The Tampa Bay Rays have released new renderings for a proposed $2.3 billion stadium that would anchor a massive mixed-use development in Tampa.
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On March 2, the Major League Baseball franchise unveiled a video presentation highlighting a new ballpark it described as its “forever home.” The stadium would be built on roughly 130 acres in Tampa’s Westshore District near the Hillsborough Community College Dale Mabry campus.
The proposed stadium site would sit across from Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The project would also be located next to Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees.
According to reports, the Rays said they would fund roughly half of the stadium’s cost, while the remaining funding would need to come from Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa.
The proposed 31,000-seat stadium would anchor a broader development featuring retail space, parks, and walkable public areas designed to transform the surrounding district into an entertainment destination.
The team estimates the broader development could generate more than 39,000 construction jobs, based on projections from RCLCO.
The Rays have tapped Gensler as the master planner for the entire project, while Populous will design the stadium itself.
Renderings show a modern ballpark integrated into a larger district with residential, retail and green spaces, reflecting a growing trend in professional sports developments where stadiums serve as anchors for broader urban redevelopment.
Compared with recent stadium projects, the Rays’ plan stands out for its scale. For instance, construction of the new home of the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park generated roughly 10,000 construction jobs. However, the Tampa project’s mixed-use scope dramatically increases its projected employment impact.
If built, the project would represent one of the largest sports-anchored developments in the southeastern United States.
The ballpark plan is still in its early stages and requires additional approvals before construction can begin.
In January, the board of trustees for Hillsborough Community College unanimously approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Rays, marking the first step toward a potential agreement to build the stadium and surrounding development.
The agreement established a 180-day exclusive negotiation period to finalize terms covering the ballpark, mixed-use district and new facilities for the college.
A key milestone came Feb. 24, when Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet voted to transfer 22 acres of state land to Hillsborough Community College to support the project. The agreement stipulates that the land must be used for a stadium and mixed-use development within five years, or it could revert back to the state.
The Rays’ pursuit of a new stadium predates recent weather-related challenges affecting their current home.
In the fall of 2024, Hurricane Milton severely damaged the roof of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, where the Rays have played since 1998.
During the 2025 season, the team temporarily moved its home games to Steinbrenner Field while repairs were underway.
The stadium, often called “The Trop,” is undergoing a $59.7 million repair and renovation project and is expected to reopen in time for the Rays’ 2026 home opener against the Chicago Cubs on April 6. The team remains under contract to play at Tropicana Field through the 2028 season.
The Rays had previously pursued a separate stadium proposal in St. Petersburg.
In 2024, officials in Pinellas County approved public financing for a $1.3 billion stadium as part of a larger $6.5 billion redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District.
Under that plan, Skanska USA Building was expected to oversee construction of the project while also serving as the owner’s representative for the stadium.
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However, Hurricane Milton’s damage to Tropicana Field and the surrounding region created financial uncertainty for the project. In July 2025, county commissioners voted to delay bond approvals for the stadium.
By March 2025, the Rays formally exited the deal, with team presidents Brian Auld and Matt Silverman citing delays in financing that threatened the project timeline.
While the Tampa proposal represents the team’s latest effort to secure a new home, it has already drawn scrutiny from local stakeholders.
At a public forum held March 3, students from Hillsborough Community College raised concerns about the potential impact of traffic and construction on the surrounding campus and neighborhood.
Members of the Tampa Sports Authority also questioned the financial structure of the project.
“If it gets built, I don’t think the Rays want to pay one dime in taxes on a $2.3 billion stadium,” said sports authority board member Joseph Robinson.
Officials from the Rays organization and the sports authority did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the proposal.
Originally reported by Zachary Phillips, Editor in Construction Dive.
