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MLB Nearing Major Tampa Bay Rays Decision: Report

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 8:07 PM ET

In most years, the biggest concern regarding the Tampa Bay Rays playing in the World Series would be Tropicana Field's somewhat unsightly appearance compared to other stadiums.

This year, both the Rays and the league have a much bigger and far more serious problem. Hurricane Milton forced the Rays to move into Steinbrenner Field, a 10,000-seat venue in Tampa, for the 2025 season.

While Steinbrenner Field is itself a fine venue, it's also one that The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported could mean trouble come the playoffs. Rosenthal said the Rays and Major League Baseball have had "preliminary conversations" about where the team would play postseason home games.

Rosenthal defined several specific "logistical concerns" that the league would have regarding games at Steinbrenner Field: ticket availability, ticket gate receipts, reduced postseason shares, and challenges that broadcast partners might face.

We last saw neutral-site postseason games in 2020, when Petco Park in San Diego hosted the ALCS during the pandemic. The NLCS and World Series were played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

It is unclear where the Rays would play any postseason games. Truist Park (Atlanta) and loanDepot Park (Miami) each make sense geographically.

Tampa entered Wednesday at 44=35, only trailing the freefalling New York Yankees by one game in the AL East. The Rays also hold the AL's top Wild Card seed.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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