The Tampa Bay Rays faced significant damage to their home stadium, Tropicana Field, as Hurricane Milton ripped the roof open on Wednesday night. The destructive winds resulted in pieces of the roof flapping in the air, exposing the field to the elements. The team stated it may take several weeks to assess the full extent of the damage caused by the storm. Despite the damage, no injuries were reported, as only a small number of essential personnel were inside the stadium at the time.
Prior to the hurricane, the Rays had planned to use Tropicana Field as a staging area for emergency management partners involved in storm recovery efforts. However, the forecasted intensity of Hurricane Milton led to a relocation of these personnel, as it was feared that the roof would not be able to withstand the powerful winds. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed that no state assets were inside the stadium when the storm hit. The Rays had initially built the roof to withstand winds up to 115 mph, but now face uncertainty regarding the future use of the field.
The Rays are expected to delay using Tropicana Field for games until March 27, 2025, which is Opening Day against the Colorado Rockies. Plans for a new stadium in the historic Gas Plant District, approved by local authorities, are underway, with an investment of over $6 billion in the St. Petersburg area over a 20-year period. Despite the setback caused by the hurricane, the team is hopeful for the completion of the new stadium in time for Opening Day in 2028. In the meantime, the Tampa Bay Lightning, another major sports team in the area, has postponed their home opener as recovery efforts continue in the aftermath of the storm.
Hurricane Milton is the second destructive system to hit the Tampa Bay area, following Hurricane Helene, which caused significant destruction and resulted in at least 230 casualties. The damage caused by these hurricanes highlights the vulnerability of the region to such natural disasters. The Rays are working to assess and address the damage caused to Tropicana Field while also supporting relief efforts for those impacted by the storms in the community. The team’s resilience in the face of adversity demonstrates their commitment to both their fans and the greater Tampa Bay area.
