On Friday, Aug. 28, the Hillsborough County Commission voted to approve the construction of a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium near the Hillsborough College campus in Tampa. The decision follows the Tampa City Council’s approval the previous day of the city’s share of the proposed $2.3 billion project, signaling unified local government support for the privately‑led venture.
County officials said the approval is conditional on four critical actions: securing the full financing package, finalizing a long‑term lease agreement for the 33‑acre site, completing a comprehensive environmental impact review, and locking in the stadium’s final architectural design and construction permits. Each step must be signed off before any ground can be broken, according to statements from Commission Chairwoman Jane Miller and Rays owner Christopher Heath.
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Stakeholders warned that delays in any of the four areas could push the projected 2028 opening back by years. Local business groups welcomed the potential economic boost, while neighborhood associations raised concerns about traffic and flood‑risk mitigation. The commission has set a 90‑day window to meet the prerequisites, after which a formal groundbreaking ceremony is expected to be scheduled.
