Rob Manfred Says Potential Rays Postseason Games Will Be Played at Steinbrenner Field

World Series games at Steinbrenner Field in October remain a possibility.

Asked by reporters on Tuesday before the All-Star Game about where the Tampa Bay Rays might play in the postseason if they make the field, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the league's position is to follow the rule that teams host games in their home stadium:

"Our rule has always been that people play in their home stadiums during the World Series. And I'm not of a mind to change that rule. I understand it's a unique situation. It's different, but that's where they're playing. That's where they're going to play their games."

With the Rays hanging around the playoff race in the American League, the organization has had discussions with MLB about potential host sites for postseason games.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported on June 25 that the Rays and MLB were engaged in "preliminary conversations" about playoff sites.

According to Rosenthal, Steinbrenner Field might "be viable" for the wild-card round and Division Series, but "logistical concerns" could force a move to a larger stadium if they were to reach the ALCS and World Series.

Maximum capacity at Steinbrenner Field is 10,046 fans, which Rosenthal noted could present several issues for the league. Among the concerns cited include the number of tickets available to league partners and stakeholders; reduced playoff revenue share for the players due to lower ticket revenues; and difficulties for broadcast partners to pull off a typical playoff-level production.

One issue for the Rays, though, would be giving up whatever home-field advantage they have at Steinbrenner Field in favor of a neutral-site location.

It's also possible this doesn't even become an issue that MLB has to worry about. The Rays, after a 33-22 record in May and June, entered the All-Star break having lost nine of their 12 games played so far this month. They are two games back in the loss column of the Seattle Mariners for the AL's final wild card spot.

Even if the Rays make the playoffs as the No. 2 or 3 wild card team, they wouldn't host a playoff game unless they advance to the Division Series.

The Rays are playing home games this season at Steinbrenner Field—the New York Yankees' spring training complex—while Tropicana Field undergoes repairs to roof damage caused by Hurricane Milton in October 2024.