The Tampa Bay Rays are sliding into uncharted territory this coming season, not only with a shift in their home opener but also with their entire home field situation. In a bit of a scheduling curveball, Major League Baseball has bumped the Tampa Bay Rays' 2025 home opener at George M. Steinbrenner Field from March 27 to March 28, giving the team an additional day to prepare their temporary digs, as reported by WFLA. With Hurricane Milton having pummeled Tropicana Field previously, the Rays are set to play their regular season on enemy turf – that being the spring training ground for the New York Yankees.
Seems like there's going to be a mixed bag of branding at Steinbrenner Field. While the late George Steinbrenner's statue will greet Tampa Bay fans, the Rays are committed to adding their own splash of team spirit where they can, within the limits imposed by their temporary residency. According to details shared by Sportico, the venue will undergo modifications like dugout and clubhouse improvements to meet league standards and discussions are on the table about dialing down the overt Yankees branding during the Rays' stay.
On the practical side, Rays fans eager to catch the action at the 11,026-seat venue should move quickly, as the team's encouraging early deposits toward Full Season Memberships. As noted by MLB.com, with capacity limitations at Steinbrenner Field, securing a spot in advance for what will be an unusual season, to say least, is highly recommended.
The Rays and the Yankees have carved out a business deal to navigate the season, with the pinstripe crew taking home $15 million for letting the Rays bunk with them. Meanwhile, fans are holding their breath about potential rainouts, an issue previously shielded by Tropicana Field's dome but now exposed at the open-air Steinbrenner Field. A valid concern, given that the single-A affiliate Tampa Tarpons, who will continue playing adjacent to the Rays' new field, faced 15 weather-related game disruptions last year.
To kick off the spring training, the Rays' pitchers and catchers will first touch base at Charlotte Sports Park on February 10, according to WFLA. They'll transition to Steinbrenner Field once the Yankees migrate northward for their opening day. It's a dance of dates and details for both teams, as 2025 shapes up to be an interesting year in baseball, with an unconventional cohabitation on the horizon.
