In a surprising turn of events, the Tampa Bay Rays have announced they will play their entire 2025 home season at the New York Yankees’ spring training facility in Tampa, Florida. This unprecedented move comes in the wake of extensive damage to the Rays’ current home, Tropicana Field, caused by Hurricane Milton in October 2024.
Tropicana Field Sustains Significant Damage
The powerful Hurricane Milton made landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast last fall, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Tropicana Field, the domed stadium that has been home to the Rays since their inaugural season in 1998, was hit particularly hard. The hurricane tore off most of the stadium’s fabric roof and caused substantial water damage inside.
According to an assessment released by the city of St. Petersburg, which owns Tropicana Field, repairs to make the stadium viable for the 2026 season would cost an estimated $55.7 million. This hefty price tag, coupled with the Rays’ existing plans to move to a new $1.3 billion stadium in 2028, left the team scrambling for a temporary home for the 2025 season.
Yankees Step Up to the Plate
Enter the New York Yankees. In a display of sportsmanship and community support, the Yankees organization, led by executive Hal Steinbrenner, offered their spring training ballpark to the Rays for the duration of the 2025 season. Steinbrenner Field, located in Tampa, Florida, will serve as the Rays’ temporary home turf.
“This is a heavy lift for the Yankees. This is a huge ask by us and baseball of the Yankees,” said Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg. “[Hal Steinbrenner] did not waver for one second. I couldn’t have been more grateful.”
The agreement will see the Yankees receive approximately $15 million in revenue for hosting the Rays, though the funds will come from sources such as insurance rather than directly from the Rays organization.
Challenges and Opportunities
While Steinbrenner Field offers a lifeline to the Rays, it also presents some challenges. With a seating capacity of around 11,000, it is significantly smaller than the average MLB stadium. The Rays will need to adapt to playing in a more intimate setting, as well as contend with the hot, rainy Florida summer weather without the protection of a domed roof.
Despite these hurdles, Rays executives remain optimistic. Co-president Brian Auld emphasized the team’s commitment to creating a “Raysful” experience at Steinbrenner Field, saying, “There will be a ton of work toward putting in our brand.”
A Show of Unity in Challenging Times
The Rays-Yankees partnership for the 2025 season is a testament to the resilience and camaraderie within the baseball community. As Hal Steinbrenner noted, “In times like these, rivalry and competition take a back seat to doing what’s right for our community, which is continuing to help families and businesses rebound from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.”
This sentiment was echoed by Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, who praised the arrangement as beneficial for both the sport and the Tampa Bay region. “This outcome meets Major League Baseball’s goals that Rays fans will see their team play next season in their home market and that their players can remain home without disruption to their families,” Manfred said in a news release.
Looking Ahead
As the Rays prepare for their temporary residency at Steinbrenner Field, fans and players alike are gearing up for a unique season filled with both challenges and opportunities. While the circumstances are far from ideal, the team’s determination to make the best of the situation is a shining example of the indomitable spirit that defines baseball and the communities it serves.
With the support of their fans, the Yankees organization, and the larger baseball community, the Rays are poised to make the most of their 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field. As they navigate this unprecedented journey, one thing remains certain: the love of the game and the strength of those who play and support it will carry them through, no matter where they call home.
