What Happened to Tampa Bay Rays?
The Tampa Bay Rays have navigated significant changes in recent years, including a change in ownership, a temporary relocation due to hurricane damage, and ongoing efforts to secure a new permanent stadium. After two losing seasons in 2024 and 2025, the team has started the 2026 season strong under new leadership, while simultaneously advancing plans for a new $2.3 billion ballpark in Tampa.
Quick Answer
As of May 28, 2026, the Tampa Bay Rays are experiencing a resurgent 2026 season, leading the American League East with a 34-18 record. The team is now under new ownership led by Patrick Zalupski, who finalized the purchase in September 2025. Following extensive repairs after Hurricane Milton in late 2024, the Rays returned to Tropicana Field for the 2026 season. Concurrently, plans for a new $2.3 billion stadium in Tampa are moving forward, with Hillsborough County and Tampa City Council recently approving a non-binding memorandum of understanding for public funding.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Hurricane Milton Damages Tropicana Field
Hurricane Milton causes severe damage to Tropicana Field, including tearing off the roof, rendering it unusable for the foreseeable future.
Rays Announce 2025 Season at Steinbrenner Field
Due to the damage at Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Rays announce they will play all their 2025 home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
Rays Finish 2024 Season with Losing Record
The Rays conclude the 2024 MLB season with a record of 80-82, finishing 4th in the AL East and missing the postseason.
MLB Approves New Ownership Group
Major League Baseball owners unanimously approve the sale of the Tampa Bay Rays to a group led by Patrick Zalupski.
Rays Sale to Zalupski Group Finalized
The $1.7 billion purchase of the Tampa Bay Rays from Stuart Sternberg by Patrick Zalupski's ownership group is officially finalized.
Rays Finish 2025 Season with Losing Record and Miss Playoffs
The Rays end the 2025 season with a 77-85 record, finishing 4th in the AL East and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
New Ownership Commits to New Ballpark by 2029
The new ownership group, led by Patrick Zalupski, holds its first press conference, committing to building a new ballpark in the Tampa Bay region by Opening Day 2029.
Kevin Cash Leads New-Look Roster
Manager Kevin Cash, now the longest-tenured in MLB, prepares for the 2026 season with a significantly overhauled roster after numerous offseason trades.
Rays Return to Repaired Tropicana Field for Home Opener
After extensive repairs following Hurricane Milton, the Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field for their 2026 home opener against the Chicago Cubs.
Hillsborough County Approves New Stadium MOU
The Hillsborough County Commission votes 5-2 to approve a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding for a proposed $2.3 billion stadium at Hillsborough Community College's Dale Mabry campus.
Tampa City Council Approves New Stadium MOU
The Tampa City Council narrowly votes 4-3 to approve the non-binding MOU for the new stadium, moving negotiations forward.
Rays Sign Veteran Reliever Craig Kimbrel
The Tampa Bay Rays sign veteran right-handed reliever Craig Kimbrel to bolster their bullpen.
Rays Lead AL East with Strong Start
As of late May 2026, the Tampa Bay Rays hold a 34-18 record, leading the American League East and are considered strong contenders.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Tampa Bay Rays have experienced a period of significant transition and renewed optimism between 2024 and mid-2026. The 2024 season saw the Rays finish with a losing record of 80-82, placing fourth in the AL East and missing the postseason for the first time since 2018. This was followed by a more challenging 2025 season, where the team finished 77-85, again fourth in the AL East and out of playoff contention.
A major turning point occurred in October 2024 when Hurricane Milton severely damaged Tropicana Field, rendering it unusable for the entire 2025 season. This forced the Rays to play their 2025 home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the spring training home of the New York Yankees. The City of St. Petersburg undertook approximately $55-60 million in repairs to Tropicana Field, including replacing the roof and installing new turf, to prepare for the team's return in 2026.
Amidst these on-field and facility challenges, a significant ownership change took place. In September 2025, Major League Baseball owners unanimously approved the sale of the Tampa Bay Rays to a new group led by Florida-based business executive Patrick Zalupski. The reported $1.7 billion acquisition from longtime owner Stuart Sternberg was finalized on September 30, 2025. Zalupski, along with co-chair Bill Cosgrove and CEO Ken Babby, immediately expressed a commitment to a winning culture and, crucially, to building a new ballpark in the Tampa Bay region.
The 2026 season has marked a significant resurgence for the franchise. The Rays returned to a fully repaired and upgraded Tropicana Field for their home opener on April 6, 2026. Under manager Kevin Cash, who is now the longest-tenured manager in MLB, the team underwent a significant roster overhaul in the offseason, making 17 trades involving 37 players. As of May 28, 2026, the Rays hold an impressive 34-18 record, leading the AL East and are considered legitimate World Series contenders.
Simultaneously, the pursuit of a new stadium has gained considerable momentum. In May 2026, both the Hillsborough County Commission and the Tampa City Council approved a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a proposed $2.3 billion stadium and mixed-use development at Hillsborough Community College's Dale Mabry campus in Tampa. The framework outlines a public contribution of approximately $976 million, with the Rays privately financing $1.27 billion and covering cost overruns. While definitive agreements are still pending, this represents the most significant progress in the team's long-standing quest for a new 'Forever Home,' targeted for a 2029 opening.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Tampa Bay Rays made different choices?