Two years after a Category 3 hurricane ripped the roof off Tropicana Field, the stadium is back in the spotlight as the site of World Series Game 3.
Key points
- Tropicana Field’s new roof is rated for 165 mph winds, allowing the stadium to host the World Series despite past hurricane damage.
- The 2026 World Series features two clubs—Brewers and Rays—without a championship, each poised for a potential first title.
- Both venues have roofs, so rain delays are not expected despite differing October climates in Milwaukee and Tampa.
The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays will meet for Game 3 of the 2026 World Series on Monday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, according to Weather.com. The game marks the first time the stadium has hosted a World Series since Hurricane Milton shredded its roof in October 2024.
Milton made landfall near Siesta Key on Oct. 9, 2024 as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of about 120 mph, ripping the original dome—rated for 115 mph gusts—off the ballpark. The damage forced the Rays to play the entire 2025 season at an outdoor venue in Tampa while Tropicana Field underwent a multimillion‑dollar restoration.
From devastation to the biggest stage
The renovated dome now features a new roof engineered to survive winds up to 165 mph, a substantial upgrade over the previous structure. The Rays returned to the upgraded facility in April 2026, and the stadium’s reinforced canopy is expected to keep rain and wind out of the series, mirroring the weather‑proof conditions at Milwaukee’s American Family Field, which has a retractable roof.
Both clubs are seeking their first championship. The Brewers last appeared in the Fall Classic in 1982, while the Rays fell short in 2008 and 2020. If either side wins, it will be the franchise’s inaugural World Series title, adding extra drama to a matchup played under a roof that survived a major hurricane.
Weather‑proofing the new dome
Beyond the baseball narrative, the contrast in climate between the two host cities is stark. Late‑October in Milwaukee brings cooler, drier air, whereas Tampa’s humidity makes temperatures feel muggy. Yet with both venues roofed, weather is unlikely to dictate the outcome of the games.
Reader questions
Why was Tropicana Field closed for the 2025 season?
The stadium’s roof was destroyed by Hurricane Milton in October 2024, leaving the interior exposed and requiring a full reconstruction that kept the Rays out for the 2025 season.
When did the Rays resume playing at Tropicana Field?
The Rays returned to the renovated Tropicana Field in April 2026 after the new roof was installed.
How does the new roof’s wind rating compare to the old one?
The original roof was rated for winds up to 115 mph; the replacement can withstand gusts of up to 165 mph.
Source: weather.com
