The Tampa Bay Rays are not the only ones who call Tropicana Field their home.
Somewhere between 40 to 75 events that were scheduled at the venue this year will have to move as they await repairs to the hurricane-damaged stadium, said St. Petersburg council member Copley Gerdes during a recent Tourist Development Council Meeting.
That includes about 20 high school graduations; the Gasparilla Classics, an international gymnastics convention that brings thousands of competitors; and a two-day stop by the Savannah Bananas baseball team.
Many of those events would have brought visitors — and their tourism dollars — to Pinellas County.
Visit St. Pete-Clearwater spokesperson Jason Latimer told the Tampa Bay Times that the Savannah Bananas and Gasparilla Classic were estimated to each have an economic impact of $10 million.
Some events plan to stay within Pinellas County, while others aren't relocating far, which local officials said will help offset some of the loss.
About 12 high school graduations will be at BayCare Sound, a covered outdoor venue in downtown Clearwater, Mayor Bruce Rector said during the meeting.
But a number of schools in the northern part of the county are moving to the Yuengling Center on the University of South Florida Tampa campus, the Times reported.
The Savannah Bananas, famous for their brand of "banana ball," will be playing in Tampa's 65,000-seat Raymond James Stadium, the first time they'll be in an NFL stadium.
Rector said the team ended up selling more tickets because of the larger capacity.
"A lot of those folks who go to the Raymond James Stadium for large events like the one they're having, they'll end up staying over in Clearwater Beach for that anyway," said Rector. "Definitely going to lose some, but I think there's some shifting that it should lessen it some."
READ MORE: Repair of Tropicana Field could be pushed back after 2026 season opener
Tropicana Field needs at least $56 million in repairs after Hurricane Milton ripped off the roof last October, leading to water damage in the ballpark.
Rays officials want to complete restorations in time for the 2026 season, but St. Petersburg sent a letter to the team on Jan. 15 saying the use agreement with the city gives no deadline for repairs, which could push back the reopening.
The Rays will play the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the spring training home for the New York Yankees.
The Trop will eventually be torn down to make way for a new $1.3 billion stadium, part of a $6.5 billion redevelopment deal.
County commissioners, the St. Petersburg City Council and team ownership had gone back and forth about funding the deal last year.
