Dale Mabry Stadium
| Location | Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 27°58′29″N 82°30′23″W / 27.97472°N 82.50639°WCoordinates: 27°58′29″N 82°30′23″W / 27.97472°N 82.50639°W Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed. |
| Capacity | 31,000 (planned) |
| Acreage | 113 (total development); Stadium TBD |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 2026 (planned) |
| Opened | 2029 (planned) |
| Construction cost | $2.3 billion (estimate) |
| Tenants | |
| Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) | |
Dale Mabry Stadium Is a proposed ballpark in Tampa, Florida. If constructed, it would serve as the home of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball. This is the latest proposal for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium, in addition to Gas Plant Stadium proposed in 2023, Ybor Stadium proposed in 2018 and Rays Ballpark proposed in 2007. The Rays have played in Tropicana Field since their inaugural season in 1998, with the exception of the 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field as a result of the impact of Hurricane Milton.
This project is spearheaded by new Rays owner Patrick Zalupski.[1] The plan for this stadium and surrounding development is inspired by The Battery associated with Truist Park, home ballpark of the Atlanta Braves.[2][3][4][5] This 31,000 seat ballpark is projected to open in time for the 2029 Major League Baseball season, which follows the end of the team's contract to play at Tropicana Field through the 2028 season. The push for a new home for the Rays is due to the cost replacing the roof at Tropicana Field, plus other maintenance costs associated with the stadium which was built in 1990.[6]
Approval Stage
On January 20, 2026, the Board of Trustees for Hillsborough College unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for initiating discussion to negotiate a contract to build a baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays.[7][8] In addition to this MOU, the organization would still need approval from Tampa City Council and the Hillsborough County Commission prior to beginning construction.
As part of the development process, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis indicated that the state owned land on which Hillsborough College sits would be transferred to the institution, then the team would then negotiate directly with the college. DeSantis further stated that state funding would not likely be used to directly fund the stadium.[9]
On February 4, 2026, the Hillsborough County Commission unanimously approved a proposal to pursue financial framework to help finance the stadium.[10]
The stated goal is to have the stadium completed and ready for use for Major League Baseball opening day in 2029.[11]
This plan has gained support of Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the team is actively courting the community surrounding the stadium development. At MLB's quarterly meeting, Commissioner Manfred stated he is supportive of the work of the new owners and is optimistic about the project going forward.[12]
Hillsborough College would see ancillary benefit from this project. With a number of buildings on campus at 50 years old, upkeep costs have become increasingly expensive.[13]
Funding
Initial estimates of the cost for just the stadium are set at $2.3 billion, based on cost estimates provided by Skanska. Additional funds would be needed for the surrounding development and relocation of the Hillsborough College buildings. The Rays are seeking a private/public partnership to help fund the stadium. The Tampa Sports Authority has been involved in these discussions.[14][15] The team is expected to fund over half of the cost of the initial stadium build, in addition to any renovations, maintenance or repairs incurred over the life of the stadium. Potential funding by Hillsborough County would be sourced from bonds issued by a Community development district surrounding the stadium and tourist facing taxes such as hotel bed fees and the tax on short-term rentals.[16]
It's estimated that the commission is willing to commit $800 million in bonds to help fund the project, which is less than the estimated $1.15 billion in public funds needed for the project. Part of the discussion revolved around how much "community investment" tax would be required for use in funding.[17] Any future funding proposals would be presented to the Tampa Sports Authority, the city of Tampa and the Hillsborough County commission.[18]
On February 24, 2025, the Florida Cabinet and Governor Ron DeSantis granted an adjacent 22 acre property to Hillsborough college, which is to be included in the negotiation of this ballpark district.[19]
Project Layout
The site would included a baseball stadium in the southeast corner of the property along Dale Mabry Highway in the "Champions Corner" section. Hillsborough College relocating to the southwest portion of the property in the "Innovation Edge". This construction would not be part of the ballpark construction, but operated by Hillsborough College. Supplemental development would also be built in the northwest portion of the property in "The Canopy" section.[20][21][22][23] The size of the entire project is estimated to be 113 acres, with the ballpark itself occupying a smaller section thereof.[24] In an effort to make the site available for year-round use, the land around the stadium is anticipated to included residences, retail, restaurants and bars.[25] The entire development, stadium plus additional amenities across the 113 acre site, could total $8-10 billion in combined total investment.[26] Rays ownership cited ease of entry and exit as a priority for this project.[27]
The first stadium renderings were released on the project website on February 5, 2026. Contained on the official website, economics impact provided by RCLCO include: $34 billion in economic impact over 30 years, 9.8 million annual visitors and 11,908 estimated new on-site jobs.[28][29]
Of the proposed 113 acres of development overall, 22 acres would be designated for use for Hillsborough College specifically. [30]
References
- ↑ "Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark quest takes step forward with possible Hillsborough College site". Associated Press News. January 20, 2026.
