Rays' $2.36 billion ballpark wins local approval, with 2029 opening targeted

Sports Business Journal reports that Tampa and Hillsborough County approved the Rays' $2.36 billion ballpark in August 2026. The owners also plan an $8 billion-to-$10 billion privately financed development around it, aiming to make the franchise a top-15 MLB revenue club. Bond validation remains ahead of groundbreaking, and the ballpark is targeted for the 2029 season.