MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed today that the Tampa Bay Rays, displaced by Hurricane Milton, will play all their postseason home games—including the World Series—at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ spring training site in Tampa. “Our rule has always been that people play in their home stadiums during the World Series,” said Manfred. “And I’m not of a mind to change that rule. I understand it’s a unique situation. It’s different, but that’s where they’re playing. That’s where they’re going to play their games.”
Analysis: What This Means for MLB & the Rays
- Unprecedented Venue: Steinbrenner Field seats roughly 10,046 fans—the smallest ballpark to ever host MLB postseason games
- Broadcast & Revenue Challenges: With limited seating, there are concerns about media accommodations, sponsor allocations, and players’ postseason shares (typically tied to ticket revenues). MLB is reportedly considering temporary seating expansions to offset this
- Stakeholder Considerations: Typically, MLB reserves around 7,500 seats per postseason game for sponsors, media, and league officials—leaving minimal capacity for general fans
Team Context: Rays & A’s in Minor‑League Settings
The Rays displaced Tropicana Field due to significant roof damage from Hurricane Milton in October 2024. They relocated to Steinbrenner Field for 2025 and aim to return in 2026
Simultaneously, the Oakland A’s are playing in a low-capacity minor league park in West Sacramento until their new Las Vegas stadium opens in 2028
Fan & Team Reaction
- Rays’ Front Office: President Erik Neander applauded the clarity this brings: “There’s no one distracted by that… It’s nice to have clarity as to how that could play out.”
- Local Media: The Tampa Bay Times described it as a practical solution, reinforcing “home-field advantage” with the support of the local fanbase
Why MLB Stayed Firm
- Consistency with Policy: Manfred reiterated MLB’s traditional stance—teams must host postseason games in their current home stadiums, regardless of capacity issues
- Neutral-site Option Rejected: Alternative venues like LoanDepot Park in Miami or Truist Park in Atlanta were considered but ultimately dismissed
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