Tampa City Council approves $2.3 billion Rays ballpark deal
5 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 29, 2026, 4:12 AM
Last updated Aug 29, 2026
On August 27, 2026, the Tampa City Council voted 4-3 to approve a $2.3 billion deal for a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark. The plan involves both public and private funding, with $967 million allocated from tax revenue. Rays CEO Ken Babby highlighted the potential long-term benefits of the project for the region. The new stadium is set to be built on the campus of Hillsborough College, which includes a mixed-use entertainment district. The Rays currently play at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg and hope to complete the new venue within three years, while the team's lease at the Trop runs through at least the 2028 season.
- •Council vote took place on August 27, 2026.
- •New ballpark funding includes $967 million in tax money.
- •Stadium to be located on Hillsborough College campus.
- •Rays aim for completion of new stadium within three years.
- •Current lease at Tropicana Field runs through at least 2028.
- 4:12 AMYahoo Sports — Tampa Bay officials OK new $2.3B stadium for Rays baseball team
- 3:37 AMAssociated Press — Tampa Bay Rays set for new $2.3B stadium project after county and city approve financing plan - AP News
- 1:48 AMYahoo Sports — Tampa Bay Rays set for new $2.3B stadium project after council and city approve financing plan
- 10:40 PMYahoo Sports — Tampa Bay Rays set for new $2.3B stadium project after county and city approve financing plan
- 1:37 AMESPN MLB — Tampa approves $2.3B deal for new Rays stadium
- 11:59 PMYahoo Sports — Tampa approves $2.3B deal for a new Rays ballpark
"The Tampa Bay Rays got county approval Friday on a financing plan that will allow them to build a new stadium, a day after city officials approved their part for the $2.3 billion ballpark project that will replace the domed Tropicana Field. The Hillsborough County Commission voted 5-2 on Friday to approve its $796 million share of the mixed-use entertainment district that includes a new 31,000-seat stadium that will be near Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Rays' new stadium is expected to open in 2029.
"City officials on Thursday approved a $2.3 billion deal for a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark funded by public and private money. The 4-3 vote by the Tampa City Council came three months after a tentative agreement was reached for a stadium, which would include $967 million in tax money. Rays Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby said in a statement that the stadium project will “deliver lasting benefits” for the region.
"TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - The Tampa Bay Rays got county approval Friday on a financing plan that will allow them to build a new stadium, a day after city officials approved their part for the $2.3 billion ballpark project that will replace the domed Tropicana Field. The Hillsborough County Commission voted 5-2 on Friday to […]
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 29, 2026, 4:12 AMTampa Bay officials OK new $2.3B stadium for Rays baseball team
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - The Tampa Bay Rays got county approval Friday on a financing plan that will allow them to build a new stadium, a day after city officials approved their part for the $2.3 billion ballpark project that will replace the domed Tropicana Field. The Hillsborough County Commission voted 5-2 on Friday to […]
- Associated PressAug 29, 2026, 3:37 AMTampa Bay Rays set for new $2.3B stadium project after county and city approve financing plan - AP News
The Tampa Bay Rays have secured county approval for a financing plan to build a new stadium. This comes a day after city officials approved their part of the $2.3 billion project. he new 31,000-seat stadium will be near Raymond James Stadium and is expected t…
- Yahoo SportsAug 29, 2026, 1:48 AMTampa Bay Rays set for new $2.3B stadium project after council and city approve financing plan
The Hillsborough County Commission voted 5-2 on Friday to approve its $796 million share of the mixed-use entertainment district that includes a new 31,000-seat stadium that will be near Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Yahoo SportsAug 28, 2026, 10:40 PMTampa Bay Rays set for new $2.3B stadium project after county and city approve financing plan
The Tampa Bay Rays got county approval Friday on a financing plan that will allow them to build a new stadium, a day after city officials approved their part for the $2.3 billion ballpark project that will replace the domed Tropicana Field. The Hillsborough County Commission voted 5-2 on Friday to approve its $796 million share of the mixed-use entertainment district that includes a new 31,000-seat stadium that will be near Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Rays' new stadium is expected to open in 2029.
- ESPN MLBAug 28, 2026, 1:37 AMTampa approves $2.3B deal for new Rays stadium
By a 4-3 vote, the Tampa City Council approved a $2.3 billion deal for a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark funded by public and private money.
- Yahoo SportsAug 27, 2026, 11:59 PMTampa approves $2.3B deal for a new Rays ballpark
City officials on Thursday approved a $2.3 billion deal for a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark funded by public and private money. The 4-3 vote by the Tampa City Council came three months after a tentative agreement was reached for a stadium, which would include $967 million in tax money. Rays Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby said in a statement that the stadium project will “deliver lasting benefits” for the region.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
MLB•Oct 21, 2026, 10:00 AMToday on Pinstripe Alley – 10/21/26
MLB•Oct 21, 2026, 10:00 AMBlue Jays Send Spencer Miles Warning After Breakout Heroics
MLB•Oct 21, 2026, 5:52 AMWhy Joey Votto was fine with Rays superstar Junior Caminero ‘dunking’ on Cade Smith with extreme celebration- MLB•Oct 21, 2026, 4:59 AMBraves predicted to sign veteran $6M World Series champion, two-time Gold Glove winner
MLB•Oct 21, 2026, 3:17 AMOn New PBO Taylor Smith: What’s In A Number?
MLB•Oct 21, 2026, 2:32 AMMichael Kay Drops Blunt Quote on Yankees’ Controversial Aaron Boone Decision
