The Rays still don’t have a finalized deal to build their planned $2.3 billion ballpark in Tampa, but the MLB club is increasingly talking about what the stadium will look like.
Rays CEO Ken Babby detailed the design for the ballpark interior during Wednesday night’s game against the Yankees, showcasing a vision that includes a translucent roof, an intimate seating bowl with a 30,000-person capacity, and a new iteration of the ray tank that has been a fixture at Tropicana Field.
“Ballpark design is always in motion, but we felt it was time to pause and share with our fans where we are today and anticipate going in the future,” Babby said. “What we are unveiling is a response to what Rays have told us they want—a comfortable and inviting ballpark that honors the intimate connection between fans and the game, while at the same incorporating modern amenities and design innovations that they expect and deserve.”
The Rays, meanwhile, have been one of the surprise stories of the 2026 MLB season as the league nears next week’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia. After losing campaigns in 2024 and 2025 and an ownership shift last fall to the Patrick Zalupski-led group, the Rays have opened up a five-game lead in the American League East division over the Yankees this season and has the AL’s best overall record.
Tampa third baseman Junior Caminero is emerging into a bona fide star, as he will start for the AL in the All-Star Game and compete in Monday’s Home Run Derby.
That’s all happening despite a Rays luxury-tax payroll of $109 million that ranks 28th in MLB.
Political Realities
The new ballpark, however, is not necessarily a sure thing to happen. The club did narrowly secure city of Tampa and Hillsborough County approval in May on a non-binding memorandum of understanding regarding the stadium. That document outlines a framework in which the Rays will pay $1.3 billion, plus all cost overruns, while taxpayers will contribute no more than $976 million.
A binding agreement is still in development, as are multiple financial and land-use reviews. Political support, particularly on the Tampa City Council, is still uncertain. Negotiations with city and council leaders are ongoing, and there will almost certainly be changes from the funding package originally discussed in May.
The clock is also ticking, as the Rays intend to complete the funding deal and begin construction later this year in advance of an intended ballpark opening in early 2029.
“The process continues to move forward,” Babby said.
The Rays are also seeking a large, mixed-use development at the stadium site at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry Campus, modeled in part after The Battery in Atlanta.
The neighboring NFL Buccaneers, meanwhile, are pursuing their own upgrades to Raymond James Stadium, and are thought by some Tampa-area leaders to be ahead of the Rays in the line for public money.
“I think most of us have talked to the Buccaneers at this point, and we’re going to be writing a very large check in the very near future for Raymond James Stadium,” said Tampa Sports Authority board member Tony Muniz in May regarding the publicly-owned football stadium. “And that’s our priority.”
