The Rays, perennial American League East rivals of the Yankees, unveiled initial renderings for a proposed ballpark and mixed-use district, giving fans a first look at a project that could reshape where — and how — the Rays play their home games.
The announcement comes as Hillsborough County Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to begin negotiating ballpark funding with the team, just over 100 days after the franchise changed ownership.
While the Rays have historically played at Tropicana Field, Hurricane Milton left significant damage to the stadium, forcing the team to host games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa — a temporary home better known as the Yankees’ spring training complex.
Yankees fans heading to Florida to see their team face the Rays have therefore already experienced this unusual setup firsthand.
“Hillsborough County’s unanimous vote is a significant milestone and a clear signal that Tampa is serious about keeping Major League Baseball in this region and transforming Tampa Bay for generations to come,” said Patrick Zalupski, managing partner of the Rays in a statement.
The proposed project would be a public-private partnership, with ballpark costs shared between the team, Hillsborough County, and the City of Tampa. The broader mixed-use development, including retail, residential, and entertainment space, would be entirely privately financed.
An independent economic analysis predicts the development could generate $34 billion in total economic impact and create nearly 12,000 permanent jobs.
Once completed, the district is expected to attract roughly 10 million visitors annually — on par with major U.S. theme parks.
The partnership with Hillsborough College also aims to enhance campus facilities and expand workforce development, curriculum, and internship opportunities for more than 45,000 students.
Ken Babby, CEO of the Rays, emphasized that community input will shape the project.
“We want the ballpark and district design to reflect the voices of the people who live, work, study and operate businesses here,” Babby said.
Fans can get a glimpse of the new ballpark renderings now, and those eager for Yankees-Rays matchups in Tampa can even reserve early seating by making a $19.98 deposit.
With plans still evolving, this new stadium could soon become the official home for the Rays—and the next stage of the heated Yankees rivalry in Florida.