MLB Rumors: Rays' Tropicana Field Won't Be Ready for Kickoff After Hurricane Damage | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

After the devastating impact of Hurricane Milton, which destroyed the roof of Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly likely to be evicted at the start of the 2025 season.

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times“The only thing that seems certain” is that the Rays “will not be able to open the 2025 Major League Baseball season at home on March 27 as scheduled.”

Topkin added that Tampa Bay faces a number of question marks that will be resolved in the coming weeks, including “where the Rays will play, how long they will be displaced and what repairs will be needed beyond a new custom roof to get to the game.” Tropicana Field.” The franchise plans to open a new stadium at a site adjacent to Tropicana Field in 2028, but failed to prepare for the significant damage caused by recent extreme weather events.

For security reasons, access to Tropicana Field was “extremely limited,” according to Topkin. In addition to the destruction of the roof, it is likely that other areas of the stadium also suffered damage that could bring its structural integrity into question.

Rays management sent a brief memo to staff last week acknowledging that there were “more questions than answers.” Topkin reported that another update to employees is planned for this week.

The team faces the possibility of needing a temporary home for a few months, an entire season or even the full three years until the new stadium opens. Topkin noted that there will be “a long list of options, perhaps 50 locations long.” Multiple minor league/spring stadiums in Florida could be a viable option, and the Rays' Triple-A site in Durham, North Carolina is also being considered.

As for the damage to Tropicana Field, the City of St. Petersburg is responsible for the cost of the repairs and has insurance to help cover the costs. However, restoring the stadium will not be easy.

“It's a little complicated how the Tropicana Field fund works, but there is insurance on the property,” said City Manager Rob Gerdes. “So the first thing we’ll look at is property insurance to help with repairs.”