The distance from Tropicana Field to George M. Steinbrenner Field is just over 20 miles, but the Tampa Bay Rays are embracing their new home that's technically on the road.
One of the strangest ballpark transformations in MLB history will be realized by players and fans in West Florida on Friday afternoon, when the Rays play their first of 81 regular-season games inside the Yankees' spring training home. New York welcomed Tampa Bay as its guest for the 2025 campaign in November, following devastation from Hurricane Milton that severely damaged Tropicana Field.
The unique transformation of Steinbrenner Field -- which has a seating capacity of 11,026 -- as the destination for Rays home games occurred earlier this week, and the multi-company project included rebranding the venue with more than 3,000 installation pieces.
The Rays shared videos of the Steinbrenner Field makeover ahead of their Opening Day meeting with the Colorado Rockies.