Hurricane Milton Rips Roof Off Tropicana Field, Home of Tampa Bay Rays
Hurricane Milton tore through Florida on Wednesday night, causing significant damage to Tropicana Field, the home stadium of the Tampa Bay Rays. The stadium’s roof was severely damaged by high winds, with large sections ripped off and left flapping in the storm.
The storm hit the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane before being downgraded to Category 2. St. Petersburg recorded over 16 inches of rain, prompting warnings of flash floods.
Videos of the destruction quickly spread on social media, showing how the iconic dome, known as "The Trop," had been compromised.
Tropicana Field, built in 1990 and home to the Rays since 1998, was designed to withstand winds of up to 115 mph. However, Hurricane Milton’s 120 mph gusts proved too strong. The stadium’s roof is constructed from a material called ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), which is lighter than glass but still durable. Despite the roof damage, the metal framework supporting it remained intact. While the full extent of the internal damage is still unknown, it’s clear that the Rays’ current home is facing significant repairs.
Tropicana Field designated as staging area for first responders
The stadium had been designated as a staging area for first responders ahead of the storm, and fortunately, no injuries have been reported. Cots had been set up on the field for emergency personnel preparing for post-hurricane recovery efforts.
“We’ve been in contact with everyone inside, and they are safe,” said St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Captain Garth Swingle.
This disaster comes at a time when the Rays are already planning to replace Tropicana Field with a new stadium by 2028. Construction on the $1.3 billion facility, which is part of a broader redevelopment plan for the area, has yet to begin. For now, though, the team’s focus is on assessing and repairing the damage caused by Hurricane Milton.
Hurricane Milton disrupts sports across Florida
The storm’s impact has also disrupted sports across Florida. The NBA’s Orlando Magic cancelled their preseason game scheduled for Friday in Orlando, and the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars delayed their travel plans for an upcoming game in London.
With the hurricane leaving a trail of destruction, the Rays and the state are now gearing up for recovery efforts, knowing it will take time to restore normalcy after such a powerful storm.
