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3w ago

St. Petersburg Approves $22.5 Million for Tropicana Field Roof Repairs

The new roof, necessary for the Tampa Bay Rays' return in 2026, marks the first phase of a $56 million repair project following Hurricane Milton's destruction.

An aerial view shows the damaged Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, in St. Petersburg, Florida U.S., October 10, 2024. REUTERS/Marco Bello/Fiel Photo
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Overview

  • The St. Petersburg City Council voted 7-1 to allocate $22.5 million for a new Teflon-coated fiberglass roof for Tropicana Field, destroyed by Hurricane Milton in October 2024.
  • The repairs are part of a broader $56 million project to restore the stadium, which the city is contractually obligated to complete under its lease with the Rays.
  • The Rays are playing the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa and are expected to return to Tropicana Field for the 2026 season.
  • The new roof, designed to withstand winds up to 165 mph, will be fabricated in Germany and assembled in China, raising concerns about potential cost increases due to U.S. tariffs.
  • The Rays' withdrawal from a $1.3 billion new stadium project has left their long-term future in St. Petersburg uncertain beyond their lease, which expires in 2028.