SportsQuest
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ALCS Game 2, Tue, Oct 13, 8:00 PM local on TBS

Cleveland Guardiansat Tampa Bay Rays

Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg. Fly into TPA.

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Tickets on Ticket Squeeze

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What we know about Tropicana Field

Where visiting fans stay

Checked at the source
  • Downtown St. Petersburg. 10 min by transit. The Rays list downtown hotels such as the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, Hyatt Place Downtown and Staybridge Suites Downtown. The free Baseball Shuttle picks up on 2nd Street South and runs from three hours before first pitch to two hours after the game.
  • EDGE and Grand Central Districts. 5-15 min by walk. These Central Avenue blocks put you closest to the ballpark and the pregame bars. Lodging here is mostly short-term rentals and small inns, so book early.
  • St. Pete Beach. 35 min by transit. Stay on the Gulf and ride the SunRunner bus up Central Avenue to the stop on the north side of the ballpark. Check the last bus time before a late game.
  • Downtown Tampa or Westshore. 35-60 min by drive. Many more rooms and close to TPA, but you cross the bay both ways. Buy prepaid parking or use a rideshare.

Around the stadium

From a specialist guide
The EDGE District runs along Central Avenue just north of the ballpark, with Ferg's Sports Bar directly across the street and Green Bench Brewing a few blocks away. There are few hotels here, so most fans sleep in downtown St. Petersburg about 1.5 miles east and walk or ride the free Baseball Shuttle.

Getting in from the airport

From a specialist guide
TPA (Tampa International). It sits about 20 miles north of the ballpark by I-275 South across the Howard Frankland Bridge, then I-175 East. Allow 25 minutes with no traffic and 45 minutes or more at evening rush.

Getting to the stadium

Checked at the source
Baseball Shuttle (Downtown Looper), about 10 min. 16th Street, just south of 3rd Avenue South. SunRunner bus rapid transit, about 15 min. Stop on the north side of Tropicana Field. Drive from Tampa on I-275 South, about 40 min. Rays Lots 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, or SouthCore and Central garages downtown. Rideshare, about 15 min. Lot 8 for Gate 1, or Tropicana Drive on 16th Street South for Gates 4 and 5.

Tailgating

Checked at the source
Tailgating is allowed once the lots open. Keep chairs and sunshades out of parking aisles and other spaces. Alcohol is fine at your car but never inside the ballpark. No big tents, fire pits, charcoal grills or large commercial grills. You need a prepaid parking pass to tailgate in Rays lots in October. There are no drive-up sales.

Getting in

Checked at the source
  • Bag policy: Clear bags only, one per person, no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches. One small clutch, wallet or fanny pack up to 5 x 7 inches is also allowed. Hard-sided coolers are not allowed.
  • Cashless: Tropicana Field is cash-free, including parking. Reverse ATMs that turn cash into a card are across from the Gate 3 Guest Services desk and in the Third Base Food Hall.

Touring the stadium

Checked at the source
About 75 to 90 minutes, starting at Gate 1. Tickets are sold online only, same day if space remains, and include parking in Lot 7. Air conditioning is off during tours. Email [email protected] with questions. Starts at Gate 4, needs a game ticket and must be bought in advance. Includes a stop in the RaysVision control room and a batting practice ball. Book at least 14 days ahead through the form on the Rays tours page.

After the final whistle

From a specialist guide
Leaving the lots onto I-175 and I-275 is slow after a sellout, worst for fans heading back to Tampa. The free Baseball Shuttle runs until two hours after the game, so fans staying downtown can ride it back. SunRunner buses run every 30 minutes after 8 p.m. To beat the crowd, walk to a Central Avenue bar and let traffic clear.

One thing to avoid

From a specialist guide
Driving up and expecting to buy parking at the gate. Postseason parking is prepaid only, with no drive-up sales, so buy a pass in the MLB Ballpark app or plan on a downtown garage and the free shuttle.

Bars near the stadium

Checked at the source

  • Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill

    1320 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33705

    Ferg's sits across the street from the ballpark and spreads over nearly two city blocks of bars and patios. It is the main Rays gathering spot before and after games.