- ↑ Rojas, Josh (October 7, 2025). "Tampa Bay Rays' new owners share plans for team, new stadium, championship aspirations". Bay News 9. Archived from the original on October 9, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Mayer, Rick; Newborn, Steve (October 7, 2025). "New Rays owners offer criteria for Tampa-area stadium search, with a plan to open by 2029". WUSF.
- ↑ Mayer, Rick (January 22, 2026). "What if the Rays can't build on Hillsborough College land? Don't forget Orlando". WUSF.
- ↑ Moske, Nina; Villamil, Nicolas; Marques, Lucy; Topkin, Marc (February 3, 2026). "DeSantis, MLB commissioner say Rays 'belong in Tampa Bay'". Tampa Bay Times.
- ↑ Frisaro, Freida (January 28, 2026). "DeSantis, MLB commissioner say Rays 'belong in Tampa Bay'". Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 3, 2026. Retrieved February 25, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Moske, Nina; Wright, Colleen; Marques, Lucy (January 20, 2026). "Hillsborough College board approves plan to pursue Rays stadium deal". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on January 21, 2026. Retrieved January 21, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Moske, Nina; Villamil, Nicolas; Marques, Lucy (January 20, 2026). "The Rays have a stadium site. What will it take to build a ballpark?". Tampa Bay Times.
- ↑ LLovio, Louis (February 3, 2026). "DeSantis, MLB commissioner support Tampa Bay Rays' stadium plans". Business Observer.
- ↑ Rojas, Josh (February 4, 2026). "Commissioners agree to move Rays' Hillsborough College stadium talks forward". Bay News 9.
- ↑ Axelbank, Evan (January 26, 2026). "Rays stadium needs Tampa City Council, Hillsborough County support - What city, county leaders are saying". Fox 13. Archived from the original on January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 27, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Topkin, Marc (February 12, 2026). "Rob Manfred, MLB owners offer praise, support for Rays' stadium plan". Tampa Bay Times.
- ↑ Lenning, Jason (February 24, 2026). "Florida Cabinet approves land gift to Hillsborough College for Rays Stadium". Bay News 9.
- ↑ Wright, Colleen (January 27, 2026). "Rays stadium at Tampa's Hillsborough College could cost $2.3 billion". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on January 29, 2026. Retrieved January 28, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Dangerfield, Dalia (January 28, 2026). "Councilman pushes Rays to pay for new stadium; team CEO says partnership needed". Bay News 9.
- ↑ Villamil, Nicolas (February 2, 2026). "Rays tell Hillsborough they'll cover at least 50% of Tampa stadium cost". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Rojas, Josh (February 4, 2026). "Commissioners agree to move Rays' Hillsborough College stadium talks forward". Bay News 9. Archived from the original on February 5, 2026. Retrieved February 4, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Frisaro, Freida (February 3, 2026). "Florida's DeSantis and MLB commissioner support new Rays stadium in Tampa". Associated Press.
- ↑ Lanning, Jason (February 24, 2026). "Florida Cabinet approves land gift to Hillsborough College for Rays Stadium". Bay News 9.
- ↑ Berry, Adam (January 20, 2026). "Rays enter non-binding agreement to pursue stadium plan at Hillsborough College". MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 21, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Newborn, Steve (January 20, 2026). "Hillsborough College opens talks on building Rays' ballpark on campus land". WUSF.
- ↑ Tucker, Rachel; Patterson, Jeff; Parker, Marilyn (January 20, 2026). "Hillsborough College board approves proposal for Rays stadium on Dale Mabry campus". WFLA. Archived from the original on January 21, 2026. Retrieved January 21, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Axelbank, Evan; Curtis, Genevieve (January 20, 2026). "Rays, Hillsborough College enter 'Memo of Understanding' to start developing stadium, campus plans". Fox 13. Archived from the original on January 21, 2026. Retrieved January 23, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Cowan, Kellie; Massarelli, Katelyn (February 3, 2026). "Tampa Bay Rays backed by DeSantis, MLB commissioner for potential stadium deal with Hillsborough College". Fox 13.
- ↑ "Gov. DeSantis, others, lend support to Rays' stadium proposal". Bay News 9. February 3, 2026. Archived from the original on February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Cowan, Kellie; Axelbank, Evan (February 4, 2026). "Tampa Bay Rays' massive development plans revealed by Hillsborough commissioners". Fox 13.
- ↑ Newcomb, Tim (February 20, 2026). "Renderings Show Vision Of Tampa Bay Rays Proposed Stadium At New Site". Forbes.
- ↑ "Tampa Bay Rays".
- ↑ "Rays share initial renderings for new proposed ballpark". MLB. February 5, 2026.
- ↑ Villamil, Nicolas; Moske, Nina (February 20, 2026). "How will the Rays use Hillsborough College's land for a stadium?". Tampa Bay Times.
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