TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays are holding three public community engagement sessions to get feedback on proposed ballpark plans before they take the next steps.

Early plans show the Rays want to put the ballpark and surrounding mixed-use district on the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough College. This location sits directly across from Raymond James Stadium and adjacent to Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees.

What You Need To Know

The Tampa Bay Rays are holding three public community engagement sessions to get feedback on proposed ballpark plans

Leadership from the Tampa Bay Rays as well as Hillsborough College will be leading Tuesday’s community meeting

RELATED: The Tampa Bay Rays released initial renderings of the proposed ballpark at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus 
PREVIOUS STORIES on Rays stadium pursuit

The first community engagement session is set for Tuesday, March 3 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry Campus, at the Dale Mabry Student Services Auditorium, located at 4001 West Tampa Bay Blvd.

Leadership from the Tampa Bay Rays as well as Hillsborough College will be leading Tuesday’s community meeting. They plan to share the latest developments on what they say is an ‘evolving vision’ for the project, and plan to answer questions and get feedback from fans and residents.

Over the past few weeks, the Rays have been meeting with key partners, members of the business community, and first responders to work on more details of the major development project.

The Rays estimate the new stadium could cost $2.3 billion. The team says they are willing to cover half the cost, and hope for public funding through Hillsborough County, and the City of Tampa to cover the rest. They plan for the multi-billion-dollar surrounding development to be privately financed.

Resident Isabell Camm recently bought a home in the neighborhood. She says she’s grateful the Rays are holding these community workshops before moving forward.

“Initially I was a little bit worried due to the traffic and the infrastructure not being built for it quite yet,” she said. “I am thrilled for the jobs that will come and our house value, so I am really excited, and I think it will be a great community for Tampa.”

Part-time St. Pete Resident and Rays fan John Freeman says he’s sad to see the Rays leave St. Pete but likes the Rays latest proposal.

“I think it’s a great idea, and develops an area that could probably use development,” he said. “If they do it right, and the money is there, I think it would be a cool outcome.”

Two additional community meetings will be held next week:

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

 

Jefferson High School Auditorium

4401 W Cypress St.

Tampa, FL 33607

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

The Skills Center

5107 N 22nd St.

Tampa, FL 33610