Rays abandon $1.3B ballpark project in St. Petersburg

The Tampa Bay Rays have announced they will not proceed with the $1.3 billion stadium project in St. Petersburg, Florida, citing unforeseen events and significant delays, including the damage caused by Hurricane Milton to Tropicana Field. Despite the city council and Pinellas County voting to approve financial support for the new stadium, the team could not meet the March 31 deadline to secure its $700 million contribution. The Rays will play their 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa due to the current stadium's condition, and efforts are underway to restore Tropicana Field for the 2026 season. Major League Baseball and other team owners are reportedly pressuring owner Stuart Sternberg to sell the franchise, with potential new ownership groups expressing interest. The organization remains committed to finding a long-term solution that serves the interests of the region and MLB.