Updated October 2026 · By Danny Nappi, Tampa Bay local and founder of Vacation Florida
The Rays are back at Tropicana Field in 2026 after a season at Steinbrenner Field while the Trop’s hurricane-damaged roof was replaced. If you’re heading to a game, where you stay matters: the Trop sits on the west edge of downtown St. Petersburg, and the hotels within walking distance go fast on big weekends. Here’s where to stay, from steps-from-the-gate hotels to downtown favorites and a budget option.
The Short Answer
The closest hotels to Tropicana Field are Tru by Hilton St. Petersburg Downtown and Moxy St. Petersburg Downtown, both about 0.2 miles away on Central Avenue. For a walkable downtown base with restaurants and the waterfront, stay near Beach Drive (about 1 mile, a 20–25 minute walk or a quick SunRunner ride). Stay in St. Pete, not Tampa: the Trop is across the bay, and game-day traffic on the bridges adds up fast.
Danny’s Pick: Where to Stay
The Inn on Third — I’ve stayed here. It’s an older hotel, but it was clean, enjoyable and the location is fantastic. It’s in the heart of downtown St. Pete, a little over a mile from the Trop, and the inn includes breakfast and an evening happy hour.
Rays World Series 2026: Planning a Trip to the Trop
The Rays are in the World Series! They clinched the American League pennant at Tropicana Field on October 19 and now face the Milwaukee Brewers. Games 1 and 2 are in Milwaukee on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24. The series comes to the Trop for Game 3 on Monday, October 26 and Game 4 on Tuesday, October 27, plus Game 5 on Wednesday, October 28 if needed, all at 8 p.m. If it goes six or seven games, those are back in Milwaukee. Downtown St. Pete hotels will sell out for the home games, so book a refundable room now.
- Tickets: Buy through the official Rays postseason ticket page. Resale get-in prices for the home games were running about $900 to $1,000+ as of October 19.
- No tickets? Watch at the Trop: For the ALCS road games, the Rays opened Tropicana Field for watch parties on the giant videoboard, from $8 with $5 prepaid parking. Check the Rays postseason page for World Series Games 1 and 2 watch parties.
- Parking: Postseason parking at the Trop is prepaid only, with no drive-up sales. Buy your pass before game day.
- Getting there without a car: The SunRunner stops on the north side of the Trop, and rideshare drop-off is at Gate 4.
Hotels Near Tropicana Field at a Glance
| Hotel | Distance to the Trop | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tru by Hilton Downtown | 0.2 mi (walk) | $–$$ | Closest, free breakfast |
| Moxy Downtown | 0.2 mi (walk) | $$ | Rooftop pool and bar |
| Mint House Downtown | 0.3 mi (walk) | $$ | Kitchens, longer stays |
| Staybridge Suites Downtown | 0.4 mi (walk) | $$ | Families, free shuttle |
| The Inn on Third | ~1.1 mi | $$ | Danny’s pick, downtown charm |
| Hollander Hotel | ~1.1 mi | $$–$$$ | Boutique downtown |
| Hyatt Place Downtown | ~1.2 mi | $$–$$$ | Near the waterfront |
| Hilton Bayfront | ~1.2 mi | $$$ | Full-service, bay views |
| The Vinoy | ~1.6 mi | $$$$ | Splurge |
| Days Inn Central | ~1.9 mi | $ | Budget, driving in |
Closest Hotels to Tropicana Field (Walkable)
Tru by Hilton St. Petersburg Downtown Central Ave
Distance: About 0.2 miles · Price: $–$$
The closest hotel to the Trop and one of the best values downtown. Rooms are modern and simple, breakfast is free, and you can walk to the gates in minutes. Parking is valet-only, so factor that in if you are driving.
👉 Check rates at Tru by Hilton St. Petersburg Downtown Central Ave
Moxy St. Petersburg Downtown
Distance: About 0.2 miles · Price: $$
A younger, social pick in the EDGE District with a rooftop pool and the Sparrow rooftop bar. Great for groups who want pre-game drinks and a short walk to the stadium.
👉 Check rates at Moxy St. Petersburg Downtown
Mint House St. Petersburg Downtown
Distance: About 0.3 miles · Price: $$
Apartment-style studios with kitchens and a rooftop pool. A smart choice for a long weekend or a playoff series when you want space to spread out.
