What Happened to Tropicana Field?
Tropicana Field, originally opened in 1990, served as the home of the Tampa Bay Rays (formerly Devil Rays) since 1998. After suffering extensive damage from Hurricane Milton in October 2024, forcing the Rays to play the 2025 season elsewhere, the stadium underwent significant repairs and reopened for the 2026 MLB season. The Tampa Bay Rays are now slated to vacate Tropicana Field after the 2028 season for a new stadium in Tampa, with the Tropicana Field site planned for a major mixed-use redevelopment.
Quick Answer
Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays, reopened in April 2026 after sustaining severe roof damage from Hurricane Milton in October 2024, which forced the team to play the 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The stadium is currently operational for the Rays, but its long-term future is set. The Tampa Bay Rays have secured funding and approvals for a new $2.36 billion stadium in Tampa, expected to open in 2029, marking the end of Tropicana Field's tenure as a major league ballpark. The site in St. Petersburg is slated for demolition and a comprehensive mixed-use redevelopment, with plans for housing, retail, offices, and a museum.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Florida Suncoast Dome Opens
The facility, initially named the Florida Suncoast Dome, opens to the public at a cost of $138 million, built without a specific MLB team in place.
Becomes the ThunderDome
The National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning move into the facility, renaming it the ThunderDome, where they play for three seasons.
Renamed Tropicana Field
Tropicana Products signs a 30-year naming rights deal, and the stadium is renamed Tropicana Field. The facility then undergoes an $85 million renovation to prepare for baseball.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays Play First Game
The newly formed Tampa Bay Devil Rays play their first regular-season MLB game at Tropicana Field against the Detroit Tigers.
Stuart Sternberg Takes Control of Rays
Minority owner Stuart Sternberg takes control of the Tampa Bay Rays, initiating a long-term search for a new ballpark to replace the aging Tropicana Field.
Hurricane Milton Damages Tropicana Field
Hurricane Milton strikes Florida's Gulf Coast, severely damaging Tropicana Field's roof and rendering the stadium unplayable.
Rays Relocate Home Games to Tampa
Due to the extensive hurricane damage, the Tampa Bay Rays play their entire 2025 home season at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
Rays Abandon St. Pete Redevelopment Deal
Citing hurricane damage and rising costs, the Rays abandon a previously approved $1.3 billion project to construct a new stadium adjacent to Tropicana Field.
Rays Franchise Sold to New Ownership Group
Patrick Zalupski leads a group that completes the purchase of the Tampa Bay Rays franchise, ending Stuart Sternberg's two-decade tenure as principal owner.
Final Roof Panel Installed at Tropicana Field
Workers install the final roof panel at Tropicana Field as part of the $57.7 million renovation efforts, signaling the stadium's readiness for the 2026 season.
Tropicana Field Reopens for Rays' Home Opener
After extensive repairs, Tropicana Field reopens to a sellout crowd for the Tampa Bay Rays' 2026 home opener against the Chicago Cubs.
St. Pete Selects Redevelopment Bid for Trop Site
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch accepts Blake Investment Partners' $275 million 'Burg Bid' to redevelop the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District, including the Tropicana Field site, after the Rays depart.
Tampa Approves New Rays Stadium Funding
The Hillsborough County Commission votes 5-2 to approve its $796 million share for a new $2.36 billion Rays stadium in Tampa, following the Tampa City Council's 4-3 approval of $80 million the previous day.
Groundbreaking for New Tampa Stadium Targeted
With local government approvals secured, groundbreaking for the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium on the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry campus is targeted to begin this month, aiming for a March 2029 opening.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Tropicana Field, initially known as the Florida Suncoast Dome, opened its doors on March 3, 1990, at a cost of $138 million, predating the arrival of a Major League Baseball team in St. Petersburg. It briefly hosted the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning as the ThunderDome from 1993 to 1996 before becoming the permanent home of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (later Rays) in 1998, following an $85 million renovation and a 30-year naming rights deal with Tropicana Products in 1996.
For decades, the stadium, a fully enclosed dome with artificial turf, faced criticism for its gloomy atmosphere and lack of modern amenities, contributing to the Rays' persistent struggles with attendance despite periods of on-field success. The team's lease at Tropicana Field was set to expire after the 2028 season, and for years, the Rays actively sought a new ballpark, exploring various sites in both St. Petersburg and Tampa.
A significant turning point occurred in October 2024 when Hurricane Milton severely damaged Tropicana Field's roof, rendering it unplayable. This forced the Tampa Bay Rays to relocate their entire 2025 home season to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The city of St. Petersburg undertook a substantial $57.7 million repair effort, primarily for the new fiberglass composite roof and other internal upgrades, to ensure the stadium was ready for the Rays' return in April 2026.
Despite the repairs, the hurricane damage and rising costs ultimately led the Rays to abandon a proposed redevelopment project adjacent to Tropicana Field in March 2025. A new ownership group, led by Patrick Zalupski, acquired the franchise in September 2025 and revived discussions for a new stadium in Tampa. By August 2026, the Tampa City Council and Hillsborough County Commission approved a $2.36 billion deal for a new 31,000-seat fixed-roof stadium on the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry campus in Tampa, with the Rays committing $1.37 billion and public funds covering the remainder.
As of September 2026, groundbreaking for the new Tampa stadium is targeted for this month, with an anticipated opening for the 2029 MLB season. Consequently, Tropicana Field is slated for demolition after the Rays' lease expires at the end of the 2028 season. The city of St. Petersburg selected Blake Investment Partners' 'Burg Bid' in July 2026 for the $8.1 billion redevelopment of the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District, which includes the Tropicana Field site. The plan envisions a mixed-use district featuring over 3,600 affordable housing units, offices, retail, hotels, a central park, and a new Woodson African American Museum, with demolition of the stadium expected to commence in 2029.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Tropicana Field made different choices?