Tampa Bay Rays scrambling for a new home in 2025 after Hurricane Milton blows the roof off Tropicana Field

Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc across the Southeast last week, and Tampa Bay wasn’t spared. Among the destruction was Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays, which saw a significant chunk of its roof ripped clean off.

It’s a tough break for the Rays, who now find themselves scrambling for a place to play with Opening Day 2025 just around the corner.

The scene at the Trop is eerie. Photos show gaping holes in the roof, and with only a few months until the start of next season, it’s become clear the damage is too much to fix in time.

This latest hit comes ironically after years of back-and-forth talks about getting the Rays a new stadium. They finally reached an agreement to build a new ballpark in St. Pete earlier this year, but construction won’t be finished for a few more years.

RIP Tropicana Field…?

Now that the sun is up, here’s a 360-degree view of the damage Hurricane Milton caused to Tropicana Field’s roof and the inside of the ballpark. Absolutely heartbreaking 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZCtPHv6rE9

— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) October 10, 2024

So, what now? The Rays are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

My guess is George Steinbrenner Stadium in Tampa. The stadium can hold over 11 000+ fans. If the A's are doing it, why not the Rays? pic.twitter.com/yjZx2PS3kt

— Jeremy Filosa 🎙 (@JeremyFilosa) October 15, 2024

Another option is their spring training facility in Port Charlotte, but that venue only holds 5,000 fans—not exactly ideal for an MLB season.

Another possible solution could be using Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees’ spring training facility, which is a bit more accommodating and just a short drive away in Tampa.

According to The Tampa Bay Times, the Trop won’t be ready in time for the start of the 2025 season, which confirms the Rays are looking at a temporary home for at least part of the year.

Where will they play? Port Charlotte seems likely, and Steinbrenner Field might be a better fit for larger crowds.

Either way, it’s a rough situation for a team already dealing with ballpark headaches. With time ticking down, the Rays will need to figure out their next move sooner rather than later.

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