Rays lose World Series as clock ticks on 2029 move to Tampa
St. Petersburg residents reflect on the loss of the Gas Plant District and the departure of the franchise from the city after the 2028 season.
By Arjun Shah ·
More than 500 families were relocated from the historic Gas Plant District to make way for Tropicana Field, a sacrifice that community leaders argue defines the stadium's legacy as much as the baseball played there. The loss of that neighborhood and the nearby Laurel Park housing projects set a precedent for how the city has related to its major league franchise over the past three decades.
The land that became the stadium was once a predominantly Black community of homes, businesses, and churches. According to local accounts, the area was cleared in the name of progress, and promises of economic opportunity for displaced residents went unfulfilled for decades. This history remains central to the current conversation as the team prepares to leave.
The venue has hosted various professional teams since it opened. From 1993 to 1996, the Tampa Bay Lightning played hockey there, drawing a record 28,183 fans to a 1996 playoff game against Philadelphia. In 1998, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays began play at the stadium, with over 45,000 people attending the first regular-season game on March 31, 1998.
The stadium suffered structural damage during Hurricane Milton on October 9, 2024, which tore off the roof. The Rays played their 2025 season across the bridge in Tampa while repairs were completed. Workers rebuilt the roof, and the team returned to the venue for the start of the 2026 season on April 6.
The current season ended on October 28, 2026, when the Rays lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, 4-1, in Game 5 of the World Series. This loss marks the conclusion of the team's most recent championship run. The franchise has an approved plan to move to a new stadium in Tampa in 2029.
The team is expected to remain in St. Petersburg through the 2028 season. Residents note that Tampa already hosted the Lightning for three seasons in the 1990s and retained the 813 telephone area code during the 1998 split, leaving St. Petersburg with 727. With the move to Tampa confirmed, the final regular-season games in St. Petersburg will occur in 2028.
Local voices emphasize that while the franchise is moving, the history of the stadium remains tied to the city. The relocation process is set to begin after the 2028 season, concluding the team's tenure at the facility that was built on the site of the former Gas Plant District.
Source: St. Pete Catalyst
