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Tampa Bay Rays Issue Key Update On Stadium Status

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated Jan 22, 2026 11:29 AM ET

Tropicana Field’s indefinite shutdown cast serious doubt on the Tampa Bay Rays’ long-term survival after the damage from Hurricane Milton. As a result, the Rays played their home games at Steinbrenner Field last year, the spring training facility of the New York Yankees. On the other hand, plans for relocating to a new stadium within the Tampa Bay area were a major goal for the organization long before the team moved into their temporary home.

On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays officially took the first step in the plan of moving into a brand new stadium. The board of trustees from Hillsborough College voted unanimously to enter into a binding memorandum of understanding with the MLB franchise. The partnership is aiming to transform the approximately 113-yard Dale Mabry campus in Tampa. The project consists of building an MLB stadium for the Rays, a mixed-use area, and new facilities for the college.

Latest On Rays Stadium Plans https://t.co/ozG8OQRuzl pic.twitter.com/NOdNvovSyj
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) January 22, 2026

“There’s still great work ahead of us to be able to bring this to reality,” Rays CEO Ken Babby said in a press conference after the decision was formally announced. “But what I can say with certainty is that we believe with conviction that we’re going to be able to create a world-class work-live-learn-play development here in Tampa Bay, and we’re very, very encouraged and pleased by today’s outcome.”

The Tampa Bay Rays initially reached an agreement in 2024 to build a $1.3 billion ballpark in St. Petersburg, Florida, where Tropicana Field is located. However, the plan failed after the hurricane delayed the release of country bonds, which escalated the cost of the project. Meanwhile, the Rays hope to return to their original home at some point this season. Their lease at Tropicana Field expires after the 2028 campaign.

Rays Plan Return to Tropicana Field by April

The Tampa Bay Rays are working hard to ensure that the team returns to Tropicana Field for the start of the 2026 season, their CEO, Ken Babby, stated. At the same time, the current ownership is eager to find a new home for the franchise in the near future.

“Our organization is in many ways ambidextrous,” Babby said. “We’re working as hard as we can to get ready for April and to bring our team back home to Tropicana Field, while at the very same time working to find that forever home that is so important in terms of our success.”

Statements regarding today’s Hillsborough College District Board of Trustees unanimous vote. pic.twitter.com/V2qb1QqF9z
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) January 20, 2026

The Tampa Bay Rays underwent a change of ownership last September with a new majority stockholder. The group headed by Stuart Sternberg has been leading the organization since November 2025. The new lead group under real estate developer Patrick Zalupski has continuously strived to create a new home stadium for the team.

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

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