ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays’ Tropicana field was ranked the second-worst stadium in the MLB, according to USA Today.
Eight baseball reporters and editors ranked the stadiums 1-30 adding up the aggregate scores to determine the list.
"The two most important things you can say about The Trop: at least the team has made an effort to make this sterile environment inviting; a solid plan may be in place to replace it." the publication wrote.
Tropicana Field has consistently been one of the worst performers in terms of fan attendance. It averaged 17,781 fans for the 2023 season while the Los Angeles Dodgers, who had the highest average, had 43,371, according to data from ESPN.
Luckily for fans, a plan is in place.
The city of St. Petersburg announced a deal with the team in September to create a $1.3 billion ballpark site. The Rays will pay for $700 million and $600 million will come from the city and county, as announced. St. Petersburg City Council still needs to sign off on the deal and finalize the figures, however.
Construction is slated to begin later this year and be completed by opening day 2028.
The area around the ballpark also has plans to be revitalized. Resident units, with affordable ones, and space for offices, retail and entertainment will be created. City leaders said they hope to break ground on the project by the end of this year.
The redevelopment of the Gas Plant District, the area where the field sits, is expected to invest more than $6 billion into the city over 20 years.
Some initiatives that will be created include affordable housing, employment and education programs.