TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays were forced to move to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa due to Hurricane Milton’s damage to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. They have been renovating the field, typically used by the New York Yankees for spring training and their Single-A affiliate Tampa Tarpons, to fit their own.
Most Major League Baseball (MLB) teams open the season on Thursday, March 27, but the Rays were given an extra 24 hours to make Steinbrenner Field feel like their new home for the 2025 season.
With over 50 installers from five companies and more than 80 staff members working around the clock since spring training ended, they have been customizing the locker rooms, adding Rays branding, and creating a fresh game day atmosphere. There have been over 3,000 Rays-related marketing assets installed inside and outside the park.
“We want to thank the Yankees for giving us a home this year,” Warren Hypes, Rays vice president of Creative and Brand, said at a press conference on March 26. “The build-up to get to game day has been the main work.”
Bill Walsh, Rays chief business officer, said that moving to a new stadium has enabled renovations that fans will not notice.
“Some improvements aren’t so visible to fans,” Walsh said. “We’ve upgraded broadcast cabling, constructed a new umpire’s compound, expanded the visiting clubhouse, and upgraded Wifi connectivity.”
Other upgrades the Rays implemented include completely rebranding the dining facility, workout rooms for the players, and even expanding the visitor’s locker rooms to meet the MLB standards, completed with a photo of the torn-up Tropicana Field — a reminder of how they got to where they are today and a salute to the Yankees for making it possible.
“Two organizations can be rivals on the field while also working collaboratively towards a common purpose to keep baseball in Tampa Bay in 2025,” said Walsh.
Beyond the behind-the-scenes upgrades, the Rays have also enhanced the fan experience to make Steinbrenner Field feel more like their home field. New Rays-themed seating, new food vendors, and shops where fans can buy merch such as hats, shirts, jerseys, scarfs, bottle coolers and more have been installed.
In order to better prepare fans for the weather conditions now that they are playing outdoors, the Rays will launch a webpage for fans to monitor the weather. There are also going to be complimentary sunscreen kiosks that can allow fans to protect themselves from baking in the hot sun. Orlando Health, one of the team’s sponsor for the 2025 season, will provide hydration stations at Steinbrenner Field.
There will be Family Fundays which will be on Sunday afternoons. Pregame entertainment will include balloon twisters, face painting, the chance to win exclusive merchandise, and a variety of other activities.
Displays will also be showcased along the walls with the Rays history for fans to immerse themselves in the new environment. Tyler Wall, director of Major League Equipment and Operations, said they will try their best to transform the stadium and make it feel like it’s the Rays’ place.
“We are truly blessed,” Wall said. “We’re going to have a great season here.”
The Rays first game at Steinbrenner Field against the Colorado Rockies on Friday, March 28 is sold out. This marks the 19th consecutive season the Rays have sold out their home opener.
—
Thumbnail Image courtesy of Emily McLaughlin.