$6B development, 'more mature market' makes this Rays deal different

The Tampa Bay Rays' new $1.3 billion ballpark still needs to win city and county approval, which officials are comfortable they'll get.

By Louis Llovio
| 4:00 p.m. September 19, 2023
| 0 Free Articles Remaining!

Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch announce the deal for a new $1.3 billion ballpark in the city at Tropicana Field.

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The Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday officially unveiled plans for a new $1.3 billion stadium that will be built with about $600 million in funds from the city of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County and at least that much from the team.

The plan, which will keep the Rays in the city for at least the next 34 years and a settle a more than a 15 year effort to find it a permanent home, calls for the 30,000 seat, domed stadium to be built near where Tropicana Field stands today. Construction on the ballpark is expected to begin in late 2024 and to be completed in time for opening day of the 2028 season.

“Major League Baseball is here to stay. Right here,” Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said at Tropicana Field on Tuesday.