Gallery: Tropicana Field hurricane damage seen in newly released photos

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - We’re getting our first look at damage inside Tropicana Field thanks to new photos released by the Tampa Bay Rays. 

The images, taken in the days after Hurricane Milton ripped most of the fiberglass fabric roof off the stadium, show what happened when the storm’s 101-mph wind gusts swirled inside the ballpark. 

The shredded white fabric fell in pieces, draped across the catwalks and rows of seating as well as the field of play. The hurricane also sent insulation and other debris raining down throughout the stadium, creating a mess across the field, concession areas, broadcast booths, and even the rays touch tanks.

The photos show apparent water damage in office spaces, along with standing water in areas around the field.

Hurricane Milton’s damage

By the numbers: Hurricane Milton came ashore as a powerful Category 3 storm just south of St. Petersburg, blasting the city with winds as high as 101 mph and dumping up to 18 inches of rain. 

Eighteen of Tropicana Field’s 24 fabric roof panels failed in the storm. The Rays said only a handful of "essential personnel" were inside Tropicana Field at the time but no one was injured.

An assessment of the damage concluded that the stadium is structurally sound and can be repaired for about $55.7 million in time for the 2026 season. But with the 34-year-old ballpark due to be replaced in a few years, next steps are not clear.

Where will the Rays play?

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - October 22 Views of the damage from Hurricane Milton at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. on October 22, 2024. (Will Vragovic / Tampa Bay Rays)

What we know: The Rays will play next season at the Yankees’ spring training home across the bay in Tampa. Steinbrenner Field is smaller and does not have a roof, but it keeps the Rays in the Tampa Bay area.

What we don’t know: Where the Rays will play beyond that. Construction was due to start on Tropicana Field’s replacement – with a targeted completion date of 2028 – but the team put those plans on hold after county commissioners delayed a vote to approve a $312.5-million bond payment for the project.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - October 16 Interior views of Tropicana Field after being severely damaged by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Fla. on October 16, 2024. (Will Vragovic / Tampa Bay Rays)

What they’re saying: "The county’s failure to finalize the bonds last month ended the ability for a 2028 delivery of the ballpark," the Rays said in a team press release. "As we have made clear at every step of this process, a 2029 ballpark delivery would result in significantly higher costs that we are not able to absorb alone."

"There's a lot of uncertainty with respect to the situation in Tampa; much of that uncertainty, we just don't control," Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said at the league's owners' meetings on Wednesday. "We need to let the government officials in Tampa Bay sort out where they are on a variety of issues. I understand the delay given the kind of damage that they suffered down there. We're just going to have to wait for some of that uncertainty to resolve itself."

What’s next: The St. Petersburg City Council meets Thursday afternoon with two Rays-related items on the agenda: the plan to repair Tropicana Field and the loan needed to help finance the new stadium. 

"Partnership has always been key to this plan, and the success of the plan going forward largely depends on the commitment of our partners to those agreements," St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch offered. "We will continue to work with our partners towards that successful outcome."

At least one politician in Tampa, meanwhile, says he's ready to welcome the Rays permanently, though no stadium site is readily apparent.