Tropicana Field

Gov. Ron DeSantis said the plan would rejuvenate the area and ensure baseball remains in Tampa Bay. On Tuesday, the college's trustees took a first step to get the ball rolling.

Few details were released for Tuesday's meeting of the Hillsborough College District Board of Trustees. It's not clear whether any subsidies other than donating public land would be involved.

The free event will be staged along 16th Street South while repairs and renovations continue to prepare the hurricane-damaged stadium for the April 6 home opener.

They have until Feb. 3 to pitch their plans to redevelop the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District.

“We will build thousands more units than any other bidder.”

Tropicana Field's old roof, which was ripped off by Hurricane Milton in 2024, was built to withstand sustained winds of 115 mph.

Now that the domed roof is fully installed and the indoor stadium is once again protected from the elements, repairs have started on electronic systems, flooring, drywall, and more.

Mayor Ken Welch said any agreement must “make sense for the city” and cannot impede long-awaited plans to redevelop roughly 60 acres of prime real estate surrounding the stadium.

On "Florida Matters Live and Local," we explore anticipated rising health care costs, updates on Tropicana Field, a dancing trailblazer and tips for finding unique gifts.

More than a year after Hurricane Milton damaged the stadium, interior repairs are set to begin. Construction is ahead of schedule for the Rays to return to their longtime home for the 2026 season.

“The home of the Tampa Bay Rays is right here at Tropicana Field," co-owner and CEO Ken Babby said.

The Rays made it official that they'll be back at a repaired Tropicana Field this season and say they are offering a 15% cut on more than two-thirds of the seats. Also, a return to earlier weeknight game times.