Quick Notes: Tampa Bay Rays reach deal for new stadium in St. Petersburg to open in 2028

According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays have reached a deal for a new stadium in Florida.

Rendering of proposed Rays stadium and surrounding redevelopment as envisioned by the team and the Hines real estate group. [ Courtesy of Gensler architectural firm ]

According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Tampa Bay Rays are expected to announce a deal tomorrow, Tuesday, September 19 for a new stadium ending speculation that the team would be moving to a new city.

Here are some details from the Tampa Bay Times about the new stadium:

• The stadium is expected to have a fixed dome, seat around 30,000 people, and open in 2028, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

• The Rays’ 30-year lease on their current stadium, Tropicana Field, will end in 2027. The new stadium will be built near the Trop as part of the redevelopment of downtown St. Petersburg’s Historic Gas Plant District.

• Costs for the new stadium are reportedly expected to exceed $1.2 billion and be paid for with contributions from the Rays, the city of St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County.

Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg told the Tampa Bay Times on Sept. 8 that talks with the city and county were “moving along at a very nice pace” and he was “highly optimistic” of a deal being reached by the end of the year.

A rendering of the Rays' proposed stadium design for the Tropicana Field site. [ Courtesy of Gensler ]