Hillsborough County, Fla. (Aug. 28, 2026) - In a 5-2 vote, Hillsborough County Commissioners on Friday, Aug. 28, voted to move forward with an agreement on the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry Campus Ballpark project.
"Today's vote marks a monumental step toward securing a forever home for the Tampa Bay Rays, while integrating a new Hillsborough College campus into an $8 billion private sector investment," Board of County Commissioners Chair Ken Hagan said. "This will be the largest, most transformative development in Hillsborough County history and the nation's first live-work-play-learn district anchored by an MLB ballpark."
The vote follows several months of negotiations among officials from Hillsborough County, City of Tampa, the Tampa Bay Rays, and Tampa Sports Authority. Discussions also took place with Hillsborough College, and the state of Florida.
The new Rays stadium complex will be located at the corner of Dale Mabry Highway and West Tampa Bay Boulevard near Raymond James Stadium and Tampa International Airport.
Negotiations are anticipated to continue as additional agreements are pending consideration and approval by the Board of County Commissioners, including Ballpark License & Use Agreement, Community Benefits Agreement, and Construction Funds Trust Agreement.
The Rays have set an anticipated ballpark opening for April 2029.