The Rays’ planned $1.3 billion stadium in St. Petersburg is no longer happening. Owner Stu Sternberg announced Thursday that the team “cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this moment,” citing “a series of events beginning in October that no one could have anticipated.”
Construction on the Historic Gas Plant District stadium was supposed to begin this winter, but was delayed by Hurricane Milton and political in-fighting. The Rays had a March 31 deadline to prove that they could come up with their $700 million obligation toward the costs.
“Our commitment to the vitality and success of the Rays organization is unwavering,” Sternberg said in a statement. “We continue to focus on finding a ballpark solution that serves the best interests of our region, Major League Baseball and our organization.”
The Rays will play the 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field, home of the Yankees’ spring training, after Tropicana Field was wrecked in the hurricane. Sternberg said the plans are to restore Tropicana for the 2026 season.