👉 Check rates at Mint House St. Petersburg Downtown
Staybridge Suites St. Petersburg Downtown
Distance: About 0.4 miles · Price: $$
Suites with full kitchens and a free shuttle within three miles, which covers the Trop and most of downtown. A strong pick for families.
👉 Check rates at Staybridge Suites St. Petersburg Downtown
Best Downtown St. Pete Hotels for Rays Fans
Staying closer to Beach Drive puts you about a mile from the Trop, in the middle of downtown’s restaurants, the waterfront and the St. Pete Pier. It’s a 20–25 minute walk to the game or a short ride on the SunRunner.
The Inn on Third
Distance: About 1.1 miles · Price: $$
My pick. A small, family-run downtown inn with the feel of a bed and breakfast, free continental breakfast and an evening happy hour. It is an older property, but I found it clean and the location is hard to beat.
👉 Check rates at The Inn on Third
The Hollander Hotel
Distance: About 1.1 miles · Price: $$–$$$
A highly rated boutique hotel on the north side of downtown, close to the restaurants on Central Avenue and Beach Drive.
👉 Check rates at The Hollander Hotel
Hyatt Place St. Petersburg/Downtown
Distance: About 1.2 miles · Price: $$–$$$
A reliable chain option steps from the waterfront, with easy access to downtown dining before or after the game.
👉 Check rates at Hyatt Place St. Petersburg/Downtown
Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
Distance: About 1.2 miles · Price: $$$
A large full-service hotel on the bay. Good for groups and anyone who wants a pool, a restaurant on site and bay views.
👉 Check rates at Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
Splurge and Budget Picks
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection
Distance: About 1.6 miles · Price: $$$$
St. Pete’s historic pink landmark on the waterfront. Make a weekend of it: the game one night, a resort day the next.
👉 Check rates at The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection
Days Inn by Wyndham St. Petersburg Central
Distance: About 1.9 miles · Price: $
A no-frills budget option on 34th Street N, convenient if you are driving in from I-275.
👉 Check rates at Days Inn by Wyndham St. Petersburg Central
Want to compare everything near the stadium? See all hotels near Tropicana Field.
How to Get to Tropicana Field
- Walk: Hotels on Central Avenue and in the EDGE District are a 5–10 minute walk. Beach Drive hotels are about 20–25 minutes.
- SunRunner: The bus rapid transit line stops on the north side of the Trop. It runs every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., then every 30 minutes until midnight.
- Rideshare: Drop-off is at Gate 4. Expect surge pricing right after the final out, so walk a few blocks before requesting a ride.
- Parking: Lots 6 and 7 are general parking, and Lot 7 has most of the accessible spaces. The SouthCore garage (101 1st Ave S) and Central garage (1388 1st Ave N) handle overflow. During the postseason, parking is prepaid only.
Where to Eat and Drink Near the Trop
- Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill: The classic pre-game spot on Central Avenue, a short walk from the stadium.
- Green Bench Brewing: St. Pete’s pioneer craft brewery with a big lawn and patio. Closed Mondays.
- 3 Daughters Brewing: Games and live music a few blocks south of the Trop.
- The Cage: A retro open-air bar with pinball.
- Pinellas Ale Works: A dog-friendly brewery known for its peanut butter stout.
Making a weekend of it? Check out our St. Petersburg itinerary, compare Clearwater Beach vs St. Pete Beach, or heading to a Bucs game too? See our guide to hotels near Raymond James Stadium.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest hotel to Tropicana Field?
Tru by Hilton St. Petersburg Downtown and Moxy St. Petersburg Downtown are the closest, both about 0.2 miles from the stadium on the Central Avenue side.
Can you walk to Tropicana Field from downtown St. Pete?
Yes. Hotels near Beach Drive and the waterfront are about a mile away, a 20–25 minute walk. The SunRunner also stops on the north side of the Trop.
Where do the Rays play in 2026?
The Rays are back at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg in 2026 after playing the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa while the Trop’s roof was replaced.
How does parking work for Rays playoff games?
Postseason parking at Tropicana Field is prepaid only, with no drive-up sales. Buy a parking pass ahead of time or take the SunRunner or a rideshare.
Should I stay in Tampa or St. Pete for a Rays game?
Stay in St. Pete. Tropicana Field is in downtown St. Petersburg, and crossing the bay from Tampa on game day can add a lot of traffic time.
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