    Away fans: a Rays crowd, but used to big groups of visiting fans. Expect ribbing, not trouble.

  • Green Bench BrewingBefore or after

    1133 Baum Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705

    A beer garden and tasting room in the EDGE District, close enough to walk to the gates. It is a good spot to meet friends before first pitch.

    Away fans: a relaxed brewery crowd. Away colors draw no notice.

  • 3 Daughters BrewingBefore or after

    222 22nd St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

    A large brewery taproom west of the ballpark with live music and events. The brewery says you can park free and walk to Tropicana Field.

    Away fans: a big, mixed warehouse crowd. Visiting fans fit right in.

  • Cage BrewingBefore or after

    2001 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

    A Grand Central District brewery with pizza from Kraken Joe's kitchen on site. Bands play most nights.

    Away fans: a neighborhood brewery crowd. No team edge.

Sidequests in St. Petersburg

Listed in the order they happen. Each one earns points.

  1. Outing40 points

    Walk the St. Pete Pier

    The Pier District is free to enter and runs out into Tampa Bay with a small beach, a splash pad and several bars. Go at sunset before a night game.

    Free. 4 hours before kickoff

  2. Tailgate50 points

    Tailgate in the Rays lots

    Tailgating is allowed once the lots open, with small grills only and no charcoal or open flames. In October you need a prepaid pass, so buy it with your ticket.

    $$. 3 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  3. Drink40 points

    Pregame at Ferg's

    Ferg's is the Rays' main gathering spot, right across the street from the ballpark. Start here, then walk to the gates with the crowd.

    $$. 3 hours before kickoff

  4. Ritual50 points

    Say hi to the rays in the Cownose Clubhouse

    A 35-foot, 10,000-gallon ray tank sits just past the right-center field wall. Get there right after gates open to watch the rays before the crowd stacks up.

    Free. 2 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  5. Drink30 points

    Beer garden at Green Bench Brewing

    A local beer garden a short walk from the gates in the EDGE District. It is a calmer pregame than the sports bars.

    $. 2 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  6. Eat40 points

    Cuban sandwich at Cubanos

    Tampa Bay is the home of the Cuban sandwich, and the ballpark serves one at the Cubanos stand. Try the Cubano Dog if you want the ballpark twist.

    $. 1 hour before kickoff

  7. Photo25 points

    Meet Raymond and DJ Kitty

    The Rays mascots appear at the Gate 1 Rotunda 30 minutes before first pitch at every game. It is a quick photo with the two oddest mascots in baseball.

    Free. 30 minutes before kickoff

  8. Tour50 points

    Tour Tropicana Field

    The public tour goes behind the scenes and down near the field on non-game days. It runs 75 to 90 minutes and includes parking in Lot 7.

    $$

  9. Landmark50 points

    The Dali Museum

    The Dali Museum shows the work of Salvador Dali in a glass-bubble building on the downtown waterfront, 1.3 miles from the ballpark. Buy tickets ahead. It is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Thursdays until 8 p.m.

    $$

  10. Outing30 points

    Sunken Gardens

    A historic botanical garden in the middle of the city, open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4:30 p.m. Last admission is at 4 p.m.

    $

  11. Outing40 points

    Friday night shuffleboard

    The St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club opens its courts to the public on Friday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. for $10 a person. It is a cheap, local night out on a non-game evening.

    $

  12. Eat50 points

    Smoked mullet at Ted Peters

    Ted Peters has smoked fish over wood for more than 70 years, and smoked mullet is the dish to order. It closes on Tuesdays, so call ahead to check hours.

    $

  13. Eat45 points

    Dinner at the Columbia in Ybor City

    The Columbia has served Spanish and Cuban food in Tampa's Ybor City since 1905 and calls itself Florida's oldest restaurant. Stop on a Tampa day before or after the series.

    $$$

Seats and views

Where each part of Tropicana Field sits, and what you see from it.

Fans post the view from their seats, section by section. See the views at Tropicana Field