The boys are back in town, and first pitch is right around the corner. The Tampa Bay Rays officially begin the 2024 campaign this week, and this season’s lineup is packed full of themed games, concerts, giveaways, new food and more.
Opening Day this Thursday is already sold out, but tickets are available for every other home game on the schedule, and there are more reasons than ever to get in on the action. Even over the rest of the opening weekend, there is plenty to attract a crowd, with the Rays wearing throwback Devil Rays on March 29 (and every Friday at home this season), while the first 12,000 fans in the game on Sunday, March 31 against the Toronto Blue Jays will get a replica Jose Siri chain necklace courtesy of DEX Imaging.
Check out the full schedule here – we’re already eyeing Star Wars Day in May as a must-visit. Individual game tickets are available here. And don’t forget: $10 tickets are offered for all regular season home games during the 2024 season, based on availability. More themed games and giveaways include a Randy Arozarena luchador mask giveaway, Harry Potter night, a Rays cowboy hat giveaway, a Boy and Girl Scouts Day, a Pride jersey giveaway, and much more.
As you’re looking through schedule (and if you’re trying to convince your friend who doesn’t love baseball to come to a game), be on the lookout for the Rays summer postgame concert series. Every concert is free to attend with a game ticket, with the shows taking place on the field after the game. The Rays have announced that Jimmy Eat World will play July 26, Riley Green will play August 10, and T-Pain will take the stage on August 16.
And as the organization enters its 26th season, the Rays Hall of Fame is growing, as it honors the legends of the last two and a half decades. Longtime Rays Radio Broadcaster Dave Wills will be posthumously inducted into the Rays Hall of Fame on April 14, accompanied by a Dave Wills Tropical Shirt giveaway presented by Crown Automotive Group for the first 12,000 fans that day. Former Rays first baseman and MLB Hall of Famer Fred McGriff will be inducted on September 1, accompanied by a bobblehead giveaway of his likeness presented by DEX Imaging for the first 12,000 fans.
Korean corn dogs, pretzel pork Reubens highlight new concessions
Meanwhile, be on the lookout for an incredible new lineup of concession items at The Trop this year. Last year’s breakout smash hit, the footlong pretzel dog, is back for year two, and with it is coming an entire pretzel-themed food stand. Another big announcement this year is the introduction of gluten-free lineup of ballpark favorites, available at several individual food stands, as well as two dedicated “Gluten-Free Favorites” stands.
There are also going to be two locations for “Cookie Fueled Mama,” a cookie and dessert concept new to The Trop, and a full Chicken Salad Chick location.
Creative new food items at Tropicana Field this year:
- Short Rib Cheesesteak – available at Melted
- Everything Pretzel Bites – available at Twisted
- Short Rib Nachos – available at Melted
- Korean Corn Dog – available at Pig & Potato
- Sweet Pretzel Bites – available at Twisted
- Pretzel Pork Reuben – available at Pig & Potato
- Smash Burger – available at Central Burger and Gluten-Free Favorites
- Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders and Fries – available at Modern Bird, Bird & Batter, and Gluten-Free Favorites
New beverages at Tropicana Field this year:
- Viva Tequila Seltzer
- Daiquiri Deck
- Vino Ghivino 21 Wines
- Superbird Tequila
- New Belgium Craft Beer
Tropicana Field is ranked in the top five of all concessions throughout the MLB, and the continued innovation is a good indicator as to why the ballpark consistently ranks so high. In fact, their offerings are so good that they’ll even feed you after you leave the stadium. The Rays announced a deal with Culver’s where fans can get a free order of their famous cheese curds any time the Rays score a run in the third inning. It’s a cheesy deal, and we love it.
Get single-game or season tickets to see the Tampa Bay Rays here.
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