The team is finalizing a deal to build a stadium at Hillsborough Community College.
–
By Ben Rosen
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB) are putting the finishing touches on a deal that would see the team get a new stadium on the current Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough Community College (HCC). Raymond James Stadium is directly across the street from this location. If everything goes as planned, the Rays will move into the new stadium for the 2029 season, according to MLB.com’s Adam Berry.
On Feb. 5, the Rays released the first renderings of the new stadium and the entertainment district development around the venue. The capacity of the new stadium will be around 31,000 seats, according to what the team told Berry. Renderings of a redeveloped HCC are also included in the release.
According to a Tampa Bay Times report from Feb. 3, the Rays plan to cover at least half of the stadium costs as well as all possible overrun costs. The state government will not be paying for the stadium, and all government funding for the project will be contributed by Hillsborough County.
“Today’s an important day, a milestone along a path that I believe will lead to the Tampa Bay Rays being part of this community for decades to come,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said during a Feb. 3 press conference at HCC with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Rays CEO Ken Babby.
The Rays will return to Tropicana Field for the 2026 season after having to play the 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field because of damage to the Trop caused by Hurricane Milton. As AP noted, the Rays’ lease at Tropicana Field expires after the 2028 season at the earliest, but further specifics are unknown.
“We will go far and wide to ask questions, to learn, to take feedback, and have community huddles throughout the region to learn how to make our project the right, perfect public-private partnership,” Babby said during the press conference.
Given the length of the Rays stadium saga, Manfred reiterated the need to find a new stadium in the region to keep the team in the Tampa Bay area for the long run.
“I do think we’re at a point in the history of the club that something needs to get done, but I would be hesitant to characterize it as it’s this or never again,” Manfred said during the press conference.
DeSantis, who is from the Tampa Bay area, believes that the critics are wrong about having a major league team in the region.
“Baseball belongs in Tampa Bay, baseball could succeed in Tampa Bay,” DeSantis said during the press conference.
Manfred also emphasized the point DeSantis made about the league having a place in the Tampa Bay region.
“One thing that has been consistent during my time as Commissioner was my view that Major League Baseball belongs in Tampa Bay,” Manfred said during the press conference. “That support has been, I hope, clear and unwavering.”
While some steps remain to complete negotiations with HCC, the Rays are on track to remain in Tampa Bay.