TAMPA, Fla. -- The Rays have reversed course and made their preference clear: They want to be back at Tropicana Field for the 2026 season.

In a Dec. 30 email to St. Petersburg City Administrator Rob Gerdes, team president Matt Silverman wrote that “the Rays support and expect the city to rebuild Tropicana Field in accordance with the terms of the current use agreement.”

The Rays are set to play this coming season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa after the Trop, their domed home since their inaugural season in 1998, sustained significant damage during Hurricane Milton in early October. The Rays had been open to considering a scenario in which the city bought out of its obligation to rebuild Tropicana Field, which would have left the club without a ballpark in 2026, but they now support the city’s effort to repair the stadium.

“The City of St. Petersburg is planning to complete the Tropicana Field repairs in time for the 2026 season, and the Rays organization stands ready to support that effort,” club co-president Brian Auld said on Monday.

With the Trop deemed unplayable for the 2025 season following the storm, their use agreement with the city will be extended through the end of the 2028 season. Section 16.03 in the city’s original agreement with the club dictates that “in the event of total or partial destruction or damage rendering the Dome not suitable for playing Home Games,” the agreement would be suspended and extended by one season.

Silverman re-emphasized the importance of having the Trop repaired in time for Opening Day in 2026, saying “there is a very significant difference for the Rays between the repairs being completed for Opening Day on the one hand and a completion date later in the season on the other.”

“A partial 2026 season in Tropicana Field would present massive logistical and revenue challenges for the team,” Silverman added. “It is therefore critical that the rebuild start in earnest as soon as possible, that a realistic completion schedule be developed quickly and that the city diligently pursue the reconstruction as required by the Use Agreement.”

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch has previously said that insurance and FEMA funds should cover much of the cost of fixing the city-owned stadium. In a statement, the city said administration officials “appreciate the Rays indicating their preference for the future of Tropicana Field.”

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Rays -- through participation in a collaborative working group -- and with City Council to return Major League Baseball games to St. Petersburg,” the city’s statement said. “Following a recent meeting with Rays owner Stu Sternberg, Mayor Welch -- as he has previously made clear -- intends to do all he can to fulfill the city’s obligations in relation to Major League Baseball."

According to Silverman’s email, the Rays intend to establish an internal committee that will work with the city and an independent advisor hired by MLB to “evaluate the timeline and monitor progress” of the reconstruction process.