Plant City Insider

In a move that has left fans both puzzled and craving shortcake, the Tampa Bay Rays have announced their relocation to the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World: Plant City, Florida. Only a few games into the new season playing at their temporary home, Steinbrenner Field in Tampa; The Ray’s decision comes after years of speculation that they will move out of Downtown St. Petersburg and into an area that would attract more attendees to their games.

The team will break ground on a state-of-the-art facility named Sunshine Park, with a proposed opening date in 2028. The new ballpark will be designed with a strengthened roof (rated for over 150 MPH winds), which will serve to shield fans from Florida’s notorious summer storms while also having large glass doors that will open to the south to let in fresh air and sunlight. Sunshine Park is expected to seat approximately 35,000 fans and features modern amenities designed to enhance the fan experience. The total cost of the project, including offsite improvements to the roadways, will come in at 1 Billion dollars, the largest-ever investment into Plant City.

Team owner Stuart Sternberg said in the press release that their decision to relocate so much farther inland was for the same reason so many logistics companies are moving into Plant City “This location situated right off of I-4 offers unparalleled access to 3.5 million people within a 60-minute drive, we just couldn’t pass up this opportunity”.

The land that the new stadium will sit on is currently occupied by the Plant City Stadium, which was home to the Cincinnati Reds spring training center from 1988 through 1998 when they moved further south to Sarasota. Since then, the stadium has only been home to a few occupants, including the National Softball Federation; however, they had to move out to make way for the failed Gary Sheffield Sports Complex, which was planned for the exact location. In 2020, the Tampa Bay Bay Vipers XFL team used the stadium as their practice facility before the XFL ceased operations in 2023. Since the XFL team left, there have not been any large permanent tenants.

Plant City leaders expressed enthusiasm, stating, “This is a monumental opportunity for our community. Plant City is ready to welcome the Rays with open arms and provide an experience that will attract fans from all over the state.” Leaders further added, “This investment will act as an immense catalyst for our great city, which will supercharge the local economy and provide hundreds of new jobs.”

The team’s first home game at Sunshine Park is tentatively scheduled for the 2028 season opener against the Boston Red Sox. Ticket information and further details about the move will be released in the coming months.

While some fans may be disappointed by the move away from St. Petersburg, team officials are confident that the new location will provide a revitalized and more engaging atmosphere for all!

Happy April Fools Day!