ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Spectrum News got an inside look Wednesday inside Tropicana Field, with officials saying work is on track to wrap up in time for Opening Day in 2026.
The Trop, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, was badly damaged in October 2024 by Hurricane Milton, with the roof panels being ripped off and damage happening inside.
The last roof panels were replaced late last month, and now some finishing touches are taking place on the field, in the stands and around other areas of the venue.
Beth Herendeen, the city’s managing director for development administration, says that, in essence, the building is dried-in, protected from the elements.
Crews are working on drywall and painting the seats, and the air conditioning and lights are working.
Herendeen said an extra 30 days were built into the schedule in case of storms like last year’s, but the quiet hurricane season of 2025 helped move things along.
“We would have been on schedule anyway. That was built in, but it’s allowed us to get a little bit ahead of schedule. A project of this size, there are unknowns and unforeseen things, so we’ll take that time,” she said.
A new stadium sound system will be installed this month and tested in January.
Flooring on the Viva deck will also be installed this month, along with backstop netting.
Officials said there was mold and mildew to contend with as part of repairs. The city is working with Greenfield Environmental, and the Rays also have an industrial hygienist.
A remediation company has also been on site.
Based on recommendations from those experts, they’re either cleaning and encapsulating or removing and replacing any areas with damage.