If you’re checking the TV guide or your favorite sports app to see who do the rays play today, you might notice a distinct lack of green grass and pinstripes. Honestly, it’s January 15, 2026, and the St. Petersburg air is a little too crisp for a double-header.
The Tampa Bay Rays are not playing a game today.
Basically, we are in the heart of the MLB "Hot Stove" season. While there’s no live action at Tropicana Field this afternoon, the front office is busier than a 10th-inning rally. If you were hoping to catch a game, you've got a bit of a wait, but the countdown has officially started.
When is the Next Rays Game?
Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 21, 2026. That is the official kickoff for the Rays' Spring Training. They’ll be facing off against the Atlanta Braves at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte.
It’s always a weird vibe in February. You get veterans getting two at-bats before hitting the showers and minor league invites wearing numbers in the high 90s. But for a fan, it’s the first time you get to see how the new roster shakes out. Tickets actually just went on sale yesterday, January 14, so if you're looking to make the drive down I-75, now is the time to grab them.
The early Spring Training schedule looks like this:
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- Feb 21: vs. Atlanta Braves (Home)
- Feb 22: @ Pittsburgh Pirates (Away in Bradenton)
- Feb 23: vs. Boston Red Sox (Home)
- Feb 24: vs. Minnesota Twins (Home)
The 2026 Roster Shakeup You Need to Know
While you can't watch them play today, a lot happened this week that changes who will be on the field come Opening Day. Just a few days ago, on January 12, the Rays pulled off a trade with the Braves. They brought in left-hander Ken Waldichuk and infielder Brett Wisely.
Wisely is actually a familiar face—a former Tampa Bay farmhand. It’s a classic Rays move. They love bringing back guys they know, especially versatile utility players.
But it hasn't all been additions. This offseason has been kinda painful for long-time fans. The team traded away Brandon Lowe to the Pirates and sent Shane Baz to the Orioles in a massive December deal. Seeing Lowe in a different jersey is going to be jarring. He was a staple of the lineup for seven years.
The Stadium News Everyone is Buzzing About
If you’ve been following the local news today, the big story isn't a game—it's the future. New CEO Ken Babby just made a massive public commitment. He officially stated that the Rays intend to open their new ballpark by April 2029.
This isn't just about a stadium. It’s a $6.8 billion redevelopment of the Gas Plant District. Babby’s tone in recent interviews has been surprisingly urgent. He described the franchise as operating under "more strain than any other professional sports team in North America."
Why the drama? Well, the lease at the Trop is ticking down. There's media rights uncertainty. There's community fatigue. By setting a hard date of 2029, the leadership is trying to kill the "will they, won't they" relocation rumors once and for all.
How to Watch the Rays in 2026
When the season finally does start, the way you watch might look a bit different. Regional sports networks are still in a bit of a tailspin. Most games will likely still be on the same local sports channels, but keep an eye out for more streaming options.
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The team also announced their 2026 Fan Fest Block Party. Instead of holding it inside the dome, they’re taking it to the streets right outside Tropicana Field. It's a way to ring in the season with the community before the grind of 162 games begins.
Actionable Next Steps for Rays Fans
Even though there’s no game today, you don't have to sit on your hands. Here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Secure Spring Training Tickets: Since they went on sale yesterday (Jan 14), the prime weekend games against the Red Sox and Yankees will sell out fast. Check the official MLB site or the Port Charlotte box office.
- Monitor the Arbitration Deadline: The team just settled with nine players, including Josh Lowe and Ryan Pepiot, avoiding messy hearings. This stabilizes the payroll as they look for one more late-winter free agent signing.
- Track the World Baseball Classic: Keep an eye on Griffin Jax. He just joined Team USA for the 2026 WBC. The Rays also have an exhibition game against the Netherlands national team on March 4, which is a cool, rare matchup to see in person.
- Check Roster Updates: With Brandon Lowe gone, the second base spot is wide open. Watch how Brett Wisely and Richie Palacios compete for that spot during the early workouts in Port Charlotte.
The wait for baseball is always the hardest part of January. But with the stadium timeline finally set and the first spring pitch only five weeks away, the 2026 season is already starting to take shape.