Hurricane Milton made landfall in Siesta Key, Florida on October 10, 2024 as a Category 3 hurricane, causing significant damage to Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays. The domed roof of the stadium was ripped to shreds by the powerful winds, leaving the team to likely seek an alternate location to play for opening day next spring. This event highlights the vulnerability of sports stadiums to extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and storm surges.
Baseball stadiums across the country, including those of the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets, are at risk of increased insurance premiums and repair costs due to weather-related losses. A report by Climate X, a climate risk analysis company, projects that NFL stadiums could face $11 billion in climate-related losses by 2050. This poses significant economic challenges for stadiums that are increasingly being used for various events beyond sports.
The impact of changing weather patterns extends beyond hurricane winds and flooding. The Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix struggle with dangerous heat, while the Minnesota Vikings' Metrodome collapsed due to a massive snowstorm in 2010. The vulnerability of stadiums to climate hazards such as flooding, wildfires, and storm surges is a growing concern, as highlighted by the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
While some teams are taking steps to address climate change, such as running events on renewable energy, the need for adaptation measures is becoming increasingly urgent. The Climate X report ranks the vulnerability of NFL stadiums, with MetLife Stadium in New Jersey projected to face the biggest losses due to its low elevation and exposure to flooding and storm surge. As discussions continue about repairing Tropicana Field or building a new ballpark for the Rays, the impact of climate change on sports stadiums is a pressing issue that requires attention from state and local governments.