Rays Overview

Fast facts

League: MLB

Head Coach: Kevin Cash

Team Mascot: Raymond

Year Opened: 1990

Capacity: 42735

City / State: St. Petersburg / Florida

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Rays vs Red Sox

Rival Team: Boston Red Sox

This rivalry can be traced back to the 2000 season when a Rays player (Gerald Williams) was hit by Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez and Williams charged the mound, resulting in multiple ejections of both teams’ players. There has been a great deal of animosity between the two teams ever since, including numerous bench-clearing fights. Things heightened, even more, when the Rays won their first pennant against the Red Sox in 2008. Because of their history together, this match up makes for some of the most exciting games in regular season, so don’t miss it when the Red Sox come to town.

Rays vs Yankees

Rival Team: New York Yankees

The Yankees have held Spring Training in Tampa for years, and Tampa is the home of their Advanced-A affiliate, the Tampa Yankees. As a result baseball fans in the Tampa Bay area are divided primarily between the Rays and Yankees creating an intense atmosphere when these two meet at the Trop.

Citrus Series

Rival Team: Miami Marlins

Citrus Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins has been going strong since 1998. While the Marlins and Rays interleague rivalry may not be as fierce as some of the other intracity and intrastate rivalries, you’ll still have a good time attending a Rays-Marlins game.

Rays Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

Tailgating at Tropicana Field is a pretty low-key, family friendly experience.  Some fans come closer to game time while others will hang out for batting practice, or wander over to Ferg’s for a little bit (or a lot!) of partying before game time.  If you want to tailgate at the stadium, you can do so in the lots on the east side of the stadium.  There should be plenty of room for you to park and toss out a small grill and a cooler with a table and a few chairs.

The majority of the fans head into downtown St. Petersburg which is only about 2 miles from the stadium.  There you will find all of the most popular sports bars and restaurants which can be found on our bars and restaurant guide as well.  

Traditions

Ferg's

Right across from the Trop is Ferg’s, a massive, multi-level bar that lots of Rays fans frequent before the games. Superfans come in droves, ready to party and celebrate game day with other fans and locals so if you want to get rowdy before the game, Ferg’s is where you need to be.

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Palm Trees

If you’re from a colder climate take some time to see the palm trees outside the stadium.

Where to tailgate

Rays Stadium Guide

In Game

Tropicana Field is the last fixed dome stadium left in Major League Baseball, but it comes with its advantages, the biggest being the stadium is completely air conditioned.  You can sit back and enjoy the game without worrying about sunburn, your legs sticking to the seats, burning your hand on a railing, or the glare of the sun interrupting your view of the game.  

One of the most unique features about a Rays game is the presence of actual Stingrays.  During the 2006 season, the outfield was redone to include a 10,000-gallon saltwater fish tank full of Stingrays.  Fans love the attraction as it turns a day at the ballpark into an afternoon at the aquarium as well.

There is always something going on at the games; ranging from usher dance offs, cats as DJ’s and conga lines that form on the field, the entertainment at Tropicana Field is neverending. If that isn’t enough, after a Friday night game there is a dance party on the field, and with a guest, DJ brought in to supply the beats.

Things to check out

Rays Touch Tank

In right-center field over the fence is the Rays Touch Tank, a 35-foot, ten-gallon tank filled with rays that fans are allowed to see and interact with. The tank also serves as a charitable enterprise; for every ball hit into the tank by a Rays player, the Rays franchise will donate $5,000 to charity.

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Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame

The Ted Williams Museum was moved to Tropicana Field in 2006 and is home to exhibits honoring the legendary Williams’ career with not only the Boston Red Sox but also the United States Marine Corp. The museum and Hitters Hall of Fame also features a ton of authentic baseball memorabilia, a Pitching Wall of Great Achievement, and a Negro League wing as well as rotating exhibits featuring mementos from the Tampa Bay Rays and the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from the 1950’s.

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Cuesta Rey Cigar Bar

The Cuesta-Bay Cigar Bar is the only place you’re allowed smoke inside Tropicana Field. The Cuesta-Bay Cigar Bar offers a large selection of cigars, many of which are locally made so stop by and check it out.

