Friday, October 16, 2026

Rays Want New Domed Stadium, Development in St. Pete

  • The Tampa Bay Rays released plans for a new stadium near their current home, Tropicana Field.
  • The team also seeks to build housing, retail, hotels, senior living, and a performance venue.
Rendering of proposed renovations for Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field
Tampa Bay Rays

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

The Tampa Bay Rays have a vision for a new home in St. Petersburg.

The team, which has lived with an uncertain stadium future for years, released details and renderings of a proposed new home east of their current stadium, Tropicana Field. 

  • The proposal, developed with architecture firm Populous, calls for a fixed roof that can let in diffused light, large glass side windows which could be opened and closed, and a turf field.
  • The roughly 30,000-capacity venue with no upper deck seating would likely cost more than $1 billion.
  • Pending approvals, the Rays could move to the new stadium in 2028, after their lease at Tropicana expires the previous year. 

The team is working with real estate firm Hines, who developed the San Diego Padres’ Petco Park. 

Rob-Manfred-MLB

MLB Commish Doubtful Oakland Will Keep A’s

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is pessimistic on the A’s staying in Oakland.
October 31, 2022

More Than a Stadium

The Rays’ proposal follows the recent trend of making a sports venue the centerpiece of a new housing and retail area in the Historic Gas Plant District.

The team would like to build 5,700 multi-family units, 1.4 million square feet of office space, 300,000 square feet of retail, 700 hotel rooms, 600 senior living residences, and a 2,500 capacity entertainment venue.

The Rays previously pursued a unique arrangement that would have had them split home games between St. Petersburg or Tampa and Montreal, but Major League Baseball quashed that plan. 

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred expressed confidence in October that the team will remain in the region.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/16/26 – Aikman Eyes Free Agency, CFP Nears 24 Teams, Stoudemire Becomes Cop

0:00

Featured Today

Cubs behind the scenes

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.
October 2, 2026

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.
Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025
September 28, 2026

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.

Atlanta Dream to Use Entire NBA Arena for WNBA Finals

The Dream have averaged about 9,700 fans per game during the playoffs.
October 9, 2026

Royals $3 Billion Ballpark Development Gets Key Approval

The city council overwhelmingly approved three stadium-related measures.
October 14, 2026

Bears Stadium Fight Erupts During Illinois Governor’s Debate

The stadium debate has become a flashpoint in the political race.
Sponsored

The State of AI in Sports 2026

Front Office Sports and Teamworks reveal how AI is reshaping sports in the first industry-wide report on adoption, investment, and impact.
Dec 24, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; General view of the exterior of Arrowhead Stadium (left) and Kaufmann Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
October 7, 2026

Arrowhead Stays, Kauffman Goes in County’s Post-Chiefs, Royals Plan

County officials are looking to repurpose the stadium area.
October 2, 2026

NFL Puts Pressure on Illinois in Latest Bears Stadium Talks

Roger Goodell and JB Pritzker had their first face-to-face meeting.
Apr 26, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) drives to the basket during the first half against Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center.
September 29, 2026

Trail Blazers Affirm Commitment to Stay in Portland

Team president said they’re aiming to finalize a lease extension and renovation deal.
Sep 17, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) runs to score a touchdown during the first half against the Detroit Lions at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
September 17, 2026

Bills Mafia Steals the Show in $2.2B Highmark Stadium Debut

The new stadium easily transcended its league-low seating capacity.