Tampa Bay Rays’ Postseason Games at Minor League Stadium
The Tampa Bay Rays will be hosting potential postseason games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, creating the possibility of a World Series held in a minor league venue with a capacity of 10,046.
Reasons for the Stadium Change
This decision follows discussions about relocating postseason matches to an alternative major league venue, with Miami‘s LoanDepot Park being one option. Due to hurricane-related damage that compromised Tropicana Field, the Rays are currently playing their regular-season games at Steinbrenner Field, home to the Low-A Tampa Tarpons.
Current Standing in the AL East
The Rays are currently in fourth place in the American League East with a record of 50-47. They are only 1½ games behind the Seattle Mariners for the third wild-card slot in the AL.
Future of the Rays and Owner Changes
Commissioner Rob Manfred indicated that the Rays are expected to return to Tropicana Field, which is undergoing renovations, by the 2026 season. Meanwhile, the team might change ownership, as progress is being made on a potential sale for $1.7 billion to a group led by real estate developer Patrick Zalupski.
Other MLB Developments
On the topic of stadium transitions, Commissioner Manfred has expressed a desire for the new owners to resolve the stadium situations of the Rays and the Athletics, who are set to play in a minor league facility in West Sacramento until their move to Las Vegas, before expanding to 32 teams.
Television Contracts and Gambling Integrity
Manfred mentioned that negotiations for new national broadcasting contracts for 2026-28 have progressed positively. Additionally, despite a player investigation related to gambling, he confirmed that MLB’s integrity measures have improved due to legalized betting, which is believed to enhance overall transparency and protect the sport.
