The Tampa Bay Rays have withdrawn from a $1.3 billion ballpark project due to a series of events including severe damage to their existing Tropicana Field and financing delays. The team will play their home games across Tampa Bay at the New York Yankees’ spring training home for the current season, while repairs are planned for the Trop to have it ready for the 2026 season. Under their current contract, the Rays will play three more seasons at the Trop after repairs are completed. The future of the team in the Tampa Bay area is uncertain, and MLB may evaluate attendance and fan interest during the temporary move to Steinbrenner Field. The proposed 30,000-seat stadium was part of a broader $6.5 billion revitalization project known as the Historic Gas Plant District. This project aimed to transform a tract in the city’s downtown with the stadium as an anchor, including plans for a Black history museum, affordable housing, entertainment venues, office and retail space, and thousands of jobs. With the Rays withdrawing from the project, the future of the broader revitalization project is also uncertain. The City of St. Petersburg is currently working on plans to restore Tropicana Field for the 2026 season, and the Rays are grateful for their efforts.
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