Tampa Bay Rays Abandon $1.3 Billion St. Petersburg Ballpark Project

The team cited hurricane damage, financial delays, and rising costs as reasons for halting the stadium plans.

The Tampa Bay Rays announced they will not proceed with the planned $1.3 billion stadium in St. Petersburg's Historic Gas Plant District.
Hurricane Milton in October caused significant damage to Tropicana Field, complicating the team's ability to meet financing deadlines for the new project.
The Rays will play their 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the New York Yankees' spring training facility, which has an 11,000-seat capacity.
Repairs to Tropicana Field, including replacing the roof damaged by the hurricane, are expected to make the stadium usable again for the 2026 season.
The team stated its commitment to finding a long-term ballpark solution that benefits the region, Major League Baseball, and the organization.