In an effort to remind fans they are moving back to Tropicana Field this season, the Rays will stage their annual Fan Fest just outside the stadium that is being repaired following damage from Hurricane Milton.<\/p>\n
The \u201cFan Fest Block Party\u201d will be held Feb. 14 from 1-5 p.m. on 16th Street South, which is on the west side of the stadium in downtown St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n
The team also announced a rebranded seating area and social space above leftfield that will offer all-inclusive \u201cballpark fare\u201d food, beer, wine and soft drinks.<\/p>\n
Tickets will start at $49 for seats in the new MaintenX SkyDeck that will be redesigned with graphics of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and LED lighting.<\/p>\n
More than 1,000 tickets will be available per game, with prices higher for certain premium opponents and dates, similar to their usual dynamic ticket pricing. The all-inclusive offer won\u2019t be available for some special event dates, such as dog days.<\/p>\n
The Rays had a good response last year to a smaller version of an all-inclusive area at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the Yankees\u2019 spring\/minor-league stadium where they played while the Trop was being repaired.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had some products (at Steinbrenner Field) at certain price points that we didn\u2019t have the inventory or the concept in place at Tropicana Field. So there were some great learnings from there,\u201d Rays chief business officer Bill Walsh said. \u201cI think this kind of entry-level, all-inclusive area was really, really popular. We found a good price point that we could make it work at the Trop and are excited to debut it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walsh said the deck area is \u201ca really fun place that we\u2019ve always wanted to do something more there. So, this is a nice opportunity for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the Trop damaged heavily by the October 2024 storm, the Rays moved last year\u2019s Fan Fest outside to the St. Pete Pier.<\/p>\n
They opted for the street party concept this time to spread the word and provide a visual reminder that the team will be back at its long-time home, with the first game April 6 vs. the Cubs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of curiosity from folks, and there\u2019s a real lack of awareness, I think, of what exactly is going on (repairing the Trop) and the enormity of it,\u201d Walsh said. \u201cSo we want to do everything we can to kind of reinforce that, \u2018Hey, we\u2019re going to be back here at the Trop. It\u2019s going to be bigger and better than ever.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an opportunity to kind of, literally, bring everybody to the building. Even if we can\u2019t go inside, you can kind of rally around it and have a really fun, festive atmosphere right next to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Fan Fest will include many of the usual events, including player autograph signings; family-friendly activities; a panel discussion with team officials; mascot appearances; and a charity yard sale of team memorabilia, bobbleheads, hats, shirts and game-used merchandise. Tickets for autograph signings will be available starting on Feb. 5, with season members getting first crack.<\/p>\n