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NewsTampa Bay TimesOctober 25, 2026Hillsborough County

Tropicana Field Rebuilds After Hurricane Damage and Hosts World Series

Photo: Tampa Bay Times

Tropicana Field has returned to hosting baseball following a $59.7 million repair funded by the city of St. Petersburg after Hurricane Milton shredded its roof in October 2024. Workers rebuilt the stadium roof within 18 months, allowing the Tampa Bay Rays to return to the venue and eventually clinch an American League pennant.

SportsHurricanesInfrastructure
Read the full story at Tampa Bay Times

Why It Matters

The city of St. Petersburg invested $59.7 million to repair Tropicana Field, restoring the local stadium after Hurricane Milton and allowing the Tampa Bay Rays to resume play there ahead of a planned 2029 move to a new stadium in Tampa.

Key Facts

  • Hurricane Milton ripped the roof off Tropicana Field in October 2024, leaving the interior covered in fiberglass scraps.
  • The city of St. Petersburg approved a $59.7 million investment to repair the stadium rather than buying the team out of its lease.
  • Workers rebuilt the stadium roof over 10-hour days, six days a week, completing construction by November 2025.
  • Baseball returned to Tropicana Field 18 months after the storm, highlighted by a capacity crowd of 25,114 for the return game.
  • The Tampa Bay Rays went on to win the American League pennant, host playoff games with crowds reaching 40,000, and advance to the World Series.
  • The Tampa Bay Rays have signed a deal to move to a new stadium in Tampa, targeting an opening for the 2029 season.

Who's Mentioned

PersonRandy Arozarena“Rays player involved in the 2021 playoffs”PersonKen Welch“St. Petersburg Mayor”PersonAkinori Iwamura“Former Rays player who sent the team to the World Series in 2008”PersonBeth Herendeen“St. Petersburg’s lead on event facilities”locationTampa“City where the Rays plan to open a new stadium in 2029”PersonKen Babby“Team's CEO”PersonEvan Longoria“Former Rays player who hit a signature home run in 2011”PersonStevie Rasmussen“Wife of Drew Rasmussen”PersonAndy Freed“Rays radio broadcaster and master of ceremonies”PersonRhett“4-year-old son of Drew and Stevie Rasmussen”PersonDrew Rasmussen“Tampa Bay's top starting pitcher”locationSt. Petersburg“City that funded the stadium repairs”PersonJane Castor“Tampa Mayor”