New Tampa Stadium Plan Gets Green Light

The city council and county commission in Tampa have signed off on a first‑draft plan to build a new baseball park for the Rays. The project is set to cost about $2. 3 billion, with the team footing roughly $1. 27 billion. The county will contribute around $796 million and the city about $180 million, all drawn from existing tax revenue. No new taxes are on the table. The ballpark will seat 31, 000 fans and is slated to open in time for the 2029 season. It will sit on Hillsborough College’s campus, next to Steinbrenner Field and near the Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium. The county will own the venue and lease it to the Rays for an initial 35‑year term, with options to extend later.Public reaction was mixed. More than fifty people spoke at a hearing; many wore Rays gear and urged the project forward, while others warned that taxpayer money should not be used for a sports stadium when other needs exist. Council members listened but ultimately decided to keep the plan alive, noting that a final agreement would still need further votes. The Rays’ owner said they are willing to adjust the plan if concerns about public spending grow. A council member asked for clearer rules on how tax money would be used, and another highlighted the importance of protecting residents’ interests. The debate shows that even after approval, the project is far from finished. Beyond the stadium itself, the plan includes private investment for restaurants, bars and retail on a 128‑acre site. State funds of about $150 million are earmarked for college repairs and road upgrades, but none will go directly to the ballpark. The project follows a failed St. Petersburg plan and a recent hurricane that damaged the Rays’ current home field.