Tampa Bay Rays switch to Yankees training home due to Tropicana Field damage

The Tampa Bay Rays will play the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season at the New York Yankees’ spring training home due to the extent of hurricane damage at Tropicana Field.

The Rays stadium in St. Petersburg was significantly damaged by Hurricane Milton on October 9 and will not be available when the team opens the regular season in late March. The storm blew large parts of the 43,000-capacity stadium’s roof away, with repairs set to cost more than $55m.

Having already announced that Tropicana Field would not be usable during 2025, the Rays have now confirmed their switch for the season to the Yankees’ 11,000-capacity George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The Rays described Steinbrenner Field as the best-prepared and largest facility in the Tampa Bay region and noted a series of renovations have recently been undertaken. The Yankees will continue to play spring training games at Steinbrenner Field in 2025, and the Rays will continue to use Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte for their spring training workouts and games.

“We deeply appreciate that the Yankees have graciously allowed us to play at Steinbrenner Field for the 2025 season,’’ said Stuart Sternberg, the Rays’ principal owner. “The hurricane damage to Tropicana Field has forced us to take some extraordinary steps, just as Hurricanes Helene and Milton have forced thousands of families and businesses in our community to adapt to new circumstances as we all recover and rebuild.”

MLB welcomes collaboration

Recent renovation projects at Steinbrenner Field include upgraded field lighting, expanded home locker room space, and improved training and rehabilitation capabilities. Additional improvements are expected to be made before the regular season to ensure fans continue to have a wonderful experience at Rays games.

MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred said: “Given the significant challenges caused by Hurricane Milton, I appreciate the hard work and collaboration between the two teams that allowed the Rays to make the best decision for next season.

“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.”