Tropicana Field roof damaged as Hurricane Milton makes landfall
Parts of the roof of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., were torn off after Hurricane Milton made landfall. (Credit: X /Bill Carl Johnson)
Hurricane Milton devastated parts of Florida in October. Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays for 26 seasons, was damaged as the storm made landfall.
While the structural integrity of the domed baseball stadium does not appear to have been compromised, its roof will have to be replaced, according to an assessment report.
The report was sent to members of the St. Petersburg City Council Tuesday and provided a potential timeline and budget for repairs. Tropicana Field is not located within Tampa's city limits. It is owned by the neighboring City of St. Petersburg.
According to the damage assessment report, repairs will cost an estimated $55.7 million and could be completed prior to the start of the Rays' 2026 regular season.
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The damaged roof of Tropicana Field the morning after Hurricane Milton hit the region Oct. 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
The report did not list all items to be repaired, but it calculated that Hurricane Milton caused approximately $39 million in damage. It also factored in an additional $16 million in costs for design, permitting, insurance, inspections, staffing and construction contingencies.
Eighteen of the ballpark’s 24 fabric panels failed Oct. 9, the report found. There was also damage to interior portions of the stadium due to rainwater and other storm-related causes. The ballpark opened in 1990 and has been the Rays’ home since they entered the league in 1998.
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St. Petersburg previously introduced plans to build a new $1.3 billion stadium, which could open by 2028. Tropicana Field will be demolished once the new ballpark is ready. With unforeseen costs to the city and Pinellas County from two hurricanes — vast amounts of debris removal, damage to parks and infrastructure — two of the main financial sources for the new ballpark could reconsider those plans or decide not to repair Tropicana Field at all.
A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field, which was torn open by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Fla., Oct. 10, 2024. (Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images)
The St. Petersburg City Council will discuss the report at its Nov. 21 meeting.
"We have so much need across the city," council member Brandi Gabbard said at a meeting last week. "I love the Rays. I love Tropicana Field. It’s not about not wanting to do this. It’s about a balance of priorities."
The council recently approved a $6.5 million cleanup of the ballpark to protect it from any further damage, including waterproofing areas such as the press box, seating sections and scoreboard.
The city does have an insurance claim for the damage and repairs, but it includes a $22 million deductible and probably would only cover part of the overall costs. That means taxpayer money may have to be used.
Tropicana Field before a game between the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports)
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said the city anticipates that insurance and Federal Emergency Management Agency funds will cover the bulk of repair expenses.
"We believe having our hometown team play in St. Petersburg as soon as possible is important for our community," Welch said in a statement.
Since the ballpark would not be ready until the 2026 season, the Rays must find another place to play next year.
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Major League Baseball prefers the Rays remain in the area near their fans if possible and has suggested several Tampa Bay-area spring training sites. They include ballparks in Clearwater (Phillies), Tampa (Yankees), Dunedin (Blue Jays), Sarasota (Orioles), Lakeland (Tigers) and the Rays’ own spring training home in Port Charlotte. Most of these locations host minor league teams during the summer.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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