The Tampa Bay Rays will play their home games for the 2025 season at nearby George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the American League East rival New York Yankees.
The need for the interim home in Tampa, Fla., comes on the heels of the extensive damage incurred at Tropicana Field by Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9.
“We deeply appreciate that the Yankees have graciously allowed us to play at Steinbrenner Field for the 2025 season,” Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said. “The hurricane damage to Tropicana Field has forced us to take some extraordinary steps, just as Hurricanes Helene and Milton have forced thousands of families and businesses in our community to adapt to new circumstances as we all recover and rebuild.”
“The Trop” is not expected to be playable for MLB games until the 2026 season, according to a report released Tuesday by the city of St. Petersburg, Fla.
“We are happy to extend our hand to the Rays and their fans by providing a major league-quality facility for them to utilize this season,” said Hal Steinbrenner, chairman and managing general partner of Yankee Global Enterprises, which owns the Yankees.
“Both the Yankees organization and my family have deep roots in the Tampa Bay region, and we understand how meaningful it is for Rays players, employees and fans to have their 2025 home games take place within 30 minutes of Tropicana Field.
“In times like these, rivalry and competition take a back seat to doing what’s right for our community, which is continuing to help families and businesses rebound from the devastation caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton.”
Per the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays opted for Steinbrenner Field — which features a capacity of 11,026 — over BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla. The latter park is the spring home of the Philadelphia Phillies.
“Given the significant challenges caused by Hurricane Milton, I appreciate the hard work and collaboration between the two teams that allowed the Rays to make the best decision for next season,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said. “This outcome meets Major League Baseball’s goals that Rays’ fans will see their team play next season in their home market and that their players can remain home without disruption to their families.”
Tropicana Field opened in 1990 and has hosted the Rays since their inaugural season in 1998.