Rays Shift Game Times to Avoid NFL Conflicts as Stadium Repairs Continue at Temporary Home

The Tampa Bay Rays have announced adjustments to their home game schedule to prevent conflicts with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. These changes impact their series against the St. Louis Cardinals as well as a game against the Boston Red Sox. The goal is to ensure that games don’t overlap with the Buccaneers’ events, which take place nearby.

Specifically, the Cardinals-Rays game originally scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, has been moved up to 7:35 p.m. on Thursday, August 21. This change helps avoid a direct clash with the Buccaneers’ preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, which happens right across the street. Meanwhile, the Rays’ game against the Red Sox on Sunday, September 21, has been pushed from a 12:10 p.m. start to 7:35 p.m. that evening, preventing an overlap with the Buccaneers’ 1 p.m. home opener against the New York Jets.

Rays Shift Game Times to Avoid NFL Conflicts as Stadium Repairs Continue at Temporary Home
Rays Shift Game Times to Avoid NFL Conflicts as Stadium Repairs Continue at Temporary Home

Flexible Ticket Exchange Policy Supports Fans Amid Temporary Stadium Relocation

Ticket holders are able to use their original tickets for the new game dates or exchange them for tickets to another regular-season home game in 2025. This policy offers fans flexibility and helps maintain attendance despite the rescheduling. The Rays are making these changes while they continue to play their home games away from their usual stadium.

Due to hurricane damage to their home stadium, the Rays are currently playing their home games at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ spring training complex. Repairs on their stadium are still underway, so this temporary location arrangement remains in place as they adjust their schedule to accommodate other local sports events.