Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, has officially reopened following extensive repairs necessitated by damage sustained during Hurricane Milton in October 2024. The stadium, located in St. Petersburg, Florida, had remained closed for the entire 2025 MLB season as restoration efforts took place.

Hurricane Milton’s powerful winds and heavy rainfall caused significant destruction to the stadium’s Teflon roof panels, detaching them from their supports and exposing the interior to severe water intrusion. While initial reports showed visible roof damage, the underlying issues were far more extensive. Tropicana Field’s design as an indoor stadium meant it lacked a natural drainage system, which resulted in millions of gallons of rainwater accumulating inside, akin to a bathtub without a drain. This flooding led to severe damage across nearly every part of the facility.

Faced with the prospect of a lengthy closure, the Rays sought temporary alternatives to host home games for the 2025 season. The New York Yankees offered their spring training venue, Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, as a temporary home ground. Rays CEO Ken Babby emphasized the importance of remaining in the Tampa Bay area during the repairs, noting the generosity of the Yankees in accommodating their division rivals. Despite the convenience, players and fans alike missed the comfort of Tropicana Field’s air-conditioned environment, with fan host Patty Flack recounting how early enthusiasm for an open-air stadium gave way to appreciation for the Trop’s climate-controlled setting amid Florida’s summer heat.

The cleanup and renovation process was one of the largest undertakings the city of St. Petersburg had ever managed. Estimates placed repair costs near $60 million, significantly higher than the $25 million insurance coverage the city held for the stadium. Although legal responsibility was a matter of negotiation, Babby praised the city’s commitment and efforts, calling the restoration “nothing short of a miracle.” The city enlisted AECOM, a national construction and engineering firm, to oversee the intricate repairs, which included replacing the playing field and addressing structural damages across the stadium.

With the repairs now complete, Tropicana Field welcomes fans back for the 2026 MLB season, restoring the Rays’ home to full operational status after a year-long hiatus caused by one of the most destructive hurricanes to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast in recent memory.