$2.3bn MLB relocation gathers pace as Governor gifts franchise land for stunning new ballpark

Mar 2, 2026 - 09:00

The Tampa Bay Rays have taken another step forward in a proposed move to Hillsborough College.

The Floridian MLB outfit had previously released conceptual renderings for a proposed new stadium and mixed-use district at the Dale Mabry campus.

The Rays have released a first look at their proposed $2.3bn ballpark

This came after the Rays entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in association with Hillsborough College last month, of which was unanimously approved by the District Board of Trustees.

Now, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet have approved the granting of 22 acres of non-conservation land for a brand new ballpark for the Rays, along with some renovated college buildings.

The ballpark is expected to seat approximately 31,000 fans, while there are also plans for retail, house, entertainment, and community spaces.

“In its current state ownership, what’s today largely just a bunch of parking lots will be completely renovated to a live, work, entertain district that you know is going to have significant economic benefit to the state,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said on February 24, per the Tampa Bay Times.

According to the agenda item, the state could reclaim the land if ‘components’ of the stadium or its surrounding construction do not exist within five years of the transfer.

However, the Rays are adamant that they want to have their new ballpark ready by 2029.

“At the press conference, I was asked: ‘How much is this land worth?’ Honestly, I don’t know that it’s worth very much outside of this proposal,” DeSantis said.

“Because a home builder would not put a subdivision there, no way.

“People would do commercial buildings right there now. In order to make this something that’s special, it really has to be something unique like this.”

The MLB franchise have already revealed that they are willing to pay 50 percent of the stadium cost, while the rest of the funds will need to come from the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County.

Renders of the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium, released as the project hits a new milestone — The Rays have released a first look at their proposed $2.3bn ballpark

The cost for the project is estimated to reach up to $2.3 billion.

“The support by Governor DeSantis and the Cabinet today underlines our belief in the power of this generational project, and the many lasting benefits it will deliver,” Rays CEO Ken Babby added.

“Our momentum is real and growing, thanks to the remarkable spirit of community and statewide partnership that our ownership group has been privileged to experience from the start.”

Back at home

The Rays had initially planned to leave Tropicana Field for the Historic Gas Plant District in St. Petersburg, having secured approvals from the City Council and Pinellas County for a mixed-use redevelopment on the 86-acre site.

However, in March 2025, the project was abandoned due to what the Rays cited as ‘unforeseen complications’.

This also had somewhat to do with the serious damage Tropicana Field’s roof sustained from Hurricane Milton.

In this aerial view, the domed roof at Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, is seen ripped to shreds from Hurricane Miltonís powerful winds in St. Petersburg. The storm passed through the area on October 10, 2024 — The roof of Tropicana Field was shredded by Hurricane Milton in 2024

An overall view of George M. Steinbrenner Field during the game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 20, 2025 — The Rays played their 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field as the Trop underwent repairs

The St. Petersburg City Council formally terminated the deal in July 2025.

Due to a $60 million extensive repairs of the roof at The Trop, the Rays spent the 2025 MLB season playing at George M. Steinbrenner Field, located just across the Dale Mabry Highway from Raymond James Stadium – the home of the NFL franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

They wound up finishing fourth in the American League East with a 77-85 record.

Now, with all roof renovations complete – despite fans calling it a ‘trash can‘ – the Rays will be back home at Tropicana Field for the 2026 campaign.

But with movement as it pertains to the Hillsborough College site, and with their lease of their current home expiring in 2028, the Rays will not be back at The Trop for long.

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