With the final roof panel in place, Tropicana Field is once again ready to play ball, meaning the Tampa Bay Rays’ return next season is finally in sight.

The Rays are celebrating “a massive step forward” in efforts to return next year to their hometown stadium that was severely damaged by Hurricane Milton last year.

“Panel by panel, thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly to make (Tropicana Field) whole again,” the Rays announced on X. “With the placement of the last piece, yesterday was a massive step forward for us, The City of St. Pete and Rays fans everywhere.”

St. Petersburg officials announced Friday that the final roof panel was installed ahead of schedule, completing one of the largest components of the stadium’s repair program.

“I want to thank our City team and our contractors for their diligent work in getting the roof installation completed ahead of schedule,” Mayor Ken Welch said in a statement.

”This project was a massive undertaking, but we have an outstanding team working on it and making sure we’re prepared for opening day. We look forward to completing the remaining repairs and welcoming fans back for the 2026 season.”

The roof installation follows extensive structural damage from Hurricane Milton last year that forced the Rays to spend the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Under the team’s existing use agreement, St. Petersburg is contractually required to keep the stadium playable through the 2028 season, a point city attorneys repeatedly emphasized as repair costs climbed. 

The City Council approved a $59.7 million budget in remediation and repair expenses covering the roof, new turf, lighting and electrical systems, wall panels, audio and video equipment, interior finishes and other storm-related repairs. The city is seeking reimbursements through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and insurance, though federal funding is not guaranteed.

With the roof sealed, contractors will now shift to interior work, including turf installation, sports lighting, audio system upgrades and additional repairs. According to the city’s timeline, interior projects will continue through early 2026, with turf installation scheduled for January. Substantial completion is expected by March, with all repairs on track to be finished by April 2026.

The Rays, meanwhile, are already preparing for their return. Rays CEO Ken Babby told MLB.com the club is “excited to return home to Tropicana Field in April,” promising a refreshed stadium when the team opens at home against the Cubs on April 6. The organization has announced an expanded main videoboard, new video displays, a new sound system and upgraded suites. 

Single-game tickets for the 2026 season are already on sale to the general public through the MLB Ballpark app and RaysBaseball.com. Ticket prices have been reduced for more than two-thirds of seats compared to 2024, and $10 tickets will be offered for every home game.

The team also plans a July celebration honoring franchise icon Evan Longoria once fans are finally back under the newly restored roof.

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Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics contributed to this report.