Tropicana Field Roof Repairs Begin Amid Rays Stadium Uncertainty

Following significant damage to Tropicana Field's roof caused by Hurricane Milton, repair efforts are actively underway to ready the stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays' return in the 2026 season. Roof installation preparations, including netting for work platforms and safety fencing, are in progress with the main roof panel installation scheduled from August to December 2025. The overall repair project, estimated to cost around $55 million, will focus on roof restoration first, followed by interior repairs and turf installation to be completed by April 2026. Despite these efforts, the Rays are playing the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa due to the stadium damage, and the team's long-term future in St. Petersburg remains uncertain after a prior $1.3 billion new stadium deal was abandoned. Reports indicate the Rays' current ownership is close to selling the team to a group favoring relocation within the Tampa Bay area, potentially impacting the team's residence at Tropicana Field beyond their current contract through 2028. The city and county officials are committed to fulfilling contractual obligations to repair Tropicana Field to withstand future Category 3 hurricanes under updated building codes.