Steinbrenner Field - Tampa Bay Rays

Photos by Richard Smith Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57

Steinbrenner Field

One Steinbrenner Road

Tampa, FL 33614

Tampa Bay Rays website

Steinbrenner Field website

Year Opened: 1996

Capacity: 10,386

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The Pride of the Rays...sorta

The Tampa Bay area was impacted by two significant hurricanes in 2024: Hurricane Helene in September and Hurricane Milton in October. Hurricane Helene caused record-breaking storm surge and widespread flooding, particularly in western North Carolina and East Tennessee, as it made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region. Then, Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm at its peak, brought catastrophic damage to the Tampa Bay area with winds exceeding 100 mph and intense flooding. The dual impact of these storms left the region in a state of recovery, with extensive damage to infrastructure and property.

During Hurricane Milton, Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, suffered major damage to its unique domed roof. The translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass roof was largely shredded and ripped to shreds by the powerful winds, exposing the interior of the ballpark, including the field and catwalks, to the storm.

While no one was injured, the stadium, which had been considered as a potential staging area for emergency services, was severely compromised. The damage has raised questions about the team's ability to play at the stadium for many seasons, and repairs are projected to cost tens of millions of dollars, creating a complex situation given the team's previous plans for a new ballpark by 2028.

The Tampa Bay Rays needed to find a temporary home for the 2025 MLB season. They ultimately secured an agreement to play at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the Yankees' spring training facility. This was a logical choice as it was considered the best-prepared facility in the region to host regular-season games, with a seating capacity of approximately 11,000 and already undergoing renovations to its player facilities.

The move means the Rays, who have played in a domed stadium since their inaugural season in 1998, are now playing their home games outdoors, a new experience that has led to an adjusted schedule to minimize games during the hottest and rainiest summer months. The relocation is a significant logistical feat, and it has also created a new dynamic for local businesses across the bay, with some in St. Petersburg losing out on game-day revenue, while others in Tampa are seeing a boost.

Steinbrenner Field has been the home of the New York Yankees' spring training since 1996. It was originally known as Legends Field, but the name of the stadium was changed in 2008, as the late Yankees owner had become very ill, and the team wanted to honor him while he was still alive, so he would know about it.

The stadium has a capacity of 11,026 and is the largest stadium in the Grapefruit League, but very small for the major leagues. Steinbrenner Field is also the only spring training facility in the city of Tampa. The stadium underwent a $40 million renovation in 2017. The Tampa Tarpons of the Florida State League also play here, although they have been temporarily relegated to a smaller field due to the Rays' residency.

Food & Beverage 4

Recent renovations at Steinbrenner Field have significantly improved the food and beverage experience for fans. The expansion of the stadium's concourses has allowed for more concession stands and carts, leading to a wider variety of options and faster service. This increased number of service points has also helped reduce congestion on game days.

Fans now have a greater selection of food and dining options. While traditional stadium favorites like hot dogs and hamburgers are still available, the offerings have expanded to include more diverse and non-traditional items. The stadium also caters to fans with larger budgets, offering two distinct dine-in restaurants and bar areas, located above the right and left field foul lines, respectively.

Additionally, fans can enjoy service at rounded tables and drinking rails in the outfield sections, providing more casual dining experiences. These changes have collectively enhanced both the variety and quality of the food and drinks available at the ballpark.

Prices are a bit too high for food.

Atmosphere 3

A Tampa Bay Rays game at Steinbrenner Field has a unique atmosphere, as the team has relocated to the spring training home of a rival. The crowds are typically smaller than for a full-fledged MLB team, with attendance often feeling more akin to a minor league game than a major league one. A significant portion of the audience is often made up of visiting fans, particularly when popular teams like the Yankees or Red Sox are in town, which can make it feel like the Rays are playing a road game at their own home field.

The smaller capacity and open-air layout, while a change from the domed Tropicana Field, contribute to a different fan experience, but the temporary nature of the venue means it lacks the established identity and fan traditions of a permanent home ballpark.

The experience at Steinbrenner Field, while functional, doesn't quite feel like a true home for the Rays. The stadium's architecture and amenities were designed for spring training, not a full regular season, which can be seen in the limited seating and concourse layout. As a result, the "home field advantage" that a team normally enjoys is often diminished, and the atmosphere can be less energetic.

