Tampa Bay Rays’ New Stadium in Tampa: What We Know So Far

Core Insights - The Tampa Bay Rays are exploring options for a new stadium to replace the aging Tropicana Field, which has been a challenge due to its location and low attendance [1][3][9] - Recent developments include a nonbinding agreement with Hillsborough College to build a multiuse facility on a 113-acre site, with plans for a roof to mitigate weather issues [4][5][10] - The new ownership group, led by Patrick Zalupski, aims to create a vibrant community space similar to Truist Park, but details on financial contributions and city support remain unclear [11][15] Group 1: Stadium Development - The Rays have been in discussions for a new stadium for years, with previous proposals failing due to various reasons, including Hurricane Milton's impact [3][6] - The team is currently negotiating with Tampa officials, with a six-month window for discussions as part of the agreement with Hillsborough College [5][11] - The proposed stadium's design and financial structure are still under wraps, with no public information on the ownership's financial commitments [10][11] Group 2: Attendance and Performance - The Rays have struggled with attendance, ranking 29th in MLB in 2025, with only 786,750 fans compared to 1,337,739 in 2024 [9] - The team played the entire 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field due to damage from Hurricane Milton, which affected their home games and attendance figures [6][9] Group 3: Ownership Changes - The Rays were sold to a new ownership group led by Patrick Zalupski, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion, and Ken Babby appointed as the new CEO [15][16] - The new ownership aims to revitalize the team's presence and community engagement in Tampa Bay [12][15]