The Tampa Bay Rays are finally coming back to Tropicana Field, and they have some exciting opponents to host.
Excitement surrounds the Tampa Bay Rays as the club prepares to move back into Tropicana Field for the 2026 season.
The Rays are also under new ownership who are committed to providing a new and improved fan experience at the Trop. To add to the excitement, single game tickets went on sale Nov. 13. Opening day is still months away, but fans should have several dates circled on their calendar, some of which are included below:
April 6 Home Opener vs Chicago Cubs-
It cannot be overstated how significant the 2026 home opener is for the Rays. In fact, it may be the most important since the team’s inaugural 1998 season. After a season away from Tropicana Field due to damage brought on by Hurricane Milton in October 2024, the Rays make their return to Tropicana Field on April 6 to kick off a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs are coming off a strong season in which they compiled a 92-70 record which led to their first playoff appearance since 2020. It will be a good first test for the Rays at home and one the fans will not want to miss.
April 10 vs New York Yankees-
It will not take long for the Rays to host a familiar foe as the Yankees come to town to play a three-game stint beginning April 10.
The two clubs have a longstanding divisional rivalry that has spanned across the regular season and the playoffs. Last season did not favor Tampa Bay, as the Yankees won the season series, 9-4, and made the playoffs while the Rays finished with a below .500 record. Tampa Bay will likely enter this first meeting with an extra chip on its shoulder.
May 4 vs Toronto Blue Jays-
After coming ever-so-close to beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series earlier this month, the Toronto Blue Jays are going to be eager in their pursuit of returning to the mountain top. Led by five-time All-Star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Blue Jays won the American League East last season and were the last team the Rays saw as Toronto swept them at Rogers Centre.
The last time the Blue Jays visited Tropicana Field was September 2024. The Rays swept them, but Toronto is a much different, and better, team than it once was. Tampa Bay will have quite the battle ahead when it hosts the Blue Jays for a three-game series beginning May 4.
