Rays clear final major hurdle for $2.4B ballpark as county backs project

Hillsborough County commissioners voted 5-2 to approve the Rays' proposed stadium at Hillsborough College's Dale Mabry campus, following a similar vote by Tampa's city council. The team can now begin bond and funding validation before breaking ground on the ballpark, which is targeted for Opening Day 2029. The project carries a projected cost of just under $2.4 billion, with the city and county contributing $80 million and $796 million respectively.