Rays Relocation Rumors Dead After $2.3 Billion Stadium Announcement
Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa issued legislative approvals to construct a proposed $2.3 billion venue for MLB's Rays.
The Tampa Bay Rays' relocation rumors have been dismissed following a $2.3 billion stadium announcement. The Hillsborough County Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 28 to approve construction of a new stadium in Tampa, near Hillsborough College. The team has been playing at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg since 1998, with a brief hiatus in 2025 for repairs after Hurricane Milton.
The Tampa City Council had already approved the deal on Aug. 27. The stadium is set to open in 2029, ending years of relocation speculation that saw the team considered for sites in Orlando and Chicago. The proposed $2.3 billion stadium deal requires Tampa to contribute $80 million for public infrastructure, while the Rays will provide $1.37 billion, covering construction cost overruns.
Hillsborough County will contribute $796 million, with funds originating from the Community Investment Tax, tourist-development tax bonds, other county funds, and federal disaster-recovery money. Rays CEO Ken Babby expressed gratitude for the county's decision, stating the region would celebrate the future of Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay.
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