TAMPA — Tampa Bay Rays chief executive officer Ken Babby unveiled the first interior renderings of the team’s proposed ballpark during the club’s broadcast of a 3-0 win against the Yankees at Tropicana Field, showing a 30,000-seat venue with a fixed roof, an upgraded aquarium and what the team says would be the largest scoreboards in Major League Baseball.
“Ballpark design is always in motion, but we felt it was time to pause and share with our fans where we are today and anticipate going in the future,” Babby said in a statement. “What we are unveiling today is a 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 renderings depict a general seating bowl designed to bring fans closer to the field than any comparable venue. Babby said fans behind home plate would be “closer to the catcher than the catcher is to the pitcher.” The approximately 30,000 fixed seats can expand for concerts, conventions and other large gatherings. A bar overlooking center field sits above a retractable batter’s eye, which Babby called “the first of its kind.” The two video scoreboards, located above the stands in left and right field, will “rank among the largest and most technologically advanced in Major League Baseball,” according to the club.
A fixed roof will offer a clear view of the sky and the surrounding development while dynamic lighting systems enhance night games. Babby said the team is most excited about “bringing that outdoor vision into the building every day,” combining the feel of outdoor baseball with the comfort of a dome. The primary plaza entrance in center field will feature a larger, deeper aquarium — the successor to the Trop’s popular ray tank — along with club spaces near both bullpens.
“We’re listening and working hard to deliver on what we feel will be the best ballpark experience in the game, bar none,” Babby said.
Populous, a globally renowned firm that has led the design for 29 new and renovated parks in Major League Baseball, was selected last year as the design lead. The proposed ballpark would sit on the current site of Hillsborough College’s campus across Dale Mabry Highway from Raymond James Stadium as part of a mixed-use development. The club previously released exterior renderings and plans for a reimagined Hillsborough College campus in February. Some aspects of the interior design remain under review, including outfield dimensions and other game-related elements.
The Rays have not yet reached a funding agreement with the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County to build the ballpark. “The process continues to move forward,” Babby said. With the team’s use agreement at Tropicana Field set to expire after the 2028 season, the Rays have set Opening Day in 2029 as their target to open the new venue they have been pursuing for two decades.