MLB team shares first look at $2.3bn ‘Forever Home’ but fans split over ‘awful’ design

Feb 7, 2026 - 10:30

The Tampa Bay Rays have released the first images of their proposed $2.3 billion ballpark.

In a major step for what has been a long-running stadium saga, the team have unveiled plans for their ‘Forever Home’ and an accompanying mixed-use district on the Dale Mabry Campus of Hillsborough College.

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 site of what they hope will one day be a 31,000-capacity ballpark is around 20 miles north of the Rays’ current home, Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

Ahead of the 2026 MLB season, a new roof has been installed on that building, which was badly damaged by Hurricane Milton.

But despite that $60 million renovation, the team have just three years left on their use agreement at the Trop, and are eyeing a relocation to Tampa.

The Rays were recently purchased by an ownership group led by Florida-based business executive Patrick Zalupski for a reported $1.7 billion, and finding a new home has been one of their main priorities.

Rays release first look at proposed ballpark

First renders depict the exterior of the proposed stadium, which the team hopes will offer the ‘most intimate’ experience in Major League Baseball and ‘introduce an unmatched, world-class fan experience.’

Images of a proposed ‘Champions Quarter’ neighborhood and a reimagined Hillsborough College building have also been shared.

Those areas promise to be ‘vibrant’ destinations for fans that will ‘blend baseball and culture into a walk-able, retail-rich district’ to attract visitors beyond game day.

Bosses have stressed these initial images offer an ‘early look at a vision for the site’ that will ‘continue to evolve based on further study of the site and ballpark design concepts.’

Input from local leaders and residents will also be taken into consideration for the project.

Last month, the Hillsborough College Board of Trustees approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Rays to redevelop the Dale Mabry Campus, which is located across the street from Raymond James Stadium — home of the NFL‘s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Rays have released a first look at their proposed $2.3bn ballpark — The outside of the proposed stadium has been revealed in new plans

On Tuesday, February 3, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis voiced their support for the project, with both stating their belief that ‘baseball belongs in Tampa Bay.’

One day later, the Hillsborough County Commission voted unanimously to begin negotiations with the Rays regarding ballpark funding.

“We’re proud to share our bold and dynamic vision for the ballpark, and believe strongly in its ability to benefit the team and our fans, Hillsborough College, the surrounding neighborhoods and the entire region,” Rays CEO Ken Babby said.

“Our community can be assured, however, that we want the ballpark and district design to reflect the voices of the people who live, work, study and operate businesses here.

“In that spirit, we look forward to meeting and listening to as many people from across Tampa Bay as we can in the weeks ahead.”

Fans point out issue with new Rays ballpark plans

While the first renderings of the proposed $2.3 billion stadium look impressive on the surface and many fans were excited, some were quick to take to social media with complaints.

A general view of George M. Steinbrenner Field during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Friday, June 20, 2025 — Tampa Bay’s stadium plans have been released to a mixed reaction

A number of people pointed out that the planned ballpark appears to be a ‘miniature version’ of SoFi Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.

Others, meanwhile, suggested that no MLB team should have a ballpark with a roof.

“SoFi for baseball,” one person said on X, referencing the look of the $5.5bn NFL stadium in California..

“Why does it look like the Rams/Chargers stadium?” a second asked.

general view of SoFi Stadium before a game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts on October 19, 2025 in Inglewood, California. — Some fans have argued the new Rays ballpark is similar to SoFi Stadium

“SoFi south,” a third joked.

“Is every sports event going to be played in a dome in 10 years?” a fourth questioned.

“This is awful,” a fifth bluntly stated.

If the Rays really are to take input on their proposed ballpark designs — albeit from the local community — the current ‘SoFi Stadium look’ might one day be changed.

Regardless of online reaction, the club is probably just relieved that plans to build on the Dale Mabry Campus appear to have strong backing from those who will be important to the project.

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