MLB spring training returns for another year in Florida, with baseball fans bound for Port Charlotte to see what the Tampa Bay Rays have in store for the 2026 season.
The Rays come to Charlotte Sports Park after a 77-85 campaign in 2025, their second straight year missing the playoffs after the longest string of success in franchise history. Tampa played their home games at Steinbrenner Field, the spring home of the AL East rival New York Yankees, but Tropicana Field is up and running 18 months after getting wrecked by Hurricane Milton. They’ve also secured their future with a new stadium planned near Hillsborough College.
Under manager Kevin Cash, the Rays will look to return to playoff contention as they prepare to send off the Trop. Junior Caminero emerged as the team’s centerpiece, finishing ninth in AL MVP voting after hitting 45 home runs and 110 RBIs at just 21 years old. He’ll look to be bolstered by Yandy Diaz and newcomers Gavin Lux and Cedric Mullins, while Drew Rasmussen and Shane McClanahan leading the pitching staff.
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Tampa Bay will play 32 games over the next month of the preseason, with 14 coming in Port Charlotte. The whole squad won’t be around for the full stretch as some will head out to play for their national teams in March as part of the World Baseball Classic. The Rays will host a WBC warmup against the Netherlands in addition to their standard slate of exhibition games against MLB opponents to get ready for Opening Day.
Here’s what to know about Rays spring training, including the complete home schedule and how to buy tickets.
Rays spring training location
The Rays host spring training at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida. It was built in 1987, and Tampa Bay has played spring games there since 2009. The stadium has a seating capacity of 7,670.
Rays spring training schedule
Here’s a look at the Rays’ spring training games at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte. All times Eastern.
Saturday, Feb. 21: vs. Atlanta | 1:05 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 23: vs. Boston | 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 24: vs. Minnesota | 1:05 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 27: vs. Toronto | 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28: vs. Detroit | 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 3: vs. Philadelphia (split squad) | 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 4: vs. Netherlands | 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 5: vs. Baltimore | 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 8: vs. Atlanta | 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10: vs. Minnesota | 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 15: vs. Pittsburgh | 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 17: vs. NY Yankees | 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 20: vs. Boston | 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 21: vs. Minnesota | 1:05 p.m.
Rays spring training tickets
Tickets for the 2026 spring training opener between the Rays and Braves are available on StubHub for $18 on the berm and $27 for seats as of Feb. 18. Fans can also buy tickets on the official Rays website.
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