Updates from Under the Roof

We can’t wait to open the doors of Tropicana Field on April 6, 2026 and bring fans back home! The recovery process following Hurricane Milton in October 2024 required patience and persistence, and we’re grateful for the support along the way. Now that the roof is secure, we’re in the final stretch and focused on preparing the ballpark for baseball UNDER THE ROOF!

New and Improved Premium Seating

DEX Home Plate Club

The DEX Home Plate Club, located steps behind the action, has been completely overhauled to become a uniquely special and luxurious space for members. Spaces that were previously used for storage and food service rooms located behind the seating area have been redesigned into a series of premium areas that DEX Home Plate Club members can now enjoy. The first of these areas is a new speakeasy, featuring craft cocktails and a comfortable lounge—complete with media for fans to follow action around Major League Baseball. Just behind the speakeasy is a new specialty candy room with nostalgic, curated treats for fans of all ages.

The Baldwin Group Club

The Baldwin Group Club, located on the fourth floor of Tropicana Field, underwent a comprehensive redesign, complete with new flooring, expanded media and video wall, lighting, and lounge furniture. Additionally, exciting new food and beverage offerings, including equipment and chef-driven action stations, have been upgraded to provide an elevated culinary experience for fans.

The Tropicana Room

Located within The Baldwin Group Club, the newly reimagined Tropicana Room has also been fully renovated and will serve as the exclusive dining area and lounge for the DEX Home Plate Club. These spaces will also be available for special events and rental opportunities on non-game days.

Enhanced Suite Experience

Introducing the MaintenX SkyDeck

Roof Complete, Field Work Moves Forward

Specialized Installation

Installing the panels at Tropicana Field presented its own unique challenges. The ballpark’s iconic dome shape meant traditional equipment, like boom lifts, couldn’t reach the installation points. Instead, crew members relied on ropes and harnesses, carefully suspending themselves more than 200 feet above the field while cranes lifted the panels into position. Using a system of winches, the team then pulled and stretched each panel into place with precision.

Each panel installation required a continuous six-hour window of clear, stable weather. Conditions were closely monitored, and if lightning entered the area, work immediately stopped, and the process had to restart to ensure safety. Once a panel was laid, it took an additional six days of gradual adjustments and securing before it was fully set.

Creating the Playing Field

With the roof now complete, Tropicana Field is one step closer to returning to full playing conditions. The arrival of the ballpark’s dirt, formally known as the infield mix, marks the next phase. This engineered blend of sand, silt, and clay will soon serve as the foundation for the 2026 Tampa Bay Rays.

Returning Ballpark Bites

Tropicana Field Bites

Historic Statues Back at Tropicana Field

These iconic Rays player statues were welcomed home to Tropicana Field! After spending more than a year at the team’s nearby temporary offices, the bronze tributes - honoring Evan Longoria’s unforgettable walk-off home run to clinch the 2011 postseason and Akinori Iwamura’s pennant-clinching out in the 2008 ALCS – have returned to Gate 4. These statues of defining moments in franchise history were originally unveiled outside the ballpark in 2023 as part of the Rays 25th anniversary celebration. Their return marks a true homecoming and a reminder of these enduring symbols of Rays history.

New Turf Installed at Tropicana Field

Tropicana Field is one step closer to game-ready conditions with the arrival and installation of its new turf this week. Following the installation of a ¾-inch mat padding over the concrete floor, the field will feature more than 137,000 square feet of Shaw Sports Turf, striped in dark and light green for a classic ballpark look.

The outfield turf is installed in 15-foot panels, while the infield panels measure 7.5 feet wide, separated by 450 tons of DuraEdge infield clay. The green turf uses a coconut and sand mix, while the orange turf for the warning track - stretching from the visiting team’s bullpen mound to the Rays bullpen mound - features a walnut shell and sand mix.

The installation of Tropicana Field’s turf marks another visible milestone in the ballpark’s transformation and a clear sign that baseball is returning — UNDER THE ROOF!

Rays Rookies Kids Club is Back!

Step up to the plate and join the fun with Rays Rookies Kids Club! Rays Rookies, the official youth fan club of the Tampa Bay Rays, is back in action for the 2026 season. Fans ages 14 and under can register for a FREE membership to access exclusive events and experiences, special ticket offers, gifts, and more. Upgrade to a paid Rays Rookies membership to access even more exciting benefits. Register today.

Countdown to April 6, 2026
Days
Hrs
Mins
Secs