40 Facts About Tropicana Field

Tropicana Field: A Unique Venue

Tropicana Field, affectionately known as "the Trop," stands out as a multi-purpose domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida. It has been the home of Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays since 1998. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about this iconic venue.

1. Original Name
   Tropicana Field was initially called the Florida Suncoast Dome when it opened in 1990.

2. Design and Size
   Covering 1.1 million square feet, it ranks among the largest venues in Major League Baseball.

3. Construction Cost
   Built in 1990, the stadium's construction cost $138 million.

4. Renovations
   A major renovation in 1996 added 319,000 square feet, transforming it into a more modern facility.

5. Name Change
   In 1996, Tropicana Juice bought the naming rights, renaming the stadium Tropicana Field.

A Versatile Sports Hub

Tropicana Field isn't just for baseball. It has hosted a variety of sports and events, making it a versatile venue.

6. Hockey Connection
   The Tampa Bay Lightning moved to Tropicana Field in 1993, and it was briefly known as the ThunderDome.

7. Sports Versatility
   The stadium has hosted 14 different sports, including hockey, basketball, football, and even sprint car racing.

8. Notable Events
   It has hosted significant events like the 1999 NCAA Basketball Final Four and the 2008 World Series.

9. Attendance Records
   A crowd of 28,183 attended Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers in 1996, setting an NHL postseason attendance record.

10. Davis Cup Attendance
    In 1990, a record crowd of 53,150 attended the three-day Davis Cup tennis event at Tropicana Field.

Unique Features and Renovations

Tropicana Field boasts several unique features and has undergone numerous renovations to enhance the fan experience.

11. Basketball Exhibition
    On October 25, 1990, 25,710 fans watched an NBA exhibition game between the Chicago Bulls and Seattle SuperSonics, the largest crowd for a basketball game in Florida at that time.

12. Renovation Details
    The 1996 renovation included wider concourses, new Astroturf, clubhouses, dugouts, luxury suites, restrooms, elevators, and escalators.

13. Field Surface
    Initially featuring AstroTurf, it was replaced by FieldTurf in 2000. The warning track was updated to brown-colored stone-filled FieldTurf Duo in 2007.

14. Infield Design
    Tropicana Field has a traditional "full dirt" infield, rare for an artificial turf field, as it doesn't need to convert between baseball and football.

15. Unique Features
    One standout feature is the Rays Touch Tank, a 35-foot, 10,000-gallon tank where fans can touch live rays, in partnership with The Florida Aquarium.

Fan Experience and Amenities

Tropicana Field offers a range of amenities and features designed to enhance the fan experience.

16. Center Field Street
    Visitors enter through a giant rotunda reminiscent of Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field, leading to Centerfield Street, which includes a brewhouse, team store, and Hitters Hall-of-Fame.

17. Seating Configuration
    The lower level extends from right center field to home plate and around to left center field, while the upper level extends down the base lines. The Beach section in left field features beach decor and tropical foliage.

18. Outfield Wall
    The outfield wall has many nooks and crannies, creating interesting plays off the wall. Beyond the centerfield wall is the Batter’s Eye Restaurant.

19. Scoreboard Location
    The main scoreboard is located beyond the right centerfield seats.

20. Astroturf Replacement
    Astroturf was replaced by FieldTurf after the 1999 season.

Recent Upgrades and Future Plans

Tropicana Field continues to evolve with recent upgrades and plans for the future.

21. Post-Season Improvements
    In 2006, the Devil Rays added a live Cownose ray tank behind the center field wall, allowing fans to touch the creatures.

22. Video Boards
    New video boards, including a 35 ft × 64 ft Daktronics LED main video board, were added before the 2007 season.

23. Architectural Design
    The stadium's slanted roof reduces interior volume and cooling costs, and better protects against hurricanes. The dome lights up with orange lights after a Rays win.

24. Roof Type
    Tropicana Field is the only non-retractable domed stadium in Major League Baseball, making it the only year-round indoor venue in MLB.

25. Obstructed View Rows
    When obstructed-view rows in the uppermost sections are covered with tarps, it becomes the smallest MLB stadium by seating capacity.

