Rays Reverse Course on Tropicana Field Repairs, Aim for 2026 Return

The Rays have dramatically reversed their position on repairing the hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field, and they now intend for the ballpark to be ready for the 2026 season.

Just weeks after Rays co-president Brian Auld publicly questioned the restoration of the 35-year-old, publicly owned ballpark, the club sent a letter to the city of St. Petersburg, Fla., instead saying it “supports and expects” the work to be done in time for Opening Day of 2026.

“A partial 2026 season in Tropicana Field would present massive logistical and revenue challenges for the team,” Rays co-president Matt Silverman wrote in an email to St. Petersburg city administrator Rob Gerdes. “It is therefore critical that the rebuild start in earnest as soon as possible.”

Tropicana Field was badly damaged due to Hurricane Milton in early October, including the fabric roof being shredded. Initial estimates pointed to ballpark repairs costing $55.7 million and requiring about a year to complete. Soon after that projection, Auld said it was “next to impossible” for the team to get back into the ballpark for the 2026 season. 

Now, the club is conveying a very different sentiment. 

“We are empathetic to the business interruption faced by the Tampa Bay Rays due to the impacts of the hurricanes, and we appreciate the Rays indicating their preference for the future of Tropicana Field,” the city said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Rays—through participation in a collaborative working group—and with [the] city council to return Major League Baseball games to St. Petersburg.”

While the repair situation plays out, the Rays will play 2025 home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the Yankees’ spring training home. 

Bigger Discussions

The Rays, meanwhile, are still evaluating their situation regarding the planned $1.3 billion new ballpark in St. Petersburg. Both St. Petersburg and Pinellas County recently approved bond measures for the stadium development. 

The club, however, has said ballpark costs have “increased significantly, and we cannot absorb this increase alone”—likely setting the stage for further back-and-forth to come between the Rays and area officials. 

Amid that, there are again calls from local leaders for Rays owner Stu Sternberg to sell the franchise.

“Looks like a long road trip to start the ’26 season is in order,” Pinellas County Commission member Chris Latvala tweeted in response to the planned return to Tropicana Field. “Also—sell the team, Stu.”