ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Instead of the smell of hot dogs and popcorn, that of fresh paint and construction materials wafted throughout the concourse in a bright and welcoming Tropicana Field a few hours before Monday afternoon’s first pitch against the Cubs.
Indeed, countless hours of manpower went into making the dome new again. From the flooring throughout the concourses, to the woodwork in the suites, to the remodeled home clubhouse, there was nothing not to like about the 2026 reopening.
“It’s like a new sense of life in this place,” said shortstop Taylor Walls, who was activated (right oblique strain) prior to the home opener. “Everything is updated and refreshed. It just feels a lot brighter. Everyone that was a part of getting this thing rolling and to have this season played here is a huge thing. What a job that they did.”
The Rays played the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa after the Trop sustained major damage from Hurricane Milton in October 2024.
Because the team was displaced for a season, Junior Caminero, who made his MLB debut at Tropicana Field on September 23, 2023, and played 19 games under the dome prior to Monday, had not experienced a home opener in St. Pete.
READ: Opening Day Is Here: How To Catch The Rays Home Opener At The Trop
“I felt really comfortable the second I walked in,” said the third baseman, through Rays’ interpreter Kevin Vera. “Obviously, we played at Steinbrenner last year, and we were thankful for the opportunity the Yankees gave us. But this is our home. Tropicana has always been our home, so it’s super exciting for every single one of us to be here. We are grateful to be back.”
Work that was mostly finishing touches was done throughout the dome as morning turned into afternoon. Indeed, it has been all-hands-on-deck inside a building that had its final roof panel installed in November.
“You thank the community, the city, the (city) council, the county and everybody that has played a role,” said manager Kevin Cash, who praised the “impressive job” done in the clubhouse. “Certainly, everybody in the Rays organization that has worked so hard. They have really busted it for months now. I know it’s been a crash course the past month, two months getting this up to speed. To have our fans back in the building is going to help as much as anything.”
A six-game home stand continues Tuesday evening (6:40) with the home-opening, three-game series against the Cubs concluding Wednesday night. Following a day off Thursday, the Yankees visit the Trop for a three-game weekend series.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
