**Tampa Bay Rays Secure Temporary Home at Steinbrenner Field for 2025 Season**

In the wake of Hurricane Milton's devastating impact on Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Rays have made arrangements for a temporary home for the 2025 season. The hurricane, which hit on October 10, 2024, wreaked havoc on the ballpark by tearing off its roof, leaving significant damage that will take over a year to repair. As Tropicana Field undergoes extensive restoration, it is expected to be ready by 2026.

The Rays will utilize George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, as their temporary venue for home games in 2025. This 11,000-seat stadium is typically the spring training ground for the New York Yankees, an American League East rival. According to reports from The Tampa Bay Times, the Yankees will receive approximately $15 million in revenue from this agreement, as stated by the Associated Press.

Stuart Sternberg, the Rays’ Principal Owner, expressed deep gratitude towards the Yankees for their cooperation. “We deeply appreciate the Yankees for allowing us to use Steinbrenner Field next season,” Sternberg said. Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner also commented, “We are happy to extend our hand to the Rays and their fans. Both the Yankees organization and my family have deep roots in the Tampa Bay region, and we understand the importance of having the Rays’ home games close to Tropicana Field.”

The destruction caused by Hurricane Milton extended beyond the roof damage. Initially, Tropicana Field was set to serve as a base for 10,000 people aiding with hurricane recovery efforts. The preliminary damage assessment revealed that the ballpark sustained $39 million in damages, which will require $55.7 million to repair. These repairs are anticipated to be completed in time for the 2026 season.

Amid these challenges, the Rays continue to press on with their plans to construct and open a new stadium by 2028. It remains uncertain how the ongoing repairs to Tropicana Field might influence these long-term plans.