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Tropicana Field Reopens After Hurricane Milton Damage
7 Apr
Summary
- The Tropicana Field reopened after Hurricane Milton caused extensive damage.
- The stadium's roof replacement and rebuild cost nearly $60 million.
- The Tampa Bay Rays won their first home game in 561 days.
The Tampa Bay Rays have returned to their home stadium, Tropicana Field, following an extensive 561-day closure due to Hurricane Milton. The storm, which struck on October 9, 2024, caused significant damage, necessitating a nearly $60 million renovation that included replacing the tilted roof and upgrading luxury suites and the video board. The Rays played their 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa while the repairs were underway.
The team marked its comeback with a 6-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Monday, playing before a sellout crowd of 25,114. This marked the first home win for the team's new ownership group, led by Patrick Zalupski, who purchased the Rays for $1.7 billion last year. Players expressed excitement about returning to the renovated stadium, with new artificial turf and upgraded clubhouse facilities.
The reopening also featured the debut of the "Cownose Clubhouse," home to seven cownose stingrays that had been relocated during the hurricane. The Rays are committed to playing at Tropicana Field through at least the 2028 season, although their new owners are pursuing plans for a new ballpark in Tampa.
