It’s been 18 months since Hurricane Milton unleashed strong winds that tore the roof off Tropicana Field and devastated parts of St. Petersburg, Florida. FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne reports live from the stadium as it prepares to reopen after extensive repairs. For the first time in over 500 days, the Tampa Bay Rays will return to their home field with their fans for today’s first pitch against the Chicago Cubs!
TAMPA BAY, Fla. – As we are nearly two weeks into the start of the MLB season, the Tampa Bay Rays have reopened their stadium for the first time since Hurricane Milton tore through Florida.
For the first time in 561 days, the Tampa Bay Rays reopened Tropicana Field for their first home game of the season against the Chicago Cubs on Monday.
This comes after Hurricane Milton tore through Florida in October 2024, destroying most of the iconic Tampa Bay stadium in the process, ripping apart large sections of the fiberglass roof during winds of over 100 mph.
TAMPA BAY RAYS PLAN ON RETURNING TO TROPICANA FIELD AFTER HURRICANE DAMAGE REPAIRED
Thankfully, no one was injured in the stadium during the extreme weather event. Still, the stadium sustained serious damage, with the roof completely torn off and pieces of material spread across the field, stands and dugouts.
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A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field which has been torn open due to Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.
(BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP) -
A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field which has been torn open due to Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.
(BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP) -
The dome of Tropicana Field which has been torn open due to Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.
(BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP) -
A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field which has been torn open due to Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.
(BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP) -
A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field which has been torn open due to Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.
(BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP)
When scanning through the stadium, the extensive damage showcases the raw strength of Milton and the life-threatening wind gusts that helped tear the structure apart.
Since the devastating hurricane, the Rays were lucky enough to temporarily relocate to the Yankees’ spring training facility, George M. Steinbrenner Field, while renovations and rebuilding occurred at Tropicana Field.
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Part of the return to the stadium includes the fun-filled stingrays, located inside the ballpark, who miraculously rode out the storm before being relocated, according to MLB.com.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – APRIL 06: A cownose stingray swims in the outfield Tampa Bay Rays Touch Experience prior to the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, April 6, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
(Mike Carlson/MLB Photos / Getty Images)
They have finally returned home to the ballpark, once again.
Upon landfall, the Category 3 hurricane displaced thousands of Floridians, causing an estimated $34.3 billion in damage across the Sunshine State. The hurricane was responsible for 12 direct deaths in the U.S., according to the NHC’s Tropical Cyclone Report.
Thankfully, the city council of St. Petersburg approved the $23 million plan to repair the ballpark’s roof and other needs.
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The reopening of the stadium marks a huge milestone and sheds light on the Tampa Bay community’s resilience in rebuilding from what once was.
