The Tampa Bay Rays will return to Tropicana Field for the 2026 season after spending 2025 at Steinbrenner Field while their home stadium underwent repairs from Hurricane Milton damage.

The team announced Wednesday that repairs to the stadium’s roof and interior are ongoing, with a planned home opener against the Chicago Cubs on April 6, 2026.

“We are excited to return home to Tropicana Field in April and to once again join our fans and neighboring businesses in downtown St. Petersburg in celebrating the return of Rays baseball,” team CEO Ken Babby said in a statement.

Hurricane Milton tore through Tropicana Field’s cable-supported domed roof in October 2024. The stadium, which opened in 1990, featured panels made of translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass supported by 180 miles of cables.

During their temporary relocation to Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees, the Rays finished 41-40 and drew 786,750 fans over 81 games, selling out 61 contests. Playing outdoors for the first time, the team experienced 17 rain delays totaling nearly 18 hours across 16 games.

The renovated stadium will include an expanded main videoboard, new video displays behind home plate and along the foul poles, a new sound system, and updated suite interiors. New ticket options go on sale Thursday.

The team also announced it will honor former third baseman Evan Longoria with induction into the team’s Hall of Fame.

The Rays finished 77-85 in 2025 and missed the playoffs. The franchise has new ownership and is searching for a new ballpark that could open in 2029.

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