Rays Transform Yankees’ Ballpark into Home in Historic Move

TAMPA, Fla. — In a historic move within Major League Baseball, the Tampa Bay Rays officially took over George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 28, 2025, transforming the New York Yankees‘ spring training venue into their temporary home. This extraordinary shift came in the wake of damage inflicted on Tropicana Field by Hurricane Milton, which forced the Rays to relocate for the season.

The transformation began after the Rays’ exhibition game against the Yankees Sunday afternoon, when they received the keys to the stadium for the upcoming season. Over a short four-day window before the season opener, the Rays launched an unprecedented rebranding effort, with more than 80 staff members and 50 contractors working tirelessly to give the facility a Rays identity ahead of Friday’s opening game.

“There’s no playbook for this. I’ve compared it to building a plane while you fly it,” said Bill Walsh, the Rays’ chief business officer. “We really had to invent things as we went along.”

With a staggering 3,000 new signs and changes to both the interior and exterior branding, the stadium underwent a massive overhaul. The Rays also opted for minimal repainting since their colors closely resemble those of the Yankees, a rare concession during the tumultuous transition.

Walsh noted the primary goal was to create a comfortable environment for the players. “As soon as the guys get here, we want them to feel like home,” he remarked. Enhancements were also made to the players’ facilities, including a remodeled home clubhouse and operational updates to improve broadcast capabilities.

The collaboration between the Rays and Yankees was underscored by a one-year agreement that granted the Rays full use of Steinbrenner Field. The deal involves more than $15 million to the Yankees, further emphasizing the unusual dynamics of sharing a venue with a rival.

As the Rays adapted to their new surroundings, they faced further logistical challenges. The press box had to be adjusted to accommodate media coverage adequately, and new camera feeds were installed to ensure broadcasters could capture the action effectively.

Despite reservations about the stadium’s capacity — Steinbrenner Field holds just 11,026 fans compared to Tropicana Field’s over 42,000 — the opening day saw a sellout crowd of 10,046. This included Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and MLB deputy commissioner Dan Halem, marking a significant moment for the franchise.

On opening day, outfielder Kyle Misner etched his name in history by hitting a walk-off home run against the Colorado Rockies, making him the first player to hit their first major league homer as a walk-off on Opening Day. “It’s like a Hollywood movie script right there,” said Rays pitcher Ryan Pepiot.

The move to Steinbrenner Field may present revenue challenges for the Rays, especially amid the backdrop of ongoing discussions regarding a new stadium. Team officials remain optimistic that the fan experience will be enhanced even in a smaller venue.

As the new season begins, the Rays are committed to embracing their unique circumstances. “We get to Friday and then we have 22 games in the next 19 days or whatever it is,” said Warren Hypes, the team’s vice president of creative and brand. “The work is just beginning.”