Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays are set to return to Tropicana Field in 2026 after playing all 2025 home matches at Steinbrenner Field in the Floridian city.
The return has been made possible after damage to Tropicana Field caused by Hurricane Milton last October nears repair.
“We are excited to return home to Tropicana Field in April and to once again join our fans and neighbouring businesses in downtown St. Petersburg in celebrating the return of Rays baseball,” said Rays chief executive Ken Babby.
Repairs to the stadium’s roof and other internal areas are ongoing, with the Rays planning to play their 2026 season home opener against the Chicago Cubs on April 6.
Much of the venue’s fibreglass roof membrane was destroyed by the hurricane.
Babby said that Tropicana Field will “look better than it has ever looked” in time for the Cubs match.
Plans were recently announced for an expanded main videoboard, new video displays behind home plate and along both foul poles, a new sound system, and refreshed suite interiors.
Despite the upgrades, ticket prices have been reduced by an average of 15% for more than two-thirds of seats compared to 2024.
The franchise has committed to offering $10 tickets for all home games next season.
