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Hurricane Milton Forces Major League Team to Consider Move to Walt Disney World

Mickey Mouse and friends, including Goofy, Donald Duck, and Chip and Dale, in sports attire, pose in front of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex globe. Sunny day with clear skies and trees in the background.
Credit: Disney

Nearly two weeks ago, Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, devastated parts of Florida, particularly affecting the Tampa Bay area. The hurricane made landfall, causing extensive damage estimated at around $2 billion. The winds, reaching over 120 miles per hour, were powerful enough to rip off sections of the roof of Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Initial assessments of Tropicana Field indicated significant destruction, especially to the stadium’s structure. With the roof compromised, access to the facility has been limited due to safety concerns. Local authorities and engineering experts are working to evaluate the full extent of the damage. Preliminary estimates suggest that repair costs could reach around $100 million, primarily affecting the Teflon-coated fiberglass roof and supporting structures.

Damage caused by Hurricane Milton

Credit: Florida Fish & Wildlife, Flickr

Related: New Urgent Advisory Issued for Disney World Area in Wake of Hurricane Milton

As the Rays face the reality of not being able to play in Tropicana Field for at least the upcoming season, they are exploring several temporary venues for the 2025 season.

According to a new report from the Tampa Bay Times, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort, located approximately 86 miles from Tropicana Field, is among the candidates being considered. This facility is notable for its history with the Rays, including past Spring Training and regular-season games.

The Rays have familiarity with stadiums about 90 miles away in Port Charlotte, their usual spring home, and the Disney complex, where they have played two regular-season series and held part of 2023 spring training.

Weather would still be an issue, and housing for players and staff would be needed.

Disney likely would require the least upgrades, but could present scheduling challenges given the high number of youth events already booked throughout the venue.

Aerial view of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, shows a partially collapsed roof and debris strewn across the baseball field. The surrounding area features buildings and greenery under cloudy skies.

Credit: Fox5 NY, Instagram

Related: As Deadly Hurricane Hit Disney World, Cast Members Felt Forced to Stay in Parks

Unfortunately, relocating to Disney World is not without its challenges. The venue is already heavily booked with youth sporting events, which could create scheduling conflicts. The Rays would need to negotiate these logistics carefully while ensuring they meet Major League Baseball’s requirements for hosting regular-season games.

Other options include Steinbrenner Field in Tampa and Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, both of which would also require significant upgrades to accommodate the team.

Goofy, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Pluto are dressed in sports gear, energetically posing in front of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex globe at Disney World. The scene is lively and colorful with palm trees swaying nearby, reminiscent of a Tampa Bay Rays celebration.

Credit: Disney

Looking beyond the immediate challenges posed by Hurricane Milton, the Rays have their sights set on a new stadium slated to open in 2028 in St. Petersburg. The current damage to Tropicana Field complicates the timeline and may delay plans for both repairs and the new construction project. Local authorities indicate that the city of St. Petersburg will handle the repairs, aided by insurance coverage for the facility.

As repairs are assessed, Tropicana Field’s functional integrity must be redetermined. Without a roof, the stadium’s multi-purpose design would be impractical for a baseball environment, particularly with Florida’s unpredictable weather patterns. This situation raises questions about the future viability of Tropicana Field as a long-term home for the Rays.

Would you love to see the Tampa Bay Rays play their 2025 season in Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

About Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!

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