Tampa Bay Rays to Play at George M. Steinbrenner Field in 2025 Due to Hurricane Milton Damage

The Tampa Bay Rays have announced that they will be playing their regular season games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa for the 2025 season. This decision comes after Hurricane Milton caused significant damage to Tropicana Field, the team’s usual home, on October 9, 2024.

The storm’s winds destroyed a large portion of Tropicana Field’s fiberglass roof, exposing the field, video equipment, and other facilities to heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Although the damage is believed to be non-structural, the cost to repair it could reach $55 million, according to a report obtained by FOX 13 Tampa Bay.

George M. Steinbrenner Field, which is typically used by the New York Yankees during Spring Training, has been chosen as the temporary home for the Rays due to its readiness to host regular-season MLB games. The field is undergoing additional upgrades to prepare for the 2025 season.

Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg expressed gratitude to the Yankees for allowing the team to use Steinbrenner Field. “The hurricane damage to Tropicana Field has forced us to take some extraordinary steps, just as hurricanes Helene and Milton have forced thousands of families and businesses in our community to adapt to new circumstances as we all recover and rebuild,” Sternberg said.

The New York Yankees will continue to use Steinbrenner Field for Spring Training in 2025, while the Tampa Bay Rays will use Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida, for their Spring Training.