The Tampa Bay Rays are set to make a major announcement on Tuesday concerning the development of a brand new stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. The brand new stadium shall be situated close to the present Tropicana Area web site as a part of the redevelopment of the Historic Gasoline Plant District. It’s anticipated to be open for the 2028 season.

Preliminary data means that the brand new stadium may have a hard and fast dome roof and a man-made turf area. It’s estimated to have a seating capability of round 30,000 and price over $1.2 billion. The funding for the challenge will come from contributions from the crew, St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County.

Rays principal proprietor Stuart Sternberg has expressed optimism about reaching a take care of town and county by the tip of the 12 months. He has additionally said that the crew expects to finance not less than half of the stadium challenge and is searching for buyers to contribute to the remaining price in change for shares within the crew.

The brand new stadium settlement will present the crew with a brand new house after their 30-year lease at Tropicana Area expires in 2027. Staff officers anticipate that the brand new stadium will result in elevated revenues by larger attendance and extra sponsorship offers. These elevated revenues will permit them to enhance amenities and improve participant payroll.

This announcement brings an finish to a 16-year seek for a brand new stadium, which included proposed websites in each Tampa and St. Petersburg. Regardless of exploring the potential of constructing a stadium in Tampa, negotiations didn’t progress far sufficient to ascertain a financing bundle. Moreover, a plan to separate house video games between Montreal and Tampa was rejected by Main League Baseball officers.

The announcement ought to put an finish to hypothesis concerning the crew doubtlessly relocating to cities like Nashville or Las Vegas. Additional particulars concerning the Rays’ announcement are at the moment not obtainable.