The projected cost of a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium on the Hillsborough Community College Dale Mabry campus climbed past $2 billion as of January 28, 2026, according to updated estimates shared with local officials. But unlike early speculation, HCC is not relocating. Instead, the college would remain fully operational on the same site, constructing new academic buildings and modernized facilities as part of a sweeping redevelopment plan.
This approach—embedding a working college campus inside a major league ballpark district—is unprecedented in modern stadium development. Local leaders say the concept could create a dynamic, year‑round environment where education, entertainment, and economic activity coexist.
The HCC Board of Trustees has already approved a nonbinding memorandum of understanding, allowing formal negotiations to begin. The plan envisions a 113‑acre district with housing, hotels, retail, entertainment, and new campus facilities woven directly into the Rays’ ballpark village.
A Unique Twist on the Braves’ Battery Atlanta Model
The Rays’ new ownership group has repeatedly pointed to The Battery Atlanta, the Braves’ acclaimed mixed‑use district, as the blueprint for Tampa’s project. The Battery generates robust year‑round revenue, with mixed‑use earnings rising more than 50 percent in recent quarters. It has become the national model for how a stadium can anchor a thriving entertainment district.
But Tampa’s version introduces a twist the Braves never attempted: integrating a college campus into the development itself. Students would attend classes steps from restaurants, retail, and the stadium. Academic buildings could overlook the ballpark village. Campus life would blend with the district’s commercial energy, creating a hybrid environment unlike anything in Major League Baseball.
This integration also reduces land‑acquisition costs and avoids the political and financial challenges of relocating HCC—an early concern that has now been put to rest.
What Tampa, Hillsborough County, and Florida Must Do Next
To bring this ambitious project home, several key steps remain:
- Align public and private financing. With costs exceeding $2 billion, Tampa and Hillsborough County must craft a funding structure that balances tourism taxes, bonding, and private investment.
- Secure state support for campus redevelopment. Because HCC is a state college, Florida must approve new academic buildings and land‑use adjustments.
- Demonstrate long‑term economic value. The Battery succeeded because it created a destination, not just a stadium. Tampa must show that a campus‑integrated district can deliver similar year‑round impact.
- Finalize a master plan that protects HCC’s mission. The college must maintain academic integrity, student access, and operational continuity throughout construction.
A Transformative Opportunity—If Tampa Can Execute
The Rays have spent decades searching for a permanent home. The HCC campus now offers the most compelling path forward—one that blends education, entertainment, and economic development in a way no MLB market has attempted.
If Tampa can align its political, financial, and state partners, the region could deliver a stadium village that rivals the Braves’ Battery while creating a model entirely its own.
