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?”
đ Since 2020, the Bucs are 4-2 for winning seasons.
đ 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.
đ 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.
February 7th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
[It absolutely is true. Go ahead and click the link in the story and count for yourself. Sixth-oldest stadium in NFC. — Joe] Raymond James Stadium is the 11th. oldest stadium in the NFL. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t going anywhere. It’ll be either a renovation or a new stadium in Tampa.
February 7th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
lol at the absolute monkey brained goof that suggests baseball is âdying.â Shuddup you momo. The only reason why the nfl has better margins is because of its socialist business structure and it is also a league that benefits in a major MAJOR way from gambling. There pitchers that make more money than half of the entire NFL combined – baseball is doing just fine
February 7th, 2026 at 1:33 pm
Bucs won a SB in Ray Jay….. never get rid of it, renovation renovation renovation!
February 7th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Sell and move to Richmond VA
February 7th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
@ buccintimeforchanges Says: âNo corporate welfare. The rays arenât getting much money if any at all. Baseball is dying.â
Baseball isnât âdying.â You must be miserably uninformed on that, and donât know what youâre talking about. MLB Ratings are way waaaay up, and itâs popularity is growing FAST. You must have missed the HUGE contracts signed during this current offseason. Even, in College Baseball. Especially, in THE SEC. Almost EVERY SEC Team (and about every other Power-4 University, and other major baseball-schools) have invested HEAVILY into their programs. I mean, EVERYONE is playing in a brand new stadium right now, or have either completed or approved MAJOR renovations to their stadiums, and ALL of their facilities. Iâm talking Luxury Suites, Pitching Labs, Indoor Facilities, & EVERY FREAKING THING. You just name-it!
Excited and attendance could not be higher! Weekend series in the SEC will outdraw a lot of their programâs BASKETBALL GAMES. The SEC Tournament in Hoover last season SET A NEW RECORD (couldâve been the season before, since I think weather mightâve gottem last year). So, start paying ATTENTION. They are renovating and adding seats AGAIN, in Hoover. These stadiums are getting bigger and better and more state of the art, EVERYDAY.
MLB has made some mistakes with their tv-deal, & etc. But, theyâre KILLING-IT online and in gambling, fantasy, & etc. And, theyâre working it out with their tv-deal and theyâll get-it right! Itâs definitely NOT slowing them down ANY. Expansion is coming SOON.. As soon as Vegas and Tampa Bay can figure-out their new stadium situations, and gets something set in stone. Nashville and Salt Lake City are the front runners, with Charlotte having a shot. The Braves would hate-it, though! The Carolinaâs are baseball CRAZY. ALL their college teams are GREAT and there are a BUNCH of âem. Just off the top of my head⌠UNC, USC, Coastal, Clemson, SC Upstate, NC-State, Wake, Duke, East Carolina, West Carolina, Wilmington, UNC Greensboro, and Iâm sure Iâve left a couple others off. But, ALL have very nice stadiums PACKED FULL. Plus, many popular Minor League Clubs, including the Raysâ Durham Bulls. Probably, THE MOST Famous of them ALL.
So, I donât know what youâre talking about!? YOU just assumed, again. Cause, âBaseballâ is EXPLODING right now, probably at an all-time high. Look at ticket sales/prices. Go to a few âSpring Training Gamesâ (if you can even find at ticket in Clearwater or Tampa). Look at THOSE PRICES. LOOK at those jammed PACKED FANS. You mustâve been thinking about the NBA⌠Youâve gotten MLB confused with the NBA, or something else.
February 7th, 2026 at 7:23 pm
@ buccintimeforchanges – and, another thing⌠The Rays WILL GET public $$$$. Not as much as what THEY want, but itâll still be a BOATLOAD. Write-it Down. Just BOOK-IT. Theyâll get AT LEAST a âthirdâ of the $2-BIL+ but theyâre wanting more like half. And, if they donât get-it, then they might try for one last ditch effort in DT St. Pete. Before, they do eventually get what THEY WANT in Orlando. Itâs just as simple as that. It is what it is. And, itâs delusional to even THINK that Tampa will give them NOTHING. I mean, that just not even logical, or is how these things work.
February 7th, 2026 at 7:39 pm
The Lightning already got THEIR DEAL, and it is HUGE. But, they deserved it for what all they have meant to the entire area. We CANâT lose the Rays. It would fricking be catastrophic. Gotta get-it DONE. St. Pete has to have a state of the art DT stadium/arena, in order to host future major events, and to be considered a legit city! Period. And, this would be THE PERFECT timing for the Rowdies to make the jump to MLS. Thereâre only a very limited number of franchises left that are even available. MLS would LOVE to be back in the 11-Largest tv/Tampa Bay Market. They need to get-it done. A retractable roof would be perfect. They could host menâs and womenâs NCAA Tournament games. Hockey and Basketball Final-4âs, another Bowl Game, concerts, WWF/WWE, and on and one. You HAVE TO have a facility. If you donât, then WHAT are you doing!? I mean, EVERY city and downtown has a freaking STADIUM/Arena. Itâs a âHISTORICâ franchise and makes NO SENSE to not join MLS and have a Soccer Club. Orlando is already drawing from the Lakeland Metro, and mostly have it on lockdown. But, we have the Sarasota/Bradenton area over here, which is bigger and much better. Itâd make a great rivalry! The number of games and the schedule is growing⌠They would be a GREAT tenant to anchor it!!!! đŻ
February 7th, 2026 at 7:48 pm
The Lightning already got THEIR DEAL, and it is HUGE. But, they deserved it for what all they have meant to the entire area. We CANâT lose the Rays. It would fricking be catastrophic. Gotta get-it DONE. St. Pete has to have a state of the art DT stadium/arena, in order to host future major events, and to be considered a legit city! Period. And, this would be THE PERFECT timing for the Rowdies to make the jump to MLS. Thereâre only a very limited number of franchises left that are even available. MLS would LOVE to be back in the 11-Largest tv/Tampa Bay Market. They need to get-it done. A retractable roof would be perfect. They could host menâs and womenâs NCAA Tournament games. Hockey and Basketball Final-4âs, another Bowl Game, concerts, WWF/WWE, and on and one. You HAVE TO have a facility. If you donât, then WHAT are you doing!? I mean, EVERY city and downtown has a freaking STADIUM/Arena. Itâs a âHISTORICâ franchise and makes NO SENSE to not join MLS and have a Soccer Club. Orlando is already drawing from the Lakeland Metro, and mostly have it on lockdown. But, we have the Sarasota/Bradenton area over here, which is bigger and much better. Itâd make a great rivalry! The number of games and the schedule is growing⌠They would be a GREAT tenant to anchor it!!!!
February 7th, 2026 at 8:01 pm
If/when the Rays agree on Tampa, then St. Pete needs to go full-steam ahead on the Rowdies to MLS. Then, lure the Cincinnati Reds back to the area! A soccer club and a MLB spring training headquarters would be GREAT for the city! It would be AWESOME. Just Perfect. MLS stadiums/franchises have been a BOON to crumbling downtown districts in cities like St. Louis, Cincy, & ATL. Plus, many others. Those are just more of the recent ones. They have actually SAVED downtowns. Especially, in St. Louis. They are drawing HUGE crowds. The Rowdies are a HISTORIC U.S. franchise, and they DESERVE IT. St. Pete already has the perfect tenant set in place. USE-IT. Take Advantage. Keep yourself relevant and on the map. Orlando is spending a FORTUNE on Camping World Stadium, and with other stadium deals in the works. Tampa will be opening USFâs new stadium soon. St. Pete will be left out in the cold, while not being able to compete.
February 7th, 2026 at 8:34 pm
MLB has no salary cap. It is the worst of the 4 major sports in competitive balance. Until this past year…MLB was dying. They still have the oldest avg fan at 57 years old. It’s been climbing for a while. Sorry…that’s a fact. They made some inroads by overhauling the game with pitch timers, etc. Bottom line, unless they implement a HARD cap…I don’t want anything to do with them. I’m hardly alone in that regard. Baseball is headed for Armageddon.
The NFL works bc they pool all monies and GREEN BAY is equal to NY or LA
In baseball? Nope…we suck and the economics are unsustainable long term. Look at all the deferred salaries…it’s a joke.
@melvinjr – you will be disappointed in the Nashville Rays or Charlotte Rays. Hillsborough isn’t giving them more than the Bucs or Lightning. No one gives AF about baseball
February 7th, 2026 at 8:38 pm
Baseball is not at an all-time high…google it Melvin…there’s a great graph showing popularity over time and you can see when the NFL dusted MLB and how bad it has gotten as baseball fans age out.
Age out…you know what that means, right? You old?
February 7th, 2026 at 9:27 pm
So there is 10 teams in the nfc with an older stadium. All these people saying no tax dollars to build stadiums. Everybody has a right to their opinion but don’t complain when the rays and bucs move to another city. Don’t think they won’t because I can tell you from experience other cities and their taxpayers will be lining up to lure them away. Orlando Rays and Orlando Buccaneers has a nice ring to it. Don’t you think.
February 7th, 2026 at 9:45 pm
The Bucs aren’t going anywhere
The rays? WHO CARES?????
Baseball is broken. No cap, no money. Sorry bout ya. Good luck in Orlando
February 7th, 2026 at 10:03 pm
âWhoa, whoa