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Rays Take First Step Toward Tampa Stadium
Rays Take First Step Toward Tampa Stadium
Jan 20, 2026
Hillsborough College trustees approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing negotiations to begin for a potential ballpark at the Dale Mabry campus.
Hillsborough College trustees approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing negotiations to begin for a potential ballpark at the Dale Mabry campus.
Negotiations set to begin for a potential ballpark on the college's Dale Mabry campus. The agreement marks the clearest step yet toward bringing the Rays to Tampa and sets the stage for what could become the franchise's forever home.
The proposed site spans approximately 113 acres near Tampa International Airport, across Dale Mabry Highway from Raymond James Stadium and just south of George M. Steinbrenner Field, where the Rays played their 2025 season after Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field. The location would create a concentrated sports corridor unlike any other in the region.
A Vision for Champions Quarter
Under the framework, the Rays would control the stadium and surrounding mixed-use development, which could include hotels, housing, retail, and parking. The team has outlined three key components for the site: "Champions Quarter" in the southeast corner for the ballpark and surrounding amenities; "Innovation Edge" featuring Hillsborough College's new facilities; and "The Canopy," described as a parkside neighborhood shaped by shade and greenery.
Running through it all would be "The Row," a signature street connecting the development. CEO Ken Babby noted the team is working alongside architecture firm Gensler and ballpark design firm Populous, with more details expected in the coming weeks.
If public funding is used for construction, ownership of the stadium would transfer to Hillsborough County. The memorandum requires that any construction minimize interference with college operations, including the construction of temporary facilities before demolition begins.
College Sees Transformational Opportunity
Hillsborough College would retain a southwest corner of the site for a new campus and handle its construction and maintenance. Dr. Ken Atwater, president of Hillsborough College, called the partnership a transformational opportunity, noting the current campus requires more than $50 million in renovations. A new campus would give students access to modern facilities while creating pathways for education, workforce development, and career-connected learning.
Not everyone is convinced the deal will benefit the community equally. During the meeting, faculty member Joshua Corson raised concerns about affordability, noting that if the average salary needed to live in the Rays community is $80,000 and the average salary of the college's community is $62,000, many students would already be priced out.
Long Road Ahead
Many key details remain unresolved, including financing, stadium size, final lease terms, and a construction timeline. The agreement gives both sides 180 days of exclusive negotiations to pursue binding contracts. Before construction could begin, the Rays would need to secure zoning and land-use approvals, finalize financing, obtain Major League Baseball approval, and resolve state deed restrictions that currently limit how parts of the land can be used.
The new ownership group, led by managing partner Patrick Zalupski, co-chair Bill Cosgrove, and CEO Ken Babby, officially took control of the Rays on September 30, 2025. Since then, finding a forever home has been their stated top priority, with a goal of opening a new stadium in time for the 2029 season.
Governor Ron DeSantis voiced his support at a press conference in Pinellas Park, saying he believes the Rays can succeed in Tampa Bay with the right ownership. While the state government does not have a direct role in financing the development, DeSantis said the state can help with infrastructure improvements to address traffic concerns.
The Rays withdrew last March from a $1.3 billion project to construct a new ballpark adjacent to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, citing hurricane damage and delays that drove up costs. Under the previous ownership of Stuart Sternberg, the franchise had announced and then failed to move forward with proposed ballparks at several sites, including Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg (2007), Ybor City in Tampa (2018), and downtown St. Petersburg (2023).
Some Pinellas County residents expressed concern about losing the team. Author Peter Golenbock, speaking at the meeting, said the move would hurt St. Petersburg's identity as a major league city and doubts many Pinellas residents would regularly travel to Tampa for games.
The public is now waiting to see just how much tax dollars and incentives this deal will ultimately require.
Negotiations set to begin for a potential ballpark on the college's Dale Mabry campus. The agreement marks the clearest step yet toward bringing the Rays to Tampa and sets the stage for what could become the franchise's forever home.
The proposed site spans approximately 113 acres near Tampa International Airport, across Dale Mabry Highway from Raymond James Stadium and just south of George M. Steinbrenner Field, where the Rays played their 2025 season after Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field. The location would create a concentrated sports corridor unlike any other in the region.
A Vision for Champions Quarter
Under the framework, the Rays would control the stadium and surrounding mixed-use development, which could include hotels, housing, retail, and parking. The team has outlined three key components for the site: "Champions Quarter" in the southeast corner for the ballpark and surrounding amenities; "Innovation Edge" featuring Hillsborough College's new facilities; and "The Canopy," described as a parkside neighborhood shaped by shade and greenery.
Running through it all would be "The Row," a signature street connecting the development. CEO Ken Babby noted the team is working alongside architecture firm Gensler and ballpark design firm Populous, with more details expected in the coming weeks.
If public funding is used for construction, ownership of the stadium would transfer to Hillsborough County. The memorandum requires that any construction minimize interference with college operations, including the construction of temporary facilities before demolition begins.
College Sees Transformational Opportunity
Hillsborough College would retain a southwest corner of the site for a new campus and handle its construction and maintenance. Dr. Ken Atwater, president of Hillsborough College, called the partnership a transformational opportunity, noting the current campus requires more than $50 million in renovations. A new campus would give students access to modern facilities while creating pathways for education, workforce development, and career-connected learning.
Not everyone is convinced the deal will benefit the community equally. During the meeting, faculty member Joshua Corson raised concerns about affordability, noting that if the average salary needed to live in the Rays community is $80,000 and the average salary of the college's community is $62,000, many students would already be priced out.
Long Road Ahead
Many key details remain unresolved, including financing, stadium size, final lease terms, and a construction timeline. The agreement gives both sides 180 days of exclusive negotiations to pursue binding contracts. Before construction could begin, the Rays would need to secure zoning and land-use approvals, finalize financing, obtain Major League Baseball approval, and resolve state deed restrictions that currently limit how parts of the land can be used.
The new ownership group, led by managing partner Patrick Zalupski, co-chair Bill Cosgrove, and CEO Ken Babby, officially took control of the Rays on September 30, 2025. Since then, finding a forever home has been their stated top priority, with a goal of opening a new stadium in time for the 2029 season.
Governor Ron DeSantis voiced his support at a press conference in Pinellas Park, saying he believes the Rays can succeed in Tampa Bay with the right ownership. While the state government does not have a direct role in financing the development, DeSantis said the state can help with infrastructure improvements to address traffic concerns.
The Rays withdrew last March from a $1.3 billion project to construct a new ballpark adjacent to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, citing hurricane damage and delays that drove up costs. Under the previous ownership of Stuart Sternberg, the franchise had announced and then failed to move forward with proposed ballparks at several sites, including Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg (2007), Ybor City in Tampa (2018), and downtown St. Petersburg (2023).
Some Pinellas County residents expressed concern about losing the team. Author Peter Golenbock, speaking at the meeting, said the move would hurt St. Petersburg's identity as a major league city and doubts many Pinellas residents would regularly travel to Tampa for games.
The public is now waiting to see just how much tax dollars and incentives this deal will ultimately require.
