Tampa Bay officials approve $2.36 billion stadium deal for the Rays

The Tampa City Council and Hillsborough County Commission have approved a funding agreement for a new $2.36 billion ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays. The proposed 30,000-seat stadium will serve as the centerpiece of a 130-acre mixed-use development on the site of Hillsborough College. According to the agreement, the team is responsible for approximately $1.4 billion of the project cost, while Hillsborough County will contribute $796 million and the city will provide $80 million. The facility is targeted for completion by Opening Day 2029. Rays CEO Ken Babby characterized the approval as a significant milestone for the franchise, which has navigated years of uncertainty regarding its long-term home. Ownership is now coordinating with officials and business partners to finalize the surrounding campus, which is designed to incorporate office space and community infrastructure.

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