Accessibility and Fan Engagement

Tropicana Field ensures accessibility and engages fans with various promotions and features.

26. Concourse Layout
    The primary 100-level concourse is at street level, with elevators, escalators, and stairs separating the outfield and infield sections. The 200-level loge box concourse is carpeted and includes luxury suite entrances. The 300-level concourse is the highest.

27. Gate Entrances
    There are seven gate entrances/exits, numbered clockwise. Gate 1, the main entrance, is known as the Rotunda. Gate 4 is VIP-only, while Gate 7 is for stadium and team personnel.

28. Location History
    The land now occupied by Tropicana Field was previously part of the Gas Plant neighborhood, home to nearly 800 people, many African American-owned businesses, and three African American churches from the late 1800s until 1986.

29. Historical Significance
    The Gas Plant district formed due to a recruitment initiative by St. Petersburg to attract people for infrastructure jobs, leading to the formation of many black communities.

30. Tarp Usage
    Tarps cover over 10,000 seats, which can be removed to increase seating capacity to over 42,000. The upper deck was closed before the 2019 season, reducing capacity to 25,025.

Fan Amenities and Merchandise

Tropicana Field offers various amenities and merchandise options for fans.

31. Left Field Ledge
    The Left Field Ledge is a social gathering space with a bar, ledge tables, and seated drink rails.

32. New Playing Surface
    A new playing surface was installed before the 2019 season.

33. Recent Upgrades
    In December 2013, the Rays announced upgrades to enhance the fan experience, including a walkway around the top of the lower bowl and an open-air gathering area in centerfield. Seating capacity was reduced to 31,000.

34. Future Plans
    Since 2007, the Rays have been exploring building a new ballpark. In September 2023, they announced plans for a new $1.3 billion ballpark adjacent to Tropicana Field, scheduled to open in 2028. Tropicana Field will be demolished once the new ballpark opens.

35. Accessibility Features
    Tropicana Field offers accessible seating, wheelchair transport service, sensory bags, and a sensory room designed with the University of South Florida’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.

36. Game-Day Promotions
    The Rays host game-day promotions, including giveaways like hats, tote bags, sunglasses, and bobbleheads, engaging fans with the team and stadium experience.

37. Merchandise Options
    Fans can purchase Rays merchandise at the Rays Republic Main Team Store near Gate 1 or the adjacent Rays Authentics store for game-used and authenticated items. Tropicana Field is cash-free, requiring debit or credit cards for all purchases.

38. Transportation Options
    For game-day parking, fans should arrive 60 to 90 minutes before game time. Prepaid parking is available for $15 per game. Rideshare pickup is located on 4th Avenue South by the Lot 7 entrance/exit. Tailgating is permitted, with parking lots opening three hours before first pitch. The Baseball Shuttle offers free transportation from downtown St. Pete to Tropicana Field.

39. Historical Milestones
    Tropicana Field has been the Rays’ home since their inaugural season in 1998. The stadium is named for the citrus juice company founded in 1947 in nearby Bradenton. The dome glows orange after every home-team win.

40. Legacy
    Despite being the last dome stadium in baseball, Tropicana Field remains beloved by fans and players. Its rich history, innovative design, and numerous upgrades have made it a staple in Major League Baseball.

Tropicana Field's Lasting Legacy

Tropicana Field, affectionately called "the Trop," has been a cornerstone of Tampa Bay's sports scene since 1990. From its origins as the Florida Suncoast Dome to hosting the Tampa Bay Rays, this stadium has seen it all. Unique features like the Rays Touch Tank and the slanted roof make it stand out. It's hosted everything from the World Series to NHL games, showing its versatility.

The stadium's rich history includes memorable events like the 1999 NCAA Basketball Final Four and the 2008 World Series. With plans for a new ballpark set to open in 2028, Tropicana Field's days are numbered. Yet, its legacy will endure, remembered for its innovative design and the countless unforgettable moments it provided. As the Rays prepare for their new home, Tropicana Field will always hold a special place in the hearts of fans and the Tampa Bay community.