Tampa Bay Rays Abandon Plans for $1.3 Billion St. Petersburg Ballpark, Will Play 2025 Season at Yankees’ Spring Training Facility
The Tampa Bay Rays have officially withdrawn from their planned $1.3 billion stadium project in St. Petersburg, marking a significant shift in the team’s future. The decision comes after months of speculation regarding financing and logistical challenges tied to the ambitious redevelopment plan.
As a temporary solution, the Rays will play their 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees in Tampa. The move raises further questions about the long-term future of the franchise in the Tampa Bay area, reigniting discussions on potential relocation or alternative stadium sites.
The decision to pull out of the St. Petersburg project is expected to have major economic and community implications, particularly given the original vision for the new ballpark to anchor a broader redevelopment initiative in the city’s historic Gas Plant District. Officials and team executives have yet to confirm the next steps in securing a permanent home for the franchise beyond 2025.
