St. Petersburg, FL – St. Petersburg officials say federal disaster funding is expected to help offset a portion of the costly repairs required at Tropicana Field following severe hurricane damage.
City administrators confirmed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has identified approximately $16.5 million dollars in eligible reimbursement related to repairs at the city owned stadium.
The damage occurred during Hurricane Milton in October 2024, when high winds tore large sections of the stadium’s roof and caused significant interior damage.
The storm rendered the facility unusable for Major League Baseball games, forcing the Tampa Bay Rays to relocate home games for the 2025 season.
Since the hurricane, St. Petersburg has approved nearly $60 million dollars in contracts to repair and stabilize Tropicana Field.
The work includes roof reconstruction, cleanup of water damage, structural inspections, and security improvements needed to safely reopen the venue.
City officials have stated that repair costs could continue to increase as construction progresses and additional issues are discovered.
Insurance has covered part of the expenses, with the city receiving roughly $10.8 million dollars in insurance payments tied to the storm damage.
FEMA reimbursement would supplement those funds, but officials cautioned that the $16.5 million figure is not final and the timeline for payment remains uncertain.
Federal reimbursement typically occurs after projects are completed and reviewed.
St. Petersburg owns Tropicana Field and is contractually obligated under its lease agreement to maintain the stadium for the Rays, whose lease runs through at least 2028.
City leaders say they are working to complete major repairs in time for the Rays to return for the 2026 season.
Officials emphasized that FEMA funding would help reduce the financial burden on taxpayers but would not cover the full cost of the repairs.