ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays announced on Thursday that they have officially withdrawn from a $1.3 billion ballpark project. This decision was prompted by a series of hurricanes and construction delays, which the team predicts would significantly increase the project's overall cost.
In a statement released by principal owner Stuart Sternberg, he attributed the difficult decision to "a series of events" that occurred in October. Severe damage to the existing Tropicana Field, alongside financing delays, prompted the team to reconsider their future plans for a new stadium.
Sternberg stated, "After careful deliberation, we have concluded we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this moment." The withdrawal from the ballpark proposal marks a notable shift for the franchise, which has long sought a new home.
Currently, the Rays are temporarily displaced from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg and plan to host their home games for the upcoming season at the New York Yankees' Steinbrenner Field, which has an 11,000-seat capacity. Meanwhile, there are plans to undertake repairs at the Tropicana Field, including the replacement of its roof, which was badly damaged by Hurricane Milton. These repairs aim to have the stadium ready for the 2026 season.
According to their existing agreement with the city of St. Petersburg, the Rays are scheduled to play for three more seasons at the repaired Tropicana Field. However, the future of the team in the Tampa Bay area remains uncertain. Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Rays may evaluate fan attendance and interest during their season at Steinbrenner Field while considering potential alternate sites for the franchise.
"The City of St. Petersburg is currently advancing plans to restore Tropicana Field for the 2026 season," Sternberg noted. He expressed gratitude for the city’s efforts and shared excitement about returning to their home field in the coming spring.
The proposed new stadium was to be a central feature of a larger $6.5 billion revitalization project known as the Historic Gas Plant District. This project stands to benefit a predominantly Black neighborhood that was previously displaced by the construction of Tropicana Field and an interstate highway spur. Advocates believe that the redevelopment of the 86-acre tract in downtown St. Petersburg holds the potential to transform the area significantly.
Plans for the broader revitalization initiative include constructing a Black history museum, affordable housing options, entertainment venues, as well as office and retail spaces. Additionally, this project promises to create thousands of job opportunities but is now also in limbo following the Rays' decision to withdraw from the ballpark proposal.
