MLB team’s relocation quest takes huge step forward with new site after abandoning $1.3bn stadium

The Tampa Bay Rays have take a huge step forward in the search for a long-term home.

A proposed $1.3 billion project to build a ballpark next to the team’s Tropicana Field HQ in in St. Petersburg was abandoned in March.

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Team bosses were concerned with hurricane damage and delays that saw projected costs rack up.

Now, attention has turned to an area of Tampa near the New York Yankees‘ Spring Training home at Steinbrenner Field, where the Rays played last season.

Raymond James Stadium — home of the NFL‘s Tampa Bay Buccaneers — is also nearby.

The Hillsborough College board of trustees voted Tuesday and unanimously approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding over a redevelopment of the Dale Mabry campus, including baseball stadium.

“We are encouraged to take this early but very important step forward,” Rays CEO Ken Babby said in a statement. “We are grateful for today’s unanimous vote, which reflects what’s possible when we all listen, learn and work together to realize a vision that will make our community better.

“We have a lot of work ahead, but we will move forward energized by the momentum behind this effort and excited to continue our work toward building a lasting partnership that creates a forever home for the Tampa Bay Rays and serves our fans, students, and the broader community for generations to come.”

The Rays are obligated to play at Tropicana Field for three more years and will return in 2026.

Their iconic HQ domed stadium needed major work after Hurricane Milton hit Florida’s west coast in October 2024 and ripped off much of the roof.

The new roof is made from 25 panels, each weighing around 5,000 pounds.

Serge Ferrari Group’s facility in Germany fabricated the rolls and is confident they will hold up for the 20-year service life required by Tampa Bay.

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Repairs cost the city $60 million and the team struggled on the field, posting a 77-85 record to miss the playoffs.

“This project was a massive undertaking,” Tampa Bay Mayor Kenneth Welch said in a statement. “We look forward to completing the remaining repairs and welcoming fans back for the 2026 season.

A group led by Florida-based real estate developer Patrick Zalupski purchased the Rays from Stu Sternberg for $1.7 billion in September.

Tampa Bay fans return to Tropicana Field

Supporters will be welcomed to the Trop for the annual Fan Fest on February 14.

“The Fan Fest Block Party is our first chance of the year to bring fans together and reconnect with the team ahead of the upcoming season, and we’re thrilled to welcome everyone back to Tropicana Field in April,” Rays CEO Ken Babby said in a statement.

Admission will be free but tickets are required.

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Other MLB teams are also busy creating new stadiums.

The Athletics are bringing a ballpark to the Las Vegas Strip in a $2 billion project.

The White Sox could also be on the move from Chicago’s South Side after 131 years.