Florida gov. Ron DeSantis approves land transfer paving way for Rays stadium in Tampa

The Florida Cabinet and Gov. Ron DeSantis agreed Tuesday to give Hillsborough College a 22-acre (49-hectare) plot of state land in Tampa to use for a proposed ballpark for the Rays.

Last month, the Rays ownership entered a memorandum of understanding to build a stadium and mixed use entertainment district on the college campus, and to renovate some of the college’s buildings.

Carson Williams #7 of the Tampa Bay Rays is congratulated after scoring a run in the second inning during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on September 18, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. Getty Images

A small section of the property, which is next to the New York Yankees’ spring training facility and across a highway from Raymond James Stadium, was owned by the state of Florida.

The state holds the right to take back the land if the “components” of the new stadium do not exist within five years of the land transfer, according to the Cabinet’s agenda item.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a news conference Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. AP

“This is undoubtedly a big moment for Tampa Bay, and the Rays are fully in this moment to bring this vision to life, and serve our region for generations to come,” Rays Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby said in a statement.

Earlier this month, DeSantis and Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred held a news conference in Tampa to support the Rays stadium effort.

The Rays have said they hope to have the stadium built within three years.