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Rays want $1 billion from Hillsborough, Tampa for new ballpark

That's $400 million more than what the team sought from Pinellas County and St. Petersburg.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rays" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="fbcba576-c5ee-47fa-9718-6cf0977755c7" data-vars-headline="Rays want $1 billion from Hillsborough, Tampa for new ballpark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" target="_self">Rays</a> are looking for about $1 billion from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hillsborough County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/01/rays-loom-over-hillsborough-commission-meeting" data-vars-content-id="fbcba576-c5ee-47fa-9718-6cf0977755c7" data-vars-headline="Rays want $1 billion from Hillsborough, Tampa for new ballpark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/01/rays-loom-over-hillsborough-commission-meeting" target="_self">Hillsborough County</a> and the City of Tampa to build a new ballpark, according to a working draft of the memorandum of understanding obtained by Axios.Why it matters: That&#x27;s $400 million more than what the team <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sought from Pinellas County and St. Petersburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/20/mlb-rays-new-stadium-deal-st-petersburg" data-vars-content-id="fbcba576-c5ee-47fa-9718-6cf0977755c7" data-vars-headline="Rays want $1 billion from Hillsborough, Tampa for new ballpark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/20/mlb-rays-new-stadium-deal-st-petersburg" target="_self">sought from Pinellas County and St. Petersburg</a> — and would be the largest commitment of taxpayer dollars to a sports stadium in the region&#x27;s history.

Country Thunder Florida sells tickets as permits remain unapproved

The December announcement sounded like a dream: Music festival <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Country Thunder Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/10/country-thunder-florida-2026-lineup" data-vars-content-id="abc24741-7c62-4500-bf2b-c397615b4ee4" data-vars-headline="Country Thunder Florida sells tickets as permits remain unapproved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/10/country-thunder-florida-2026-lineup" target="_self">Country Thunder Florida</a> would take place in May &quot;on the iconic sugar-white sands of St. Pete Beach&quot; at the TradeWinds Resort, the news release read.Why it matters: Less than a month out, organizers haven&#x27;t secured the local and state permits needed to hold the festival on the beach, raising questions about whether it will happen as advertised — or at all.

Inside ZooTampa's multimillion-dollar expansion

The nonprofit zoo draws more than a million visitors each year.

ZooTampa&#x27;s expansion may receive a $75 million boost from Hillsborough County&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="half-cent sales tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/09/19/what-hillsboroughs-half-cent-tax-could-fund" data-vars-content-id="97dfc1d4-5348-4dff-b18f-fd1ac18b782f" data-vars-headline="Inside ZooTampa&#x27;s multimillion-dollar expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/09/19/what-hillsboroughs-half-cent-tax-could-fund" target="_self">half-cent sales tax</a> — the same pot of money the Rays are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hoping to draw from" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/19/can-hillsboroughs-half-cent-tax-fund-a-new-rays-stadium-heres-what-we-know" data-vars-content-id="97dfc1d4-5348-4dff-b18f-fd1ac18b782f" data-vars-headline="Inside ZooTampa&#x27;s multimillion-dollar expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/19/can-hillsboroughs-half-cent-tax-fund-a-new-rays-stadium-heres-what-we-know" target="_self">hoping to draw from</a> to finance a new ballpark. Why it matters: The nonprofit zoo is an anchor institution in Hillsborough County and draws more than a million visitors each year, but it can&#x27;t enhance and expand its facilities without outside investment.

Events to bring heavy traffic to downtown Tampa this weekend

Concertgoers, soccer fans and wine enthusiasts are all headed downtown this weekend.

No one who has had the misfortune of driving through downtown Tampa needs a reminder that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traffic is bad" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/26/report-tampa-drivers-lose-57-hours-per-year-in-rush-hour-traffic" data-vars-content-id="13c565f4-be74-4808-bf0c-bcf97f5a61a1" data-vars-headline="Events to bring heavy traffic to downtown Tampa this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/26/report-tampa-drivers-lose-57-hours-per-year-in-rush-hour-traffic" target="_self">traffic is bad</a>. <ul><li>And yet, it keeps finding ways to get worse. This weekend, expect more than a dozen of them. </li></ul>The big picture: Concertgoers, soccer fans and wine enthusiasts are all headed downtown this weekend. So, plan (or suffer) accordingly.

IKEA to open store in Sarasota

The store is slated to open late this summer.

A new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="IKEA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/05/best-buy-ikea-opening-shops-furniture-kitchen" data-vars-content-id="6eed033c-7f84-4928-b31c-d98f5b7acc97" data-vars-headline="IKEA to open store in Sarasota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/05/best-buy-ikea-opening-shops-furniture-kitchen" target="_self">IKEA</a> store will soon land in Sarasota. Why it matters: Right now, Sarasota residents who want to indulge in the Swedish retailer&#x27;s meatballs and maze-style showrooms have to commit to an hour&#x27;s drive to Tampa.

Rays return to Tropicana Field: What to know

For the first time since 2024, the Rays will play at Tropicana Field.

Sports

For the first time since 2024, the Rays <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="will play at Tropicana Field" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/13/tampa-bay-rays-st-petersburg-2026-tickets" data-vars-content-id="1dede3a4-5331-4221-8cd6-b753220c8fc2" data-vars-headline="Rays return to Tropicana Field: What to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/13/tampa-bay-rays-st-petersburg-2026-tickets" target="_self">will play at Tropicana Field</a> on Monday night. Why it matters: It&#x27;s been a long time coming (one year and six months to be exact), but the team is finally back home in St. Petersburg.

Inside St. Pete Beach's Hollywood takeover for new Paul Rudd movie

"The Statement" is set to film next week at the Don CeSar.

In the shell of a former Dollar Tree in St. Pete Beach, a slice of Hollywood hummed to life.<ul><li>Locals arrived in T-shirts and jeans and emerged from makeshift dressing rooms in vintage color-block rompers and A-line skirts. A table of seamstresses pinned and tucked, altering garments in real time. </li></ul>

All of the events at Pride of Tampa this weekend

It's Pride weekend in Tampa, and tons of events are on the lineup.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s Pride weekend in Tampa, and tons of events are on the lineup. Why it matters: While this year won&#x27;t include the usual parade due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Pride&#x27;s hiatus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/10/17/tampa-pride-hiatus-future" data-vars-content-id="ad25c91c-59a8-4590-97de-5240a58e2069" data-vars-headline="All of the events at Pride of Tampa this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/10/17/tampa-pride-hiatus-future" target="_self">Tampa Pride&#x27;s hiatus</a>, another organization stepped up to keep the LGBTQ+ celebration going.

St. Pete casting call: Extras needed for Paul Rudd film

"The Statement" is filming April 6-8 right here in the Sunshine City.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Pete" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" data-vars-content-id="1cba9173-5a73-4be0-86b1-87f3c04da041" data-vars-headline="St. Pete casting call: Extras needed for Paul Rudd film" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" target="_self">St. Pete</a> locals, it&#x27;s our time to shine.State of play: FrontRunner Casting Agency is seeking extras for &quot;The Statement,&quot; a new movie starring Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti and John Turturro that&#x27;s filming April 6-8 here in the Sunshine City.

Tampa Bay's most Irish county, based on census data

About 1 in 10 Tampa Bay residents claim Irish ancestry.

Culture

We might all be Irish on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Patrick&#x27;s Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/03/15/st-patricks-day-new-orleans-parade-parties-events" data-vars-content-id="1bd007d2-7f8e-4c66-a70e-c5f7213f0ed3" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay&#x27;s most Irish county, based on census data" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/03/15/st-patricks-day-new-orleans-parade-parties-events" target="_self">St. Patrick&#x27;s Day</a>, but the reality is that only 10% of Tampa Bay residents have Irish ancestry, according to the U.S. Census.The big picture: The United States had an average Irish ancestry of 9.4% in 2022.

Tampa insurance agent cast in Netflix's "Age of Attraction"

He is Tampa Bay's latest reality TV star.

The cast of Netflix&#x27;s new unscripted series &quot;Age of Attraction&quot; includes an insurance agent from Tampa.Why it matters: The dating experiment, a spiritual spinoff of &quot;Love is Blind,&quot; follows 40 singles who will discover whether love is ageless.

St. Pete's luxury-fueled identity crisis

From a $30K lounge to a possible Four Seasons, wealth is transforming the city.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Petersburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/21/wayward-goose-st-petersburg-closing" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/21/wayward-goose-st-petersburg-closing" target="_self">St. Petersburg</a> City Council member Richie Floyd&#x27;s jaw hit the floor when he <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="read" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/food/2026/02/21/st-pete-food-hall-kojo-bar-hanna-central-park/" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/food/2026/02/21/st-pete-food-hall-kojo-bar-hanna-central-park/" target="_blank">read</a> how much it&#x27;ll cost to join a members-only lounge coming soon to downtown&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Central Park food hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/06/new-restaurants-2026-tampa-st-pete" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/06/new-restaurants-2026-tampa-st-pete" target="_self">Central Park food hall</a>.<ul><li>For Tampa Bay&#x27;s once-gritty <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city of the arts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2026/02/24/is-st-pete-still-city-arts-column/" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2026/02/24/is-st-pete-still-city-arts-column/" target="_blank">city of the arts</a>, where many residents are struggling with rising costs, $30,000 is a jarring figure. Yet, the co-owner told Axios he&#x27;s been flooded with interest.</li><li>&quot;We actually can&#x27;t keep up,&quot; said Mark Levey, who recently moved from Tampa to a condo on the 28th floor of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Residences at 400 Central" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/03/inside-400-central-st-petersburg" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/03/inside-400-central-st-petersburg" target="_self">The Residences at 400 Central</a>, St. Pete&#x27;s newest luxury high-rise.</li></ul>Why it matters: The project is one of several that signal a burgeoning movement toward luxury and exclusivity intensified by a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pandemic-induced influx of new residents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/19/florida-population-income-moving-migration" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/19/florida-population-income-moving-migration" target="_self">pandemic-induced influx of new residents</a> — and wealth.

Is it OK to wear pajamas at TPA? Our readers say no

Tampa International Airport announced last week that it's "banning" pajamas.

OK y&#x27;all. We get it. Wearing pajamas at the airport is not acceptable.The big picture: That&#x27;s according to a poll of Axios Tampa Bay readers reacting to Tampa International Airport&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="joke announcement" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/FlyTPA/status/2027037182091731286?s=20" data-vars-content-id="1cd77a6d-ae06-4584-ab39-879ff432fe22" data-vars-headline="Is it OK to wear pajamas at TPA? Our readers say no" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/FlyTPA/status/2027037182091731286?s=20" target="_blank">joke announcement</a> that it&#x27;s banning PJs.

The best and worst new foods at the 2026 Florida State Fair

We made it through 14 of the 32 items highlighted in this year's visitor's guide.

Axios Tampa Bay set out to try all of the strange, new food and drink choices at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Florida State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/06/florida-state-fair-foods-2025" data-vars-content-id="bdc00e1b-68f4-4e4e-81fa-b4041acce643" data-vars-headline="The best and worst new foods at the 2026 Florida State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/06/florida-state-fair-foods-2025" target="_self">Florida State Fair</a>.State of play: Kathryn had to sit this one out, so she left my wife, Maya, and me to brave the fair food alone. <ul><li>Our stomachs haven&#x27;t forgiven her.</li></ul>