Honestly, if you took a look at the St. Petersburg skyline at the end of 2024, you saw a giant, shredded mushroom. That was Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton basically used the roof as a chew toy. For an entire year, the lights were out. The silence was weird. People kept asking: who plays at Tropicana Field now? For the 2025 season, the answer was "nobody." The Tampa Bay Rays had to pack their bags and head across the bridge to play at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees' spring training home in Tampa. It was a strange, outdoor existence for a team built for the AC.
But things have changed. Fast.
As of January 2026, the construction crews have pulled off something of a miracle. The roof is back on. The interior is being scrubbed of a year's worth of Florida humidity. Most importantly, the schedule is set. The boys are coming home.
The Tampa Bay Rays: The Trop’s Main Attraction
The primary answer to who plays at Tropicana Field is, and has been since 1998, the Tampa Bay Rays.
After their one-year "vacation" in Tampa, the Rays are officially returning to the Trop for the 2026 MLB season. Mark your calendars for April 6, 2026. That’s the home opener against the Chicago Cubs. It’s going to be a 4:10 p.m. first pitch, and you can bet the atmosphere will be electric. After the roof was shredded by 100-plus mph winds, the city of St. Petersburg spent nearly $60 million to fix the place up.
It wasn't just a patch job. They’ve installed a brand-new, German-engineered Teflon-coated roof. This one is rated for 165 mph winds. Basically, it’s built to handle the kind of weather that tried to take it down.
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Inside, the experience is going to feel different for the fans who remember the "old" Trop. The Rays have used this downtime to refresh the place. We’re talking:
- A massive, expanded main videoboard that'll actually make the replays readable.
- New video displays behind home plate and along the foul poles.
- A completely revamped sound system (hopefully no more muffled announcements).
- The "MaintenX SkyDeck," a new social space in left field with a view of the game and a vibe that feels more like a bar than a bleacher.
The team has even lowered ticket prices for about two-thirds of the seats. You can still grab those $10 tickets for every home game, which is kind of rare in pro sports these days.
Why the 2026 Season is a Big Deal
It’s not just about the return; it’s about the farewell. This 2026 season is one of the final chapters for the Rays at this specific location. The lease at Tropicana Field ends after the 2028 season. While there’s a massive $6.5 billion redevelopment plan for the "Gas Plant District" (the land the stadium sits on), the team's long-term future is currently the subject of intense debate.
New ownership, led by Patrick Zalupski, took over recently. They’ve been vocal about wanting a new stadium by 2029. Right now, there’s a lot of talk about a potential move to the Hillsborough Community College Dale Mabry campus in Tampa. Just this month—January 2026—the college board is voting on whether to even start negotiations. So, if you want to see the Rays play under the dome in St. Pete, your window is shrinking.
Beyond Baseball: Who Else Uses the Field?
While the Rays are the kings of the castle, the Trop hasn't always been just for baseball. Historically, it hosted the Gasparilla Bowl, a college football tradition.
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However, if you're looking for football in 2026, you're looking in the wrong place. Because of the hurricane damage and the tight repair schedule, major events were shifted elsewhere. The 2025 Gasparilla Bowl, featuring Memphis and NC State, was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. For now, the focus at Tropicana Field is strictly on getting the diamond ready for baseball.
In the past, the stadium hosted:
- The St. Petersburg Bowl (which became the Gasparilla Bowl).
- NHL Hockey: Believe it or not, the Tampa Bay Lightning played here in the mid-90s before their current arena was built. They even set attendance records because the place is so huge.
- The Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl: A classic era of Florida sports naming rights.
In 2026, once the Rays settled back in, expect the return of the usual suspects: high school graduations, some trade shows, and maybe the occasional monster truck rally. But the "who" is almost exclusively the Rays for the foreseeable future.
The Reality of the "New" Trop
People love to hate on Tropicana Field. It’s been called a "warehouse" and a "circus tent." But honestly? In July, when it’s 95 degrees with 90% humidity outside, that 72-degree air conditioning feels like a gift from above.
The 2026 version of the stadium is a bit of a hybrid. It has the same footprint, but with all-new turf (scheduled for installation in January 2026) and a roof that doesn't look like it’s held together by duct tape. The city owns the building, so they’ve been the ones footing the bill for the $22.5 million roof replacement. They had to. Under the lease agreement, the city is legally obligated to provide a playable facility for the Rays.
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What to Expect if You're Going
If you’re planning to catch a game this year, things are a bit different. The Fan Fest is usually the big kickoff, and for 2026, it’s happening on February 14. It’s going to be a block party style event on 16th Street South, right outside the stadium. Since the interior is still getting the final touches (like the new audio system and outfield padding), they’re keeping the fans on the sidewalk for one last month.
When you finally get inside in April, look for the tribute to Evan Longoria. He officially retired as a Ray recently, and the team saved his Hall of Fame induction and celebrations specifically for the return to the Trop. That weekend series against the Mariners (July 10-12, 2026) is going to be a sellout for sure.
Key Dates for Tropicana Field in 2026
- January: New turf installation and mechanical repairs.
- February 14: Fan Fest Block Party (outside the stadium).
- March: Final walkthroughs and stadium "stress tests."
- April 6: Home Opener vs. Chicago Cubs.
- July 10-12: Evan Longoria celebration weekend.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're heading to see who plays at Tropicana Field this season, here is how you should play it:
- Buy Early for April: The home opener is more than just a game; it’s a homecoming. The Rays are offering a "BOGO" deal where buying an April 6 ticket gets you a free ticket for a later game in April or May. Use it.
- Check the "Premium Preview Center": Since you can't walk the stadium yet, the team opened a pop-up store at 1101 1st Ave. They have a full-scale replica of the new seating and a virtual tour so you can see exactly what your view looks like before you drop the cash.
- Embrace the Social Spaces: The team is moving away from the "sit in your seat for three hours" model. The new SkyDeck and the 200-level suites are designed for people who want to move around, grab a craft beer, and actually talk to their friends.
- Watch the News in Tampa: Keep an eye on the Hillsborough Community College negotiations. If a deal is struck there, the 2026-2028 seasons at the Trop become a "farewell tour."
The Trop is back. It might not be the fanciest park in the league, but for the fans who survived a year of "home" games in a spring training park, that big blue glow on the St. Pete horizon is a sight for sore eyes. Go see the Rays while they're still in the neighborhood.
Next Steps for You: Check the official Rays website for the updated 2026 promotional schedule to see when the Evan Longoria bobblehead nights are officially slotted. If you're looking for tickets, the single-game sales are already live, and the 15% price reduction applies to most sections in the 100 and 300 levels.