Rays to Play 2025 Home Games at George M. Steinbrenner Field Amid Uncertainty Over Tropicana Field

The Tampa Bay Rays will be playing their home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, during the 2025 season. This decision comes in the wake of significant damage to Tropicana Field caused by Hurricane Milton, which has cast doubt on the club’s future in St. Petersburg both in the short and long term.

Commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the situation at the league’s owners meetings, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the Rays' ballpark situation. "There's a lot of uncertainty with respect to the situation in Tampa; much of that uncertainty, we just don't control," Manfred stated. "We need to let the government officials in Tampa Bay sort out where they are on a variety of issues. I understand the delay given the kind of damage that they suffered down there. We're just going to have to wait for some of that uncertainty to resolve itself."

The hurricane, which tore much of the roof off Tropicana Field, prompted the Pinellas County Commission to postpone an October vote on issuing bonds to finance the county’s $312.5 million share of the new stadium, sourced from tourist tax revenue. Initially seen as a procedural formality, the vote was delayed as the county dealt with the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The vote was rescheduled for Tuesday, but the results of the November 5 elections altered the composition of the county commission that had previously voted 5-2 in favor of the ballpark agreement.

Just hours before the county commissioners voted 6-1 on Tuesday to delay the vote again until December 17, Rays presidents Matt Silverman and Brian Auld sent a letter indicating that the initial postponement had already made it highly unlikely for the new ballpark to be ready by 2028, if ever.

While there is no firm deadline for resolving the Rays’ long-term stadium situation, Manfred suggested that a plan might need to be in place before the 2026 season. "It's one thing to make an interim arrangement for 2025, which we've done," Manfred said. "When you get into another year, there's obviously going to be another interim arrangement unless they get the Trop fixed. I think that second year of an interim arrangement, you need a plan as to how you're going to get into a permanent facility."

Regarding potential relocation, Manfred reassured fans, "We're committed to the fans in Tampa Bay. I think given all that that's happened in that market, we're focused on our franchise in Tampa Bay right now."

​As the Rays prepare for the 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the future of their long-term home remains uncertain, with ongoing discussions and decisions needed to secure a permanent solution.