Rays' latest renderings offer an inside glimpse of their proposed Tampa stadium
By Rick Mayer
July 9, 2026 at 6:34 AM EDT
Predominant features in the new drawings are sky views through the see-thru cantilevered roof and an larger aquarium-like rays touch tank showcased in an expansive plaza entrance.
A translucent roof framing Tampa skies and expansive plaza entrance anchored by an aquarium view of cownose rays are among the highlights in a new set of renderings of the Tampa Bay Rays’ proposed $2.3 billion ballpark.
The team released the interior images with a video prepared by Populous, the stadium designer, on Wednesday night. It’s the first glimpse of what fans will see inside the building, which the team hopes to open for the 2029 season.
The predominant feature is the see-thru cantilevered roof, with a view of what the team envisions will be a privately financed $8 billion mixed-use district outside the ballpark. One eye-catching illustration shows a night game with lightning overhead.
Rays Stadium Rendering
“Dynamic lighting systems will enhance night games, while expansive views of the sky and surrounding mixed-use development create an open yet connected feeling,” the team’s news release says.
The renderings include views of various seating areas, including a bar overlooking a retractable batter’s eye wall in center field and two large video boards that “will rank among the largest and most technologically advanced in Major League Baseball,” according to the release.
ALSO READ: Rays celebrate Longoria's career with number retirement, induction in team's Hall of Fame
The ballpark will seat about 28,000 fans with “special event capacity expandability,” which is where the retractable batter’s eye could come into play. Three primary levels (main, mezzanine, upper) are planned, with general, premium and group areas.
The plaza, which enters the seating bowl from center field, will be nearly an acre, “with special touches that bring the outside inside,” such as palm trees.
Fans in the plaza of the Tampa Bay Rays' proposed stadium will see an aquarium-like rays touch tank that is deeper and taller than the current one in Tropicana Field. (1920x1080, AR: 1.7777777777777777)
And the fever of rays that have called Tropicana Field home since 2006 will be moving on up, if plans hold. Fans in the plaza and the field area will see an aquarium-like touch tank that is deeper and taller than the Trop’s 10,000-gallon pool in right-center field. The rehabilitated and rescued fish are cared for by the Florida Aquarium.
The outfield dimensions and other game- and player-related items are still under review.
If financing is secured, the stadium would go on about 130 acres now occupied by Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus in Tampa’s Drew Park neighborhood, across the street from Raymond James Stadium. The surrounding district would include residential, retail, business, recreation and education space anchored by a “reimagined” college campus.
ALSO READ: DeSantis restates support for Rays stadium with $50 million budgeted for Hillsborough College
Untitled
Design elements and related considerations continue to evolve as the Rays work with elected officials and staff from the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County toward a funding agreement. Negotiations are continuing on definitive documents needed to secure $976 million in public financing. The Rays have committed more than $1.25 billion for the ballpark.
One unresolved issue is how future property tax growth within the city’s Drew Park Community Redevelopment Area would be pledged through tax-increment financing to help pay for the ballpark. The Tampa Bay Times reported the parties are discussing transferring the CRA to the county, which could reduce Tampa's contribution from $180 million to $80 million.
Tampa's CRA board, which is comprised of the city council, is slated to vote on a nonbinding stadium agreement on Aug. 20.
The Hillsborough County Commission and Tampa City Council must approve the final agreements, although the team has already initiated the process for hiring a construction manager by Aug. 14 that can “mobilize immediately.”
In the release, team CEO Ken Babby said design elements were added in "response to what Rays fans have told us they want — a comfortable and inviting ballpark that honors the intimate connection between fans and the game, while at the same time incorporating modern amenities and design innovations that they expect and deserve."
The team released the interior images with a video prepared by Populous, the stadium designer, on Wednesday night. It’s the first glimpse of what fans will see inside the building, which the team hopes to open for the 2029 season.
The predominant feature is the see-thru cantilevered roof, with a view of what the team envisions will be a privately financed $8 billion mixed-use district outside the ballpark. One eye-catching illustration shows a night game with lightning overhead.
Rays Stadium Rendering
“Dynamic lighting systems will enhance night games, while expansive views of the sky and surrounding mixed-use development create an open yet connected feeling,” the team’s news release says.
The renderings include views of various seating areas, including a bar overlooking a retractable batter’s eye wall in center field and two large video boards that “will rank among the largest and most technologically advanced in Major League Baseball,” according to the release.
ALSO READ: Rays celebrate Longoria's career with number retirement, induction in team's Hall of Fame
The ballpark will seat about 28,000 fans with “special event capacity expandability,” which is where the retractable batter’s eye could come into play. Three primary levels (main, mezzanine, upper) are planned, with general, premium and group areas.
The plaza, which enters the seating bowl from center field, will be nearly an acre, “with special touches that bring the outside inside,” such as palm trees.
Fans in the plaza of the Tampa Bay Rays' proposed stadium will see an aquarium-like rays touch tank that is deeper and taller than the current one in Tropicana Field. (1920x1080, AR: 1.7777777777777777)
And the fever of rays that have called Tropicana Field home since 2006 will be moving on up, if plans hold. Fans in the plaza and the field area will see an aquarium-like touch tank that is deeper and taller than the Trop’s 10,000-gallon pool in right-center field. The rehabilitated and rescued fish are cared for by the Florida Aquarium.
The outfield dimensions and other game- and player-related items are still under review.
If financing is secured, the stadium would go on about 130 acres now occupied by Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus in Tampa’s Drew Park neighborhood, across the street from Raymond James Stadium. The surrounding district would include residential, retail, business, recreation and education space anchored by a “reimagined” college campus.
ALSO READ: DeSantis restates support for Rays stadium with $50 million budgeted for Hillsborough College
Untitled
Design elements and related considerations continue to evolve as the Rays work with elected officials and staff from the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County toward a funding agreement. Negotiations are continuing on definitive documents needed to secure $976 million in public financing. The Rays have committed more than $1.25 billion for the ballpark.
One unresolved issue is how future property tax growth within the city’s Drew Park Community Redevelopment Area would be pledged through tax-increment financing to help pay for the ballpark. The Tampa Bay Times reported the parties are discussing transferring the CRA to the county, which could reduce Tampa's contribution from $180 million to $80 million.
Tampa's CRA board, which is comprised of the city council, is slated to vote on a nonbinding stadium agreement on Aug. 20.
The Hillsborough County Commission and Tampa City Council must approve the final agreements, although the team has already initiated the process for hiring a construction manager by Aug. 14 that can “mobilize immediately.”
In the release, team CEO Ken Babby said design elements were added in "response to what Rays fans have told us they want — a comfortable and inviting ballpark that honors the intimate connection between fans and the game, while at the same time incorporating modern amenities and design innovations that they expect and deserve."