Brodie Brazil video / Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 / The Tampa Bay Rays have secured final approvals for a new $2.3 billion fixed-roof stadium in Tampa. Both the Tampa City Council and the Hillsborough County Commission voted to pass the historic financing agreement. The approved deal solidifies the relocation of the franchise from St. Petersburg to a brand-new destination neighborhood in Tampa. The funding responsibilities break down as follows:
- The Tampa Bay Rays
: Responsible for $1.37 billion (roughly 63% of the cost) plus any potential construction overruns.
- Hillsborough County
: Committing $796 million , funded through tourist development taxes, Community Investment Tax dollars, and county reserves.
- City of Tampa
: Committing $80 million , which will initially be structured as an city-side advance loan.
The fixed-roof ballpark will feature a minimum of 28,000 seats. It will be built on the Hillsborough College North Dale Mabry campus, positioning the team closer to the center of the local regional population. Per the MLB Announcement
, the county will own the stadium while the Rays sign a 35-year lease paying $4 million annually in rent.