Bucs Play In The Sixth-Oldest Stadium In NFC
February 7th, 2026
What about the Bucs?
With all the chatter about a potential new Rays crib just west of and across the street from The Licht House, Joe has to wonder what the conversations are like in the third-story boardroom at One Buc Palace as Team Glazer nurses glasses of Hennessy X.O.
Team Glazer has let out a whisper or two in recent years that over the horizon, something new will one day have to rise for the Bucs, which just celebrated their 50th season as Tampa’s NFL franchise. Obviously, no stadium lasts forever.
Probably a major gutting and rebuild of The Licht House would be a plan, Joe thinks, sort of like what Stephen Ross did to Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida.
Back in April, Bucs owner/co-chairman Joel Glazer was on record that the team plans a “massive renovation” of The Licht House. No details have ever been released.
Back in March 2025, Bret McCormick and Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal typed a long story on stadium/arena issues with Tampa Bay’s three major sports teams: Bucs, Rays and Lightning.
McCormick and Fischer seemed to conclude the Rays would eventually stay in Pinellas County because Hillsborough County/City of Tampa wouldn’t have the money to bankroll both a new Rays crib and a renovated Bucs stadium.
Joe got to thinking about this (again) when reading an article from Alex Kennedy of BSPN featuring the oldest stadiums in the NFL. Would you believe the Bucs have the sixth-oldest stadium in the NFC?
From 1976 through 1997, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers played their home games at Tampa Stadium (aka The Big Sombrero). However, it became clear that the Bucs needed an upgrade, and Raymond James Stadium opened in 1998. The USF Bulls also play their home games at Ray J, and the stadium has been the site of three Super Bowls (including Super Bowl LV, which the Buccaneers won, becoming the first team to win the Lombardi Trophy in their own stadium). Perhaps the most famous aspect of this stadium is the replica pirate ship in the north end zone.
So Team Glazer has been planning a renovation for the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway long before the Rays were even sold to a group fronted by real estate mogul Patrick Zalupski last summer. But did Zalupski and the Rays butt in line in front of Team Glazer for stadium financing with their splash of acquiring land from Hillsborough Community College for their project?
Team Glazer has always worked in the shadows and always strives to keep their business behind closed doors whenever possible. Did that long-held strategy backfire now that the Rays have grabbed the stadium headlines and momentum, along with very open, public support from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, for a new stadium and mixed-use entertainment complex right in the Bucs’ front yard?
Interesting times in Tampa.
February 7th, 2026 at 11:11 am
London England here we come!!!!
February 7th, 2026 at 11:13 am
No corporate welfare. The rays aren’t getting much money if any at all. Baseball is dying and the rays are just another feeder team.
The NFL is a $24 billion dollar business…they can pay for their own stadiums.
We don’t pay for Amazon’s warehouses…NO CORPORATE WELFARE.
Billionaires can afford to build their own stadiums.
February 7th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Glazers have money-pay the bill
February 7th, 2026 at 11:20 am
None of these billionaires deserve any kind of tax payers money. Let them spend their own money. Don’t place taxes on hotels, etc to build their stadium. I am tired of these billionaires ripping off tax payers to get richer. If they can’t afford a new stadium, sell the team
February 7th, 2026 at 11:21 am
Neither team should get any tax money to build a stadium. Though thats not how it works unfortunately. But if anyone thinks the rays would get anything before the bucs you are legitimately high. We are a football and hockey town first.. by a mile.
February 7th, 2026 at 11:23 am
Until they start filling the old stadium, there’s no need for a new one. Green Bay has played in the same stadium since before I was born. Until they need a new one, the Bucs sure don’t!
February 7th, 2026 at 11:26 am
As long as they spend their own money.
February 7th, 2026 at 11:44 am
WINNING changes minds. For example, If we were in this yrs superbowl, a whole lotta people would probably say, a new stadium is worth consideration. But being the losers we are, sticking with a losing coach, and owners who are afraid to pull triggers while watching their bottom line? A New stadium is out of the question.
February 7th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Why build a new stadium to be filled with visiting fans just to watch the Bucs lose more than they win?
February 7th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Asking for the Glazers to pay for the whole thing is completely unrealistic.
Just putting that out there.
But since they’ve announced a major renovation, we don’t have to worry about a new stadium any time soon.
After saying that…if they get a quality dome stadium down the road, it would probably boost ticket sales…especially considering the storms we get during the season.
February 7th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Bee Says
“Why build a new stadium to be filled with visiting fans just to watch the Bucs lose more than they win?”
🏈 Since 2020, the Bucs are 4-2 for winning seasons.
🏈 Part of the reason local fans do not go as much is comfort. People from out of town don’t worry about that as much.
🏈 Weather is a major consideration for local fans. Out of towners make their plans and come regardless.
A new stadium, especially a dome, would increase local attendance.
February 7th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
For what it is worth…the Glazers have contributed huge amounts of money to building and renovations in the past. Out of pocket.
February 7th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
I understand the Glazers want to milk even more money out of fans with a new or highly remodeled stadium, but the existing one is great. They have invested in some upgrades, like the video jumbotrons (which are awesome), but rest of the stadium seems perfectly fine. You got to love a stadium with a pirate sheep and palm trees. I have had my season tickets in section 218 since the stadium opened in 1998 and I am in the shade the entire season. The only upgrade I see that is necessary is (for those poor souls who are not in the shade) is a roof like they have a hard rock stadium.