The Three Specially Marked Seats

There are three specially marked seats inside Tropicana Field, commemorating special moments in Tampa Bay history. The gold seat in section 148, marks the spot of the first home run in franchise history hit by Wade Boggs; another gold seat in section 144 that marks where Boggs’ 3,000th hit landed; and a white seat in section 140 that marks where Dan Johnson’s game-tying home run landed during Game 162 (clinched the AL Wild Card) in the 2011 season. Fun fact: Johnson’s ball struck a fan, well, in the Johnson.

DJ Kitty

Whenever the Tampa Bay Devil Rays need a rally, DJ Kitty is on the job. Decked out in Rays gear, DJ Kitty and his turntable appear on the large video screen while music is blasted through the P.A. system, firing up fans and the players alike.

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Cowbells

Inspired by Will Ferrell's iconic “More Cowbell” skit on Saturday Night Live, this tradition has been a big part of home games at Tropicana Field. The Rays host “Cowbell Night” once a year in which they give out free cowbells, but they can also be bought year-round inside the stadium. Fans use the cowbells when an opposing batter has two strikes, when the opposing fans try to chant, and when the Rays make a good play.

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Turn Back the Clock Night

The Tampa Bay Rays hold this promotional event every season and has turned into a great tradition for the Rays. Since 2006, the Rays and their opponent wear throwback uniforms for this retro-themed game. Because the Rays don’t have as extensive of a franchise history to choose uniforms from, they often wear historic uniforms of other local teams. In recent years, the Rays have worn “faux-back” uniforms - designed to look like what the Rays uniforms might have looked like during certain time periods.

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Friday Night Dance Parties

After every Friday night game, there is a post game dance party on the field with a guest DJ. Stick around after a Friday night game and join in the dance party following the game.

Fight Songs

  1. Feel the Heat Rays

    This song by Darren Moore is played after home runs and victories at Tropicana Field.

Rays Bars & Restaurants

  1. The Blue Goose Bar

    Blue Goose

    Awesome drinks, great atmosphere to hang with and the service is flawless!

    48 9th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA

    727-201-9690

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  2. The Lure

    The Lure

    A fun, friendly and laid-back atmosphere with five-star taste sensations and service.

    661 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA

    727-914-8000

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $$

  3. Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill

    Fergs

    Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill is the official gathering spot for Tampa Bay Rays fans.

    1320 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA

    727-822-4562

    Bar website

    american - sportsbar - $$

  4. The Burg Bar & Grill

    Burg Bar fries

    The idea behind "The Burg" was to have a place where you can walk in and have a great BURGer and cold draft beer in St. PetersBURG.

    1752 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33712, USA

    727-894-2874

    Bar website

    american - sportsbar - $$

  5. Engine No. 9

    wine

    Engine No. 9 is a small sports bar located in the heart of St. Petersburg, Florida. We are regarded by many locals as home to the best burgers in the Tampa Bay area.

    56 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA

    727-623-0938

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $$

  6. Green Bench Brewing Company

    Green Bench beer

    Green Bench is St. Petersburg's first production microbrewery with an on-site tasting room and beer garden.

    1133 Baum Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA

    727-800-9836

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $$

  7. Cage Brewing

    Brewery beer

    A good place to chill with some good beers!

    2001 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712, USA

    727-201-4278

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  8. Steve’s Tavern

    House of Wings Sportsbar Beer 3rd Base Sports Bar Beer Kilroys Beer

    A great place to hang - cool drinks, pool table, and positive vibes!

    933 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA

    727-847-1004

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  9. Bodega

    Bodega burger

    Inspired by the islands of Latin America and with love for the freshest ingredients, Bodega creates food people love.

    1120 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA

    727-623-0942

    Bar website

    cafe - $

  10. Hawkers Asian Street Fare

    Hawkers Asian Street

    Our dishes are inspired by travel throughout SE Asia combined with a selection of our favorite family recipes and traditions.

    1235 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA

    727-521-7253

    Bar website

    asian - $$

  11. Pizza Box

    Pizza Box

    We are thrilled to introduce our new wood fired concept - Pizza Box!

    923 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA

    727-623-0444

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  12. Red Mesa Mercado

    tacos

    Red Mesa Mercado brings to St Pete the urban drive-by dining style unique to the streets of Southern California and Mexico – places where secret recipes rich with flavors and the freshest ingredients get served up quick in a no-nonsense, take-out style.

    1100 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA

    727-954-7430

    Bar website

    mexican - $