Following last month’s approval of the new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark financing by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and Tampa City Council, the Rays today took another step toward bringing the project to life with the announcement of the Rays Ballpark Experience Center opening in early 2027.
The Rays Ballpark Experience Center will be a one-of-a-kind destination, offering fans, sponsors and premium partners – both current and prospective – a unique opportunity to visualize and experience the future Rays ballpark and surrounding mixed-use district, years before the ballpark is scheduled to open in 2029.
“The Rays Ballpark Experience Center, when it opens in a few months in Westshore, will be what ‘Forever is Now’ is all about,” said Rays Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby. “Rays fans, sitting anywhere from general to premium seating, will no longer have to imagine their experience in our new ballpark. One visit to the Experience Center will make it all real and serve as a reminder of why we love baseball, and especially our team. The Experience Center will also preview the new mixed-use district plus a chance to preview our new district with engagement with hotel, office, and retail-related experiences.
“As important, our sponsors and marketing partners will see how their investment in the ballpark will deliver an entirely new level of energy and connection with Rays fans and their target audiences, which are often the same. The Experience Center will illustrate how signage, activation, client engagement, and opportunities that may have been difficult to imagine not long ago will be possible when the Forever Home opens in 2029.”
The Experience Center will be located at 1111 North Westshore Boulevard at Westshore City Center, owned by Ally Capital Group and leased and managed by Franklin Street. Approximately one-third of the nearly 15,000-square-foot center will be open to the public and feature retail, family-friendly experiences, coveted Rays memorabilia, and exhibits highlighting the new ballpark and surrounding district. Fans will be able to explore a digital preview of the ballpark and campus, create a personalized baseball card, and discover new Rays experiences celebrating the past, present, and future.
The remaining space will offer an appointment-only, immersive journey designed to help prospective season ticket members, premium clients, and partners envision their place and experience in the new ballpark and district. Leveraging advanced technology, visitors will be able to explore different seating viewpoints, hospitality and premium offerings, group areas, and elements of the complete ballpark and district experience.