The Tampa Bay Rays have announced new upgrades, additions, features and partners to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa as the team prepares the ballpark to host the 2025 regular season. The 2025 season is presented by Orlando Health.
“We’d like to thank our staff, corporate partners, fans, Major League Baseball, the Tampa Sports Authority and the Yankees organization,” said Rays Chief Business Officer Bill Walsh. “We are incredibly grateful to be here, two days away from Rays 2025 Opening Day, here in Tampa Bay.”
The Rays have transformed Steinbrenner Field into their home for the regular season with more than 50 installers from five companies and more than 80 staff members working around the clock since spring training concluded. There are more than 3,000 individual pieces of marketing assets that are being installed, which if laid out end-to-end, equals more than a mile.
To showcase the team’s first outdoor home game schedule, light and sound shows will be used at Steinbrenner Field for all games starting at 4:10 p.m. or later. Fireworks displays, presented by Orlando Health, will be used during the national anthem, after every home run and in celebration of each victory. Fans can also look forward to new, unique giveaways including bobbleheads, tropical shirts, hats, branded towels and more.
On Opening Day, March 28, the 6th Air Refueling Wing from MacDill Air Force Base will conduct the team’s first pregame flyover during the singing of the National Anthem. The 6th ARW is a 3,000-person force, providing world-class air refueling and airbase support to Headquarters U.S. Central Command, Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command and 51 other mission partners at MacDill Air Force Base.
Also new this season, the Rays announce a clear-bag policy at Steinbrenner Field. One clear bag is permitted per person, not to exceed 12” x 6” x 12”. Small, single-pocket clutches, wallets or fanny packs that do not exceed 5” x 7” are also permitted and do not have to be clear. Exceptions to this policy include bags exclusively carrying necessary medical equipment or diaper/infant bags not exceeding 16” x 8” x 16,” accompanying a baby or toddler.
In order to better prepare fans for weather conditions around Steinbrenner Field, the Rays will launch a webpage for fans to monitor weather before and during their trip to the ballpark. Fans can visit RaysBaseball.com/Weather beginning on Opening Day for more information and to stay up-to-date.
Complimentary sunscreen kiosks, presented by Orlando Health, will be placed throughout the ballpark. These kiosks will allow fans to easily apply sunscreen and protect themselves from ultraviolet radiation. Orlando Health is also presenting partner of hydration stations at Steinbrenner Field. Fans can bring in one 20 oz. sealed water bottle or an empty reusable, plastic bottle up to 44 oz. to refill at the water stations. No metal, aluminum or glass bottles will be permitted.
Sensory bags will continue to be available at Guest Services on the main concourse, offering crucial sensory support for fans with sensitivities to noise, lights or crowds.
Family Fundays, presented by RIPA, will return this season on Sunday afternoons. Pregame entertainment will feature face painters, balloon twisters and a variety of additional interactive activities. Fans 14 and under can also take advantage of free player autographs on Sundays along the first-base line, approximately 60 minutes before the game’s first pitch.
The Rays commitment to the Tampa Bay community remains paramount. In 2025, community efforts and service will continue including, but not limited, the following:
- Nearly $250,000 in scholarships will be awarded, and $1 million in grants will be distributed.
- Around 50,000 students will participate in Reading with the Rays this summer.
- More than 120 local nonprofits will receive financial support from the Rays Baseball
Foundation.
- The Rays Jersey Program will outfit nearly 7,000 local tee-ball players and coaches with
free Rays shirts and caps.
- Rays staffers will continue to serve on boards of nearly 50 local nonprofits.
- The Rays will continue hurricane relief efforts in addition to the $1 million that was donated to the cause last fall.
A limited number of standing-room-only tickets will be made available for $20 for all Rays home games this season, including Opening Day. The Rays Rush Tickets will be released prior to each home series throughout the season, and fans will be notified by SMS message when they are available. Fans should sign up before noon on Wednesday, March 26 to receive the offer for the first series by texting RAYS to 42086. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel or HELP for help. Up to 14 messages per week. No purchase necessary. Taxes and fees are included in the all-in price of $20 per ticket.
As a flexible option, the Fan’s Choice Plan allows Rays fans to choose the games they want to attend. By choosing 20 games, this plan includes Season Membership benefits including season-long MLB.TV access, exclusive discounts and a dedicated Season Membership Services Specialist.
Returning Rays corporate partners this year include Amerant Bank, the Official Bank of the Tampa Bay Rays, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida and Orlando Health, among others.
Additionally, some organizations have expanded their scope of partnership with the Rays, such as Colony Grill, now the Official Pizza of the Tampa Bay Rays. Select pizzas will be available for purchase at all games at Steinbrenner Field. Also, Colony Grill and the Rays will launch Hot Oil Homers this season. If the Rays get a home run at Steinbrenner Field, fans can buy any pizza and get one free pizza with a “hot oil” topping at participating Colony Grill locations. Fans can redeem the offer within seven days by showing their game ticket on the MLB Ballpark App in-store.
The Rays also welcome new corporate partners this season. The Mosaic Company, an American chemical company based in Tampa, FL, will donate $500 to Meals on Wheels for the first run scored by the Rays at home games to combat food insecurity in our area.
Webull, the Official Online Brokerage of the Tampa Bay Rays, will support communities affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton by contributing to various Tampa Bay Rays-affiliated relief organizations. This includes special Tampa Bay Rays-specific promotions, where fans can download, open and fund their Webull accounts through a dedicated webpage. Webull will match a percentage of those deposits, donating the proceeds to support hurricane relief efforts.