The Tampa Bay Rays stadium, Tropicana Field located in St. Petersburg Florida, was damaged Wednesday night by Hurricane Milton (category 3), which swept through the region. Aerial photos and drone videos captured the fabric of the stadium's roof being ripped off with debris being seen all over the field.
Here’s some drone video we shot giving you a look at the extensive damage to the roof and the inside of Tropicana Field, the home of @RaysBaseball. pic.twitter.com/WLL1uD8PHh
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) October 10, 2024
This was alarming, as it had been reported earlier that National Guard members were supposed to be hosted there, in preparation for the incoming storm. Being that, the field was seen lined with cots for the first responders to sleep on.
Tropicana Field was set up for linemen & first responders & tonight roof was ripped off by Hurricane Milton pic.twitter.com/BZCvOKQBVA
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 10, 2024
The good news is that even though there was heavy damage, there were no injuries reported.
In view of the storm, the wind gusts reached just over 100 mph Wednesday night.
OMG. We all had a collected gasp when we saw this from our reporter. The fabric on the roof of Tropicana Field is shredded. #StPete #Milton pic.twitter.com/36UKLO9cK6
— Jason Adams (@JasonAdamsWFTS) October 10, 2024
Per CBS, Tropicana Field has the world's largest cable-supported domed roof and is "built to withstand winds of up to 115 miles per hour."
Now that the sun is up, here’s a 360-degree view of the damage Hurricane Milton caused to Tropicana Field’s roof and the inside of the ballpark. Absolutely heartbreaking 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZCtPHv6rE9
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) October 10, 2024
One of my security agents inside @tropicanafield pic.twitter.com/eFyHOvPZQm
— Ryan Stryker (@Stryker175) October 10, 2024
Notably, this stadium opened up in 1990, with a cost of $138 million. Now, it has been reported that the organization had plans to replace Tropicana before the upcoming 2028 season, with a $1.3 billion ballpark.
However, since their 30-year lease at Tropicana Field doesn't end until after the 2027 season, the Rays will evidently have to put into place a reconstruction plan ahead of the 2025 MLB season, or otherwise find a new location to play at.
Tropicana field opening day 2025 pic.twitter.com/pP49XyUVF9
— Brad Szalach (@brad_szalach) October 10, 2024
Related: Rays Record Lowest Playoff Attendance In Over 100 Years
