Tampa Bay Rays return to St. Pete: Tropicana Field reopens for 2026 home opener

Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field

The Tampa Bay Rays are returning to Tropicana Field on Monday for the first time since October of 2024. FOX 13's Kellie Cowan reports.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Rays are playing at Tropicana Field on Monday for the first time since Hurricane Milton destroyed the field in October 2024.

The backstory:

Tropicana Field needed major repairs after Milton swept through and tore off the roof, forcing the team to play the 2025 season in Tampa at the Yankees’ Steinbrenner Field. The Rays opened their 2026 season on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals last month.

The repairs the Trop needed before Monday's reopening included replacing the roof, installing new turf and remediating water damage throughout the interior, among other things.

Monday's game is already sold out, and the team will play against the Chicago Cubs. According to the MLB, this marks the 20th consecutive season the Rays have sold out their home opener, excluding the 2020 season, which was played without fans.

WATCH: Rays offering perks for home opener

The first 10,000 fans at the home opener will receive a Schedule Magnet, presented by Orlando Health. If you're headed to the Rays home opener Monday, or any game in April. The team is giving fans a $10 credit for ballpark snacks or new Rays gear.

What's next:

Monday’s game against the Chicago Cubs starts at 4:10 p.m.

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