Steinbrenner Field Conversion
- Due to Hurricane Milton’s damage—$56 million worth of roof and structural harm at Tropicana Field—the Rays will play their entire 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ spring-training home in Tampa (
- MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed the upgrades for this conversion will exceed $50 million, covering expanded weight rooms, training areas, dining spaces, and clubhouse facilities; all to provide a full MLB experie
Tropicana Field Roof Repairs
- St. Petersburg has committed $22.5 million for repairing Tropicana Field’s dome, targeting completion before the 2026 season
Gas Plant District Ballpark
- Pinellas County and St. Petersburg city previously approved bonds totaling $312.5 million and $417.5 million respectively, as part of a new $1.3 billion stadium project in the Historic Gas Plant District, tentatively set to open in 2028
So… What About the “$77.6 Million” Figure?
- There’s no record in current reporting of a $77.6 million renovation tied directly to the Rays or any local stadium project for 2025.
- It’s possible this figure is a misquote or misinterpretation of the separately confirmed $56 million in hurricane damage plus anticipated suburban upgrades.
- It may also refer to a combination of costs—from Steinbrenner upgrades and Tropicana repairs—but no reputable source confirms that exact sum.
Summary by Expense
| Purpose | Year | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steinbrenner conversion | 2025 | > $50M | MLB-confirmed upgrades) |
| Tropicana roof repairs | 2025/26 | $22.5M | City-funded after June vote |
| New ballpark funding | 2028 (planne |
- 2025 will see a temporary but extensive makeover of Steinbrenner Field (at least $50M+) and essential repairs to Tropicana Field.
- 2026 onward focuses on completing the dome repairs, with the goal of resuming games at Tropicana.
- 2028 remains the target for opening the brand-new, mixed-use ballpark in the Gas Plant District—but this is a large-scale, multi-year effort backed by public and private funds, not a single $77.6M commitment.
Bottom Line
While $77.6 million hasn’t been formally confirmed, the >$50 million Steinbrenner transformation and $22.5 million roof repairs do represent substantial, confirmed investments totaling near $72.5 million. Given the proximity, it’s easy to see how the larger figure might have been circulated—but it isn’t officially referenced in verifiable source