For many fans, the game-day experience feels more like a logistical workaround than a celebration of the team, reinforcing the temporary and transitional nature of the Rays' situation as they await the completion of their new permanent stadium.

Neighborhood 2

Navigating the Tampa area can be challenging due to heavy traffic, and it's important to plan your trip to Steinbrenner Field accordingly.

For those traveling to Tampa, there are several attractions worth visiting. Busch Gardens, a popular theme park known for its extensive gardens and thrilling rides, is located just seven miles from the ballpark. In addition, visitors can find a variety of hotels and restaurants throughout the city to suit their preferences and budgets.

Fans 2

The atmosphere at a Tampa Bay Rays game at Steinbrenner Field often feels less like a home game and more like a neutral-site contest, or even a de facto road game. A significant and often overwhelming presence of visiting team fans tends to dominate the stands, with opposing team jerseys, hats, and chants being far more common than Rays gear.

This is particularly evident when teams with large national fan bases like the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox come to town; the roar of the crowd after a visiting team's home run can be deafening, while the cheers for a Rays highlight are often muted and scattered. This dynamic can make it difficult for the home team to build momentum, as the energy in the ballpark consistently favors their opponents.

For Rays fans who do attend, the experience can be a frustrating one. They are often outnumbered and out-cheered, making it hard to create a sense of community or home-field advantage. The temporary nature of the venue, combined with the apathetic local attendance, has created an environment where the most passionate fans in the stadium are often rooting for the other team. This unusual dynamic underscores the challenges the Rays face in a new, temporary home, where they are not only rebuilding their stadium but also fighting to maintain a consistent and energized fan base against the backdrop of more nationally recognized franchises.

Access 3

Getting to Steinbrenner Field is straightforward. From I-275, take the Dale Mabry Highway exit and head north for three miles. The stadium will be on your right. Parking is available in the large grass lot on the left side of Dale Mabry Highway, adjacent to the football stadium. After parking, fans should use the pedestrian bridge to safely cross the highway and reach Steinbrenner Field.

For those with mobility issues, a drop-off area is located directly at the stadium, though drivers must still park in the designated grass lot across the street.

Steinbrenner Field is only three miles from Tampa International Airport.

Return on Investment 2

The price of admission is often disproportionately high, particularly for marquee matchups against teams like the Red Sox or Yankees, with some tickets soaring to prices that are more typical of a major league stadium than a temporary, smaller venue. This initial cost is compounded by the expenses for parking, which can be significant.

Once inside, the cost of food and beverages further erodes the value, with common items like hot dogs and drinks being priced at a premium. When all these expenses are added together, the overall cost of a game-day experience at Steinbrenner Field often feels far too high for a fan, especially when considering the venue's limited amenities and the lack of a true major league atmosphere.

Parking is $30 plus tax in the grass lot adjoining the football stadium.

Extras 2

There are several great selfie locations at Steinbrenner Field. Outside of the stadium, the Monument Park salute to the Yankee icons, the Steinbrenner statue, and the 911 Memorial form great backdrops. Inside the stadium is a statue featuring the iconic “NY” found on the Yankees’ ballcap. There are also two numbers of retired Yankees located along the outfield concourse. Derek Jeter (#2) and Thurman Munson (#15) are featured in this area.

The spring training homes of the Toronto Blue Jays, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Philadelphia Phillies are located close to Steinbrenner Field. This allows you to visit two Grapefruit League stadiums in a day if they line up in a day/night combination.

Final Thoughts

Due to catastrophic damage from Hurricane Milton, the Tampa Bay Rays have relocated to Steinbrenner Field for the 2025 MLB season. This temporary move has created a unique atmosphere, with the team playing in an open-air, spring training-focused venue that often feels more like a minor league park than a major league stadium.

Attendance is frequently dominated by visiting team fans, which diminishes any home-field advantage and can be disheartening for loyal Rays supporters. Furthermore, the overall game-day experience is considered a low return on investment due to high costs for tickets, parking, and concessions, making the temporary arrangement a logistical challenge for the team and a pricey outing for fans.