Rays Propose New Tampa Stadium as Part of Major Development - News and Statistics

Mar 9, 2026

The Tampa Bay Rays have unveiled designs for a new ballpark intended to be the centerpiece of a large mixed-use district. According to Construction Dive, the team released a video on March 2 presenting the proposed facility, described as its permanent home, planned for a site in Tampa’s Westshore District and on the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry campus.

The stadium, with an estimated cost of $2.3 billion, would be situated near Raymond James Stadium and adjacent to Steinbrenner Field. The team has stated it would fund half of the ballpark’s cost, with the remainder sought from Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa.

The proposed venue would seat 31,000 people and anchor a district designed for walking with retail, parks, and shopping. The Rays project the entire development could generate over 39,000 construction jobs. The architectural firm Gensler is the master planner for the overall project, while Populous would design the stadium.

Path to a New Home

In January, the Hillsborough College District Board of Trustees approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the baseball team. This agreement initiated a 180-day period for exclusive negotiations on a final deal covering a new stadium, the mixed-use development, and new college facilities, with a goal for the Rays to begin play at the new location for the 2029 season.

Subsequently, a state vote transferred 22 acres of land to Hillsborough College for the project, with a condition that the land must be used for the stadium and development within five years or be reclaimed.

Previous Plans and Current Context

The Rays’ pursuit of a new home predates the current proposal. In 2024, Pinellas County commissioners had approved public financing for a different $1.3 billion stadium project in St. Petersburg. That plan was delayed in July 2025 and the team exited the deal in March 2025, citing timeline jeopardy from funding delays.

The team’s current home, Tropicana Field, was damaged in the fall of 2024. Repairs are nearing completion, and the facility is scheduled to be ready for the 2026 home opener. The Rays are under contract to play home games there through 2028.

Questions and Concerns

The new stadium proposal is not finalized. At a recent public forum, students expressed concerns about potential traffic impacts from the project. Members of the Tampa Sports Authority have also questioned the large scale and cost, with one board member expressing doubt that the team would want to pay taxes on the $2.3 billion stadium.

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