You’re sitting on a grassy berm, the Florida sun is doing its thing, and a guy next to you is wearing a vintage gradient jersey with a giant stingray on it. He calls them the "Devil Rays." You don't correct him. Honestly, half the people in the stands at Charlotte Sports Park still call them that, even though the "Devil" was exorcised from the name back in 2008.
Baseball is funny like that. Memories stick.
But as we roll into the 2026 spring season, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays spring training experience is about way more than just nostalgia. It’s about a team that’s basically mastered the art of doing more with less, even when Mother Nature tries to tear their roof off. Literally.
The 2026 Return to Normalcy (Sorta)
If you followed the chaos of 2025, you know the Rays were a team without a home. Hurricane Milton shredded the roof of Tropicana Field, forcing the squad to play their "home" games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. It was weird. It felt like living in your rival's basement.
Now, things are looking up. While the Trop is being patched up for the regular season, the Rays are back at their true spring home: Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte.
Mark your calendars for February 21, 2026. That’s the home opener against the Atlanta Braves.
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The schedule this year is actually pretty packed. We’re talking 32 games in total. One of the coolest dates on the docket is March 4, when the Rays take on Team Netherlands. It’s a tune-up for the World Baseball Classic, and those international games always have a different energy—lots of flags, lots of noise, and players who are actually trying to win instead of just getting their work in.
Why We Still Say "Devil" Rays
Look, I get it. The official name is just the Rays. Stuart Sternberg changed it because he wanted to distance the franchise from a decade of losing and, apparently, some people weren't fans of the "Devil" connotation.
But you can't kill a brand that looked that cool.
The 1998 expansion aesthetic is having a massive moment right now. Walk through the team store at Charlotte Sports Park and you’ll see just as much purple and yellow as you do navy and light blue. The team knows it, too. They lean into the "Devil Ray" history with Throwback Thursdays and specific merch drops because, frankly, that's what the fans want.
It’s a bridge between the expansion era and the modern "efficiency machine" the Rays have become.
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What to Expect at Charlotte Sports Park
If you’ve never been to Port Charlotte for a game, it’s about 80 miles south of St. Pete. It’s not fancy. It’s not the sprawling metropolis of some of the newer Cactus League facilities in Arizona. But that’s the charm.
Basically, it’s a 360-degree experience. You can walk the entire boardwalk around the outfield without ever losing sight of the plate. Here's a quick breakdown of how to handle a day at the park:
- The Tiki Bar: It’s in center field. It has a roof lined with old baseball cards. It is the spiritual heart of the stadium. If you aren't grabbing a drink there by the third inning, are you even at spring training?
- Autograph Alley: Located near the kids' play area. Because the facility is smaller (about 6,800 capacity), the players are actually accessible. You’ll see guys like Yandy Díaz or the new crop of prospects actually stopping to sign for kids.
- The Berm: Tickets are cheaper, and you can stretch out. Just bring sunscreen. The Florida sun in late February doesn't play around, and there is zero shade on those grass hills.
Parking this year is $15. Don't bring cash; the whole place is digital now. You’ll need the MLB Ballpark app for everything from your tickets to your hot dog.
The Roster Shuffling Nobody Expected
The 2026 offseason has been... a lot.
Seeing Brandon Lowe traded to the Pirates was a gut punch for long-time fans. He was one of the last remaining links to those deep playoff runs. With him gone and Shane Baz over in Baltimore, the vibe in camp this year is going to be very "New Era."
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Keep an eye on the non-roster invitees. The Rays just signed veterans Edward Olivares and Blake Sabol to minor league deals with invites to camp. These are classic "Rays moves." They find guys who struggled elsewhere, tweak one thing in their swing or defensive positioning, and suddenly they're 3-WAR players.
Watch the middle infield battles. With Lowe gone, there’s a massive hole at second base. Whether they fill it with a prospect or a rotating cast of utility guys is the big question everyone will be asking during those 1:05 p.m. starts.
How to Actually Watch the Games
If you can’t make the drive to Port Charlotte, watching the Tampa Bay Devil Rays spring training games has gotten a bit more complicated with the rebranding of regional sports networks.
- FanDuel Sports Network: (Formerly Bally Sports Sun). They’ll have the bulk of the local broadcasts.
- Amazon Prime: If you’re in Florida, you can actually add FanDuel Sports Network as a channel now. It’s way easier than dealing with a cable box.
- MLB.TV: Great if you’re out of market, but local blackouts still apply for the live stuff.
- Radio: Honestly, there’s nothing better than Dave Wills and Andy Freed (or the current crew) calling a sleepy Tuesday afternoon game while you're doing yard work.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
Don't just wing it. If you're heading down to see the "Devil" Rays in action, do these three things:
- Buy the "Triple Play" Package: The team is offering a 3-game bundle this year that lets you skip some of those annoying processing fees. It’s the best way to see the Braves, Yankees, and Red Sox without getting gouged.
- Arrive 90 Minutes Early: Gates open an hour and a half before first pitch. If you want a spot at the Tiki Bar or a prime piece of real estate on the berm, you need to be there when the locks turn.
- Check the Prospect List: The Rays rarely play their starters past the 5th inning in February. Print out a list of the minor league camp invites. You’re going to see a lot of jersey numbers in the 70s and 80s by the 7th inning, and some of those kids will be stars in 2028.
Spring training is about hope, but for the Rays, it’s also about the grind. Whether you call them the Devil Rays or just the Rays, the atmosphere in Port Charlotte remains one of the best "small-town" baseball experiences left in the big leagues. Grab a program, find some shade, and enjoy the smell of fresh-cut grass.
Check the official MLB Ballpark app for the most recent roster moves before you head to the gate, as the non-roster invitee list usually changes right up until pitchers and catchers report.