Rays Set For New $2.3B Stadium Project After County, City Approve Financing Plan

County and city narrowly approved financing for a $2.3 billion project to replace Tropicana Field — Hillsborough County voted 5-2 to cover $796 million and Tampa voted 4-3 to chip in $80 million.
The plan builds a 31,000-seat stadium and mixed-use entertainment district next to Raymond James Stadium (on Hillsborough College land), with the ballpark slated to open in 2029.
The Rays will contribute at least $1.3 billion (plus overruns); ownership and team executives say the deal secures MLB’s long-term future in Tampa Bay.