A combination of hurricane damage to Tropicana Field and political delays on financing means it is highly unlikely the Tampa Bay Rays’ planned new stadium will be ready for the 2028 season, if at all

Pinellas County Commissioners voted to again delay a measure to approve bonds that would help fund a new ballpark for the team.

The 2025 Rays will not be the first MLB team to play regular season games outdoors in Florida. Nor will they be the first to have such games at a spring training venue.

In a new letter to the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, the Tampa Bay Rays said a new ballpark can't be delivered for the start of the 2028 season and that opening a ballpark in 2029 would be too expensive.

The team's presidents say the deal was halted after county commissioners delayed the bonds that would pay for their share of the stadium.

The new stadium's future is in doubt after delay of bond vote. New stadium's future in doubt after delay of bond vote

A combination of severe hurricane damage to Tropicana Field and political delays on financing means it is highly unlikely the Rays’ planned new stadium will be ready for the 2028 season, if at all.

Two hours before a crucial vote, the Rays sent a stern letter to Pinellas County commissioners informing they can no longer move forward with a new stadium deal under the current terms. However, the letter said the team stands “ready to work on a new solution” in Tampa Bay.

The Tampa Bay Rays plan to move out of its home county temporarily has reportedly angered commission members set to vote on bonds for a new ballpark.