual tour of the stadium upgrades before you buy your tickets. It’s a cool way to see exactly what $60 million in repairs looks like without having to dodge a construction crane.
Lastly, don't sleep on the $10 tickets. In an era where a beer costs $14, being able to get into a Major League game for ten bucks is a steal. They’re available for every home game, but they go fast, especially for the Yankees and Red Sox series.
What to do next
- Download the MLB Ballpark App and link your account so you're ready when single-game tickets for the summer stretch go on sale.
- Plan your route to avoid the construction on the I-275 and Gandy exits, as traffic patterns in St. Pete have shifted significantly since the stadium repairs began.
- Keep an eye on the January 20th HCC board meeting results if you want to know if this is truly the beginning of the end for baseball in St. Petersburg.