Rays Return to Repaired Tropicana Field for World Series as Election Nears

The Tampa Bay Rays returned to Tropicana Field for World Series Games 3, 4 and possibly 5 after Hurricane Milton shredded the stadium's roof in October 2024. The damage left the ballpark in tatters and raised doubts about whether the team would ever play there again.

Nearly $60 million was spent to replace the roof and rebuild the stadium. The Rays returned 18 1/2 months later to begin the current season after playing their 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

“If you're going to the Rays game, you're welcome, because a lot of folks didn't want to repair the Trop, and now it is better than ever.”

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said his team completed the repairs on time and under budget, making the home games possible. He is using the championship run as a central part of his reelection argument about one week before the November 3 vote.

City Council approved $59.7 million for the repair project, with partial reimbursements coming from insurance and federal disaster relief. The city has an unspent balance of about half a million dollars.

The Rays trail the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0 in the World Series and must win four of five games to claim their first championship in the franchise's 29th season. A Game 7, if necessary, would be played in Milwaukee on Halloween night.

During the renovation, the Rays were sold to a group led by real estate developer Patrick Zalupski. The new ownership approved a financing plan for a $2.3 billion, 31,000-seat ballpark in Tampa scheduled to open in 2029.

Welch selected Blake Investment Partners this summer to redevelop the 86-acre Tropicana Field site and said he wants a second term to see that vision through.