See the Tropicana Field renovations from the inside

Work on repairing the ballpark is ongoing with the goal of being ready for the home opener in April.

By Louis Llovio
| 5:00 a.m. December 16, 2025
| 2 Free Articles Remaining!

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

About 15 months after Hurricane Milton tore the roof off of Tropicana Field, heavily damaging the interior of the stadium and sending the Tampa Bay Rays packing for the 2025 season, work is progressing with the goal of the St. Pete stadium being ready for the team’s hope opener April 6.

Both the team and city have expressed optimism that work on the ballpark will be ready in time, with the Ray’s new owners promising an improved fan experience.

But just how long will the team play in the park remains unclear.

Its lease expires at the end of the 2028 season and the Rays’ new owners are actively looking for a site to build a new ballpark. They have said they want it to be ready before the start of the 2029 season.

That may be a lofty goal, but St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth Welch, since at least early October, has said he is open to discussions about extending that lease if needed.

As for Tropicana Field’s future. That’s likely not long term either.

The city is actively looking to (again) find a developer to undertake a multibillion-dollar renovation of the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District. The stadium sits on that site and, unless something changes, is likely to be demolished in coming years to make way for the development.

For now, though, all eyes are on April 6 when the Chicago Cubs come to town.

Earlier this month, the City of St. Petersburg opened Tropicana Field to reporters and photographers to see the progress.

Beth Herendeen, managing director in city development for St. Petersburg, and Raul Quintana, St. Petersburg city architect, at Tropicana Field in December.

Interior views of Tropicana Field after being severely damaged by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg on October 16, 2024.

Tropicana Field suffered severe damaged when Hurricane Milton hit St. Petersburg on October 16, 2024.

author

Louis Llovio

Louis Llovio is the deputy managing editor at the Business Observer. Before going to work at the Observer, the longtime business writer worked at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Maryland Daily Record and for the Baltimore Sun Media Group. He lives in Tampa.