Tampa Bay Rays Tropicana Field Stadium Fan Guide [2023 info]


Sportsfanfocus.com has no affiliation with Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Rays, or MLB (info)

This is a guide to the Tampa Bay Rays home ballpark (Tropicana Field). Going to a baseball game can be fun, but it is also a unique experience that you will want to plan for accordingly. There are certain policies and procedures you will want to be aware of beforehand, as well as stadium gate and parking lot locations for easy entrance.

Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Tampa Bay Rays tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).

In this article we will discuss:

  • What to bring to a Rays Game
  • Tampa Bay Rays Ticket Information
  • Tropicana Field Gate Information
  • Does Tropicana Field Accept Cash?
  • How Long are Tampa Bay Rays Games?

What to Bring to a Tampa Bay Rays Game?

If you are going to a Tampa Bay Rays game, planning ahead is always important. Below is a list of things you might need to bring, and you will want to make sure you are complying with any security protocols the stadium has:

  • Clear Stadium BagMany stadiums have strict bag policies and recommend a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)
  • Parking Pass – Many stadiums recommend fans to pre-purchase parking passes if needed to help avoid the hassle and wait times associated with buying passes at the stadium. Click here to view the current prices of Tampa Bay Rays parking passes and tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
  • Weather Protection – Tropicana Field has a roof, so you won’t have to worry about facing the elements inside the stadium like you would at open-air stadiums. Still, depending on the weather forecast, things like hats and jackets may be needed for the walk to the stadium.
  • Camera – Some fans like to bring a camera into the game. Just make sure your camera meets the stadium requirements regarding cameras and video recorders.
  • Cashless Payment – Many stadiums are transitioning to cashless payments, so bringing a form of payment other than cash is never a bad idea.
  • Noise-Canceling Headphones – Stadiums can get very loud, and noise-canceling headphones may be needed for toddlers.
  • Baseball Glove – Some fans like to bring a baseball glove to the stadium in hopes of catching a foul ball.

Can You Bring a Bag Into Tropicana Field?

As an emphasis on security has increased in recent years, most stadiums have adjusted their bag policies. Many stadiums recommend using a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).

Clear stadium bags help with security at the gate, and not only make the stadium safer, but also help security lines move faster. But each stadium has its own safety guidelines, and may include certain exceptions. To read more, I would advise you to visit the Rays’ information guide.

Tampa Bay Rays Ticket Information

Can You Buy Tickets at Tropicana Field?

The Tampa Bay Rays ticket office no longer sells hard tickets at the stadium. The ticket office at the stadium is open on gameday for mobile ticket assistance only. Tickets can be purchased online through the team’s website as long as supplies last. You can also use ticket brokers like StubHub or Vivid Seats.

  • I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Tampa Bay Rays tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).

If you need mobile ticket assistance, the Rays will have ticket office associates ready to help you at the Gate 1 (view) and Gate 4 (view) ticket office windows. Gate 4 ticket office is near the homeplate entrance, and the Gate 1 ticket office is on the east side of the stadium.

To read more, visit our article about buying Tampa Bay Rays tickets at the stadium.

Tropicana Field Gate Information

Tropicana Field stadium gates usually open 90 minutes prior to game time, but it is important to understand that these gate times are subject to change. There are several stadium entrance gates located around the exterior of the stadium.

Depending on where you park, and where your seats are located, one entrance might make more sense for you than the others. To read about the location of each, and what parking garages make the most sense for you, visit our Tropicana Field Gate and Parking Guide.

Fans can enter early to watch batting practice once stadium gates open. For more information, visit our article about watching Tampa Bay Rays batting practice.

How Long Do Tampa Bay Rays Games Last?

You can expect a Tampa Bay Rays game to last slightly over three hours on average, but it is worth noting that some games can last closer to four hours depending on pace of play. In 2021, the average Major League Baseball game lasted 3 hours and 10 minutes (source).    

The length of games has become a point of emphasis for Major League Baseball as many fans site pace of play as one thing they’d like to see improve with the sport. In recent years, Major League Baseball has taken steps to help shorten the length of games, but the effectiveness of these measures is still under evaluation.

Major League Baseball games consist of nine total innings, with the exception of double header games which are only 7 total innings in length. If you are heading to Tropicana Field, planning for a 3-4 hour game is probably the safest bet. To read more, visit our article about the the average length of baseball games.

Buying Tampa Bay Rays Gear at the Stadium

Tropicana Field has several team stores inside the stadium. The main store is located near the centerfield gate 1 entrance, where you can buy Rays jerseys and other types of fan gear. You can, of course, also shop online prior to the game. To read more, visit our Tampa Bay Rays Jersey Guide.

Does Tropicana Field Accept Cash Inside the Stadium?

Tropicana Field does not accept cash inside the stadium (source). Payments for concessions and retail merchandise may be made using mobile payments or credit/debit cards. Other contactless forms of payment, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay are accepted.

Tampa Bay Rays Contact Info

This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Rays, MLB, or any of the events hosted at this facility.

Any information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, meaning much of this information is subject to change, and although we do our best to keep these guides updated, we can’t guarantee accuracy at all times. For all official information, we urge you to contact Tampa Bay Rays staff. Contact information is below:

Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Tampa Bay Rays tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).

Paul Johnson

Paul has been with us from our beginnings. He focuses on a wide range of sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB and golf.

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