ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The Tampa Bay Rays new ownership group, lead by Patrick Zalupski, met the media today to talk about some of the early goals from the new ownership group, with the main outcome being the progress, and early plans, of a new ballpark to house the Rays.

The Rays ownership group is setting a loose deadline of having a “world-class ballpark” in the Tampa Bay area by opening day 2029. While Zalupski realizes that the timeline is aggressive, Zalupski and his team want to act with a sense of urgency to get a new ballpark. Zalupski said the group is seeking a site that has 100 acres of land. The Rays met with some officials in the Atlanta Braves organization, who recently built a new ballpark, Trust Park. The Rays ownership called it “critical” to have a Battery-like mixed-use development, like the Braves do, because of the revenue it will bring in for the team.

"Plan A is to figure it out here in Tampa Bay. We're confident that we're going to get that done." Zalupski said.

"We're very aware and in touch with the fatigue around this issue for the last 21 years.” New Rays CEO Ken Babby said. “We know that fatigue is real. We know that we have a lot of work to do ahead of us and that work begins today."

It has been well documented, especially with the damage to Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton last fall, that the Rays would need a new ballpark sooner than later. One of the main things Zalupski noted was in the Tampa Bay area, not St. Petersburg, where the economic and political situation made it difficult for the Rays to stay in St. Pete, not to mention the lack of attendance due to transportation.

There is still no announcement regarding where the Rays will play their home games in 2026.