Fans ecstatic over Rays ‘The Trop’ reopening

Article posted by Coliseum, April 8^th, 2026

Image: Tropicana Field, Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0

For the first time in 561 days the gates at the Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida (US) were back open for baseball on April 6^th.

What we know: A year and a half after Hurricane Milton’s winds ripped the stadium’s roof to shreds the Major League Baseball (MLB) team Tampa Bay Rays took to the field on April 6^th for their home opener against their peer team – the Chicago Cubs.

‘FOX 13’ stated that for many fans the return to St. Petersburg was a milestone they feared might never happen.

The 45,369-capacity Tropicana Field is a domed multipurpose stadium located in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States. ‘The Trop’ is the home of the Major League Baseball (MLB) team Tampa Bay Rays.

The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area (US). The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League East Division.

Tucker Truman, a fan attending the game, said, “I’m at a loss for words for how excited I am to be honest with you. It’s just really awesome. I was here like a week after the roof got blown off. It was, it was devastating. I was worried we’d never be back here or something would have to happen. But I’m really excited.”

‘FOX 13’ further stated that many fans said they were most excited about the air-conditioning inside ‘The Trop’.

Dig deeper: The road to recovery was an all-hands-on-deck effort. The construction crews had to wait for the roof to be replaced before they could begin restoring the stadium’s interior.

At the peak of the project roughly 300 workers were on site daily. They were honored in a pregame ceremony for their efforts.

The new roof consists of 24 panels each weighing nearly 5,000 pounds. Unlike the previous double-paneled version the new single-panel design allows more natural light into the stadium. According to the team officials, the players have already noted that the increased brightness makes it easier to track fly balls.

The backstory: The renovations extended well beyond the roof. The crews also replaced the turf, the sound system, the lighting, the lockers, and the carpets in the locker rooms and more.

Said Bill Walsh, Rays Chief Business Officer (CBO), “The Tropicana Field looks better than it ever has.”

Walsh said when he was looking at the roof in tatters, in the aftermath of Milton, a day like today didn’t seem possible.

Added Walsh, “We didn’t know if we were going to play another baseball game at the Tropicana Field at that point. We really didn’t. The damage was extensive, the extent of it was really unknown. To be here today and welcome the fans back into the building for the first time is just incredible.”

The upgrades: The Rays started the season on the road and that allowed just enough time to get everything ready. There was some last-minute painting just to make it first pitch-ready.

Continued Walsh, “I mean there are folks who have been here for the last two to three days straight without going home.”

The team said the new owners spent their own money to enhance the fan experience, from new technology and signage to a new speakeasy for the ticket holders behind the home plate.

There are touchless vendor stands that allow the fans to grab-and-go along with some new menu items for the foodies.

What they’re saying: Stated fan Lilly Felder, “We’ve been missing it. We’ve been waiting and waiting. It’s just so exciting to have them back in St. Pete.”

While the facility looks brand-new the team is ensuring the community does not forget the storm that displaced them. Each player’s jersey features a patch with pieces of the original roof sewn into the fabric. It’s a tribute also available on the jerseys sold in the team store.

The St. Pete City Council approved almost $60 million for the stadium repairs. The city is legally obligated to make the repairs.

The city expects a $16.5 million reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the possibility of more. The insurance covered approximately $11 million and the city leaders are seeking additional funding from the State to cover the remaining costs.

Washington, D.C.,(US)-based the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) primary purpose is to coordinate the response to a disaster that has occurred in the United States and that overwhelms the resources of the local and the State authorities.

To welcome the fans back to ‘The Trop’ the Rays announced that every ticket purchased for a home game in April includes a $10 credit which can be used for concessions or merchandise.

The cherry on top of the day is the Rays beat the Cubs 6-4.

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