In a change of plans, leaders of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball franchise are pressing for a “grand reopening” of Tropicana Field by 2026. This timeline had previously been deemed unfeasible by a team executive.
Earlier today, Tampa Bay Business Journal reported that Rays Co-President Matt Silverman emailed St. Petersburg City Administrator Rob Gerdes, urging the city to commence repairs soon.
Tampa Bay Rays Co-President Matt Silverman emphasized the urgency of completing repairs to Tropicana Field in his email to St. Petersburg City Administrator Rob Gerdes. He noted that a partial 2026 season would create significant logistical and revenue issues for the team, urging the city to start the rebuild as soon as possible.
On November 21, 2024, Co-President Brian Auld informed the St. Petersburg City Council that Tropicana Field might not be ready for the 2026 season, leading to reports that the team was considering relocating to Omaha, Nebraska. In response, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch reaffirmed the city’s commitment to the team, expressing intentions to collaborate on restoring Major League Baseball games to the area.
Auld stated that the Rays would support efforts to complete the repairs by 2026, with the use agreement for Tropicana Field extended through the end of 2028. Silverman did not mention plans for a new stadium, although delays in bond approvals have pushed its potential opening to 2029.
A report from Hennessy Construction Services and AECOM Hunt indicated that repairs could be completed by opening day in 2026 if the city awarded a construction contract by January 1 and began work by February 1. Repair costs exceed $55 million, and the St. Pete City Council showed increasing support for the project, but complete funding has not yet been approved.
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