Spring training will return to St. Petersburg, with Tropicana Field set to host a majority of the Tampa Bay Rays’ spring games.Before the major league team departs for the Trop, Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports near Orlando will host the Rays’ preseason workouts starting early February. The 220-acre sports complex last served as a team’s spring base in 2019 before the Atlanta Braves left.
“We are thankful for Disney’s willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected spring training needs,” Rays team presidentsaid in a statement. “ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will provide our players and coaches with first-class facilities for their annual ramp-up to the season.” The Rays usually play spring training games in Port Charlotte, but the ballpark sustained significant damage from Hurricane Ian. The team announced it wasAl Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg hosted the Rays’ spring training games from 1998 through 2008.
Tropicana Field, meanwhile, will likely be demolished in favor of a new mixed-use 86-acre district. On Dec. 2, four development teamsis expected to choose a lead developer in January.