Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Rays will return to Tropicana Field in 2026 after hurricanes forced the Rays to play at George M Steinbrenner Field in 2025.
After a hurricane destroyed Tropicana Field in 2024, the Rays were forced to play in the Yankees Triple-A park in 2025.
Not only were the Rays forced to play there but so were the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Rays weren’t the only team to play in a Triple-A calibre stadium in 2025, the Athletics are forced to play in Sacramento until a stadium is eventually built in Las Vegas.
You may remember the controversial home run that Davis Schneider hit that was called foul due to the shortened foul poles and lack of camera angles at the minor league stadium.
John Schneider was livid and got ejected after Davis Schneider’s potential homer was ruled foul 😳
No MLB team wants to play in a minor league park. Home or visiting team.
I’m sure that all the other teams on the Rays schedule, including the Blue Jays are happy to know that Tropicana Field will be good to go for the start of the season.
Tropicana Field to be completed in time for 2026 Season
According to the city of St. Petersburg «completed the installation of the final roof panel on Tropicana Field Stadium ahead of schedule.»
The 24th and final roof panel was put in place atop The Trop on Thursday, restoring the tilted white roof in what the Rays called «a massive step forward for us, The City of St. Pete and Rays fans everywhere» as they prepare to return to the dome next season.
Panel by panel, thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly to make Tropicana Field whole again.
With the placement of the last piece, yesterday was a massive step forward for us, The City of St. Pete and Rays fans everywhere.
Following the completion of roof repairs, the city said that contractors will «begin focusing on internal repairs including turf installation, sports lighting and more»
«Interior construction is full steam ahead!» the club said in a newsletter sent to fans on Friday morning. «Our team is working to get ready for Opening Day, and we can’t wait to see you back at Tropicana Field!»
The city said that all stadium repairs are «currently scheduled to be completed by April 2026.»
The Rays’ use agreement with St. Petersburg covers three more seasons at Tropicana Field, keeping them at the ballpark through the 2028 campaign.
The club’s new ownership group is in the early stages of securing a long-term home in the area, with the ambitious goal of moving in for Opening Day in 2029.
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Tampa Bay Rays look toward a 2026 return to Tropicana Field as dome repairs wrap up
Have you ever seen a game at Tropicana Field before?