The Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium project faces ongoing uncertainty. Although the Pinellas County Commission initially approved the necessary bonds for a new stadium, recent delays and postponed votes have complicated the timeline, pushing back the expected opening from 2028 to 2029, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
This raises the question of where the Rays will play in 2025. In November, it was announced that the team will temporarily relocate to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, but this interim solution has sparked some controversy and may not be ideal for all parties involved.
As for the Rays’ long-term home, several cities are emerging as potential destinations for relocation. These include Nashville, Tennessee; Salt Lake City, Utah; Charlotte, North Carolina; Portland, Oregon; Austin, Texas; Raleigh, North Carolina; and even Montreal.
Although the Rays have expressed a strong desire to remain in the Tampa Bay area, the ongoing delays and financial complications surrounding the stadium project could force the team to consider other locations. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has shown a preference for keeping the Rays in their current market, given Tampa Bay’s value and success as a baseball market. However, the league is open to exploring relocation options if the new stadium project continues to stall and doesn’t come to fruition.
This situation highlights the complex and evolving nature of the Rays’ future in Tampa Bay, with the possibility of relocation looming if a new home stadium isn’t secured in time.
