# Tampa City Council approves $2.3B Rays stadium deal

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20260824-tampa-bay-rays-stadium-development
> Updated: 2026-08-26T14:30:49.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 3.

The Tampa City Council has approved the $2.3 billion proposal for a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, passing the measure with a 4-3 vote. The project remains slated for the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough College and will feature a mixed-use entertainment district alongside renovations to college buildings.

The financial framework maintains that the Rays ownership will commit more than $1.3 billion and cover all cost overruns, while public contributions are capped at $876 million. This includes a city contribution of up to $80 million and approximately $796 million from Hillsborough County via tax revenues and federal disaster-recovery funds.

Rays CEO Ken Babby stated the investment would “secure the future of Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay while creating a landmark destination neighborhood.” Following the council’s decision, the project now moves to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners for a scheduled vote.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: Tampa City Council approves $2.3B deal for new Rays ballpark

The Tampa City Council approved a $2.3 billion deal for a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, utilizing $876 million in public funds and $1.3 billion in private investment at the Hillsborough College campus.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-proposal-heads-to-critical-city-and-county-votes

### 2026-08-24: Tampa Bay Rays outline community benefits and stadium funding plans

The Tampa Bay Rays have unveiled a community benefits plan for their proposed stadium, featuring housing and workforce programs, alongside new details regarding property tax-funded stadium financing.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tampa-bay-rays-outline-community-benefits-and-stadium-funding-plans

### 2026-08-17: AECOM Hunt-led joint venture selected for $2.3B Tampa Bay Rays stadium

A joint venture led by AECOM Hunt has been selected to build a new $2.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays stadium, pending final financing approval from Tampa and Hillsborough County officials.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aecom-hunt-led-joint-venture-selected-for-23b-tampa-bay-rays-stadium

---
Cite as: Tampa City Council approves $2.3B Rays stadium deal. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20260824-tampa-bay-rays-stadium-development