ST. PETERSBURG -- Tropicana Field has its signature look back.
The 24th and final roof panel was put in place atop The Trop on Thursday, restoring the tilted white roof in what the Rays called “a massive step forward for us, The City of St. Pete and Rays fans everywhere” as they prepare to return to the dome next season.
“Interior construction is full steam ahead!” the club said in a newsletter sent to fans on Friday morning. “Our team is working to get ready for Opening Day, and we can’t wait to see you back at Tropicana Field!”
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said in a statement on his Facebook page that the roof installation was completed ahead of schedule. Welch added that contractors will now focus on interior repairs, which are scheduled to be complete by April.
Tropicana Field’s roof was ripped open when Hurricane Milton tore through Florida’s Gulf Coast and the Tampa Bay area in October 2024, causing significant damage to the Rays’ home ballpark. The Rays were forced to spend this past season playing their home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the Yankees’ Spring Training home.
“Last year, The Trop’s tattered roof quickly became a symbol of Hurricane Milton’s impact. One year and some change later, the beautifully repaired roof represents our city’s resilience and determination,” Welch said. “This challenging project was carried out with precision, skill, and teamwork between our City staff, contractors, and international suppliers -- and the results speak for themselves.”
In a social media post, Rays CEO Ken Babby said he was “beyond thankful” to the City of St. Petersburg and the contractor AECOM Hunt “for delivering on this first major milestone” to bring the Rays back home.
The Rays expect to have the ballpark repaired -- with some additional upgrades -- in time for their home opener against the Cubs on April 6. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred offered an encouraging update on Wednesday during the league’s owners meetings.
“They expect the roof to be dried out the first week in December, which is a really important milestone for us,” Manfred said. “There's going to be new turf and padding, new flooring throughout, renovations of the suites, the seating areas; all the air quality tests have come back fine, so we're really pleased with the progress that made it at The Trop.”
The Rays’ use agreement with St. Petersburg covers three more seasons at Tropicana Field, keeping them at the ballpark through the 2028 campaign. The club’s new ownership group is in the early stages of securing a long-term home in the area, with the ambitious goal of moving in for Opening Day in 2029.