• Loading stock data...
Thursday, April 24, 2025

Hurricane Milton Tears Most of Roof Off Rays’ Tropicana Field

  • Videos on social media showed the roof of the Rays’ stadium being torn to bits by high winds.
  • Millions are without power in Florida.
The intact Tropicana Field roof
Kim Klement-Imagn Images

High winds from Hurricane Milton destroyed most of the roof of the Rays’ home stadium, videos from Wednesday night showed.

The winds tore the panels off the metal frame of the famous Tropicana Field roof, leaving the St. Petersburg stadium exposed to the elements. 

The baseball stadium was supposed to be a staging ground for first responders as the hurricane lashes Florida, but a spokesperson for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said shortly after midnight that “this staging area was already relocated.” The Rays had said as much over the weekend, posting: “Tropicana Field is NOT being used as a shelter.”

The videos showed small remainders of the panels attached to the frame waving in the wind, while the Rays’ field—visible from the sky—was covered in debris from the destroyed panels.

A section of the Rays’ media guide about the roof and its fiberglass panels says the following about the roof:

  • It’s the “world’s largest cable-supported domed roof”
  • “It is made of six acres of translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass”
  • The roof is “built to withstand winds of up to 115 miles per hour”

The Rays told the Associated Press that all staff inside the stadium Wednesday night were safe.

The devastating effects of the hurricane on Florida were only becoming clear Thursday morning. St. Petersburg was under a boil water notice after a water main broke, while millions were without power in the region. A handful of deaths were confirmed by Thursday morning.

It’s not at all clear what the prognosis is for the Rays and the stadium now that the fiberglass panels have largely been destroyed. The Rays, scheduled to move into a new St. Petersburg ballpark in 2028, play in MLB’s last permanently domed stadium. (The other teams—largely in the Sun Belt—that play indoors have retractable roofs.)

“We are fortunate and grateful that no one was hurt by the damage to our ballpark last night,” the Rays said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “Over the coming days and weeks, we expect to be able to assess the true condition of Tropicana Field. In the meantime, we are working with law enforcement to secure the building.”

An NBA preseason game scheduled between the Magic and Pelicans for Friday was canceled.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NC State women's cross country

Judge Threatens to Reject $2.8 Billion House v. NCAA Settlement

The NCAA and power conferences could end up at trial.
Apr 14, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; a general view of the stadium during a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Rays See Sharp Attendance Drop in Temporary Home Amid Uncertainty

Some amenities are praised, but home attendance drops at the temporary site.
Olympic rings

SafeSport Fires CEO Amid Scandal

Ju’Riese Colón was hired in 2019, two years after the agency’s founding.
Cristina Daglas
exclusive

ESPN Executive Editor Cristina Daglas Out After HR Investigation

Daglas was placed on administrative leave in January.

Featured Today

Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards
April 21, 2025

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with guard Isaiah Joe (11) after score in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
April 20, 2025

Unorthodox OKC: The Thunder Redefined Tanking to Become NBA’s Best

A rebuild years in the making has OKC in the driver’s seat.
Mar 13, 2020; Augusta, GA, USA; The front entrance at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday morning. The Masters Tournament has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.
opinion
April 20, 2025

What’s It Like to Play Augusta? A Day on the World’s Most..

Inside a round at the most exclusive club in the world.
Rendering for Bridgestone Arena

Predators Unveil $650M Plan to Keep Pace With NHL’s Venue Race

The NHL team has big plans for the 28-year-old Nashville arena.
April 16, 2025

Sabres’ Struggles Extend Off the Ice As Arena Ownership Battle Brews

The 29-year-old arena needs extensive renovations.
RFK
April 17, 2025

Commanders Plan $3B Return to RFK Stadium Site—With Some Opponents

A potential deal calls for a new stadium costing more than $3 billion.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
April 10, 2025

Denver’s $200M NWSL Stadium Plan Hits Roadblock Over Funding

City council members question the proposed use of public funds.
Apr 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Endy Rodriguez (5) and catcher Joey Bart (14) collide attempting to catch a pop-up hit by St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Willson Contreras (not pictured) during the eighth inning at PNC Park.
April 9, 2025

Pirates Facing Fan Backlash Over Dumping Bricks and Clemente

Fans’ “Bucco Bricks” were found at a recycling facility.
April 3, 2025

Tropicana Field Roof Repair Gets Approval: Will Rays Return in 2026?

The Rays could return to the ballpark in 2026.
April 2, 2025

New Masters Look Post-Hurricane: Augusta Has Fewer Trees, Fresh Greens

The home of The Masters suffered damage from Hurricane Helene in September.