Nearly two weeks ago, Hurricane Milton struck Florida as a Category 3 storm, causing extensive damage to multiple structures, including Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. The powerful winds, peaking at over 120 miles per hour, resulted in significant destruction, particularly to the stadium’s roof, which suffered extensive impairment.
Naturally, the damage assessment process began immediately following the hurricane’s landfall. Initial estimates suggest that repairing the stadium could exceed $100 million, with a substantial portion of the costs attributed to the Teflon-coated fiberglass roof and the supporting struts. Due to safety concerns, a complete evaluation of Tropicana Field’s structural integrity is ongoing, and it remains unclear how long the assessment will take.
Related: Urgent Health Advisory Issued for Disney World Area After Hurricane Milton: West Nile Virus Risk
As the city of St. Petersburg manages the repair process and contemplates potential insurance coverage, the timeline for restoring Tropicana Field continues to stretch, creating uncertainty regarding the future of the stadium.
Given that Tropicana Field will likely not be operational for the upcoming 2025 season, the Tampa Bay Rays face a challenging situation regarding temporary venue alternatives.
According to a report from The Tampa Bay Times, Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, located about 86 miles from Tropicana Field, is among the potential relocation sites under consideration.
The Rays have familiarity with stadiums about 90 miles away in Port Charlotte, their usual spring home, and the Disney complex, where they have played two regular-season series and held part of 2023 spring training.
Weather would still be an issue, and housing for players and staff would be needed.
Disney likely would require the least upgrades, but could present scheduling challenges given the high number of youth events already booked throughout the venue.
Related: Disney World Cast Members Report Pressure to Work During Deadly Hurricane
This venue, previously utilized for the Rays’ spring training, offers several advantages for hosting a Major League Baseball team. The complex is designed for various sporting events, presenting a well-maintained infrastructure that would require fewer upgrades than other potential options. However, as stated in the article, it could prove difficult to schedule games around previously booked events.
The availability of facilities at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is significant. The complex features a multi-sport layout encompassing baseball diamonds, practice facilities, and ample seating accommodations. The Rays have prior experience playing at Disney World, having hosted spring training and several regular-season games in the past.
Related: More Hurricane Damage Unveiled: Massive Hole Appears in Orlando Theme Park
While the ESPN Wide World of Sports appears to be a viable option, the organization must navigate high-stakes decisions balancing immediate operational needs with the long-term vision of the franchise.
Looking ahead, the future of the Tampa Bay Rays is deeply intertwined with the status of Tropicana Field. Plans for a new stadium in St. Petersburg, scheduled for completion by 2028, present a backdrop for discussions about the current state of the team. The severe damage from Hurricane Milton may complicate these long-term goals and raise questions about financial resources for renovations to the existing structure.
Would you like to see the Tampa Bay Rays play their 2025 season in Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments!