The Yankees’ minor-league stadium in Tampa could very well be the host of MLB playoff games.
Should the Tampa Bay Rays make the postseason, their home playoff games would take place at George M. Steinbrenner Field, according to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
The Rays are playing their home games this season at Steinbrenner Field, normally the home of the Yankees’ Single-A affiliate, because Tropicana Field suffered significant damage during Hurricane Milton.
“Our rule has always been that people play in their home stadiums during the World Series,” Manfred told the Tampa Bay Times on Tuesday.
“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.”
Steinbrenner Field, which is also the Yankees’ spring training facility, seats only 10,046 people.
The fourth-place Rays (50-47) are 5.5 games out of first place in the American League East and 1.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the third and final AL wild-card spot.
Tuesday’s decision came a day after The Athletic reported owner Stu Sternberg’s deal to sell the Rays for $1.7 billion to a contingent led by Patrick Zalupski could be completed by September.
The Rays are one of two MLB teams playing in a minor-league stadium this season, along with the A’s, who plan to call Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park home until their Las Vegas stadium is ready. That stadium is scheduled to open in 2028.
The A’s (41-57) are far less likely to make the playoffs this year, considering they are 11 games out of a wild-card spot and 16 games back in the AL West.
