The Tampa Bay Rays announced that a new Ballpark Experience Center will open at Westshore City Center in early 2027. Located at 1111 N. Westshore Blvd., the nearly 15,000‑square‑foot venue will sit just a few miles from the future stadium site and give fans a hands‑on look at the $2.3 billion ballpark and its surrounding mixed‑use district.
What the center will offer
About one‑third of the space will be open to the public. Visitors can explore team memorabilia, shop at a Rays store, and enjoy family‑friendly activities. Interactive exhibits will let fans walk through a digital rendering of the stadium campus, view seating angles, and even create personalized baseball cards. The remaining area will be reserved for appointment‑only tours aimed at potential season‑ticket holders and premium clients, allowing them to see seating configurations and group‑space layouts up close.
Design and construction details
The Rays signed a lease for roughly 9,000 sq ft on the first floor and about 6,000 sq ft on the second floor. The upper level will house 40 to 50 staff members focused on sales and marketing for the 2029 stadium. Design firm Advent partnered with architect Gensler to create the center, while Tampa‑based iConstructors will serve as general contractor. Property owner Ally Capital Group and management firm Franklin Street are overseeing the Westshore site. Construction on the center is slated to begin in October, with completion targeted for early 2027.
Rays leadership’s vision
Rays CEO Ken Babby said the center is intended to bring the future home to life for fans and partners. “The experience center will be like walking into the future,” Babby explained. “Fans and partners will be able to see it, feel it, hear it and experience it—from sitting in the seats or food and beverage locations they may choose, to exploring the clubhouse, to understanding the full journey of arriving at the ballpark and enjoying the district around it.”
Community impact
The project adds a new family‑friendly destination to the Westshore area, complementing existing retail and dining options. By offering a preview of the stadium district, the center aims to generate excitement and early ticket sales, supporting local businesses that will benefit from increased foot traffic once the ballpark opens. The Rays have not yet released operating hours or details on how to schedule the appointment‑only tours.
Next steps
While the Rays have confirmed the center’s location and design partners, they have not announced specific opening hours or the process for reserving tours. Fans are encouraged to watch for updates from the organization as construction progresses.
For more information, visit the official Tampa Bay Rays website or follow the team’s social media channels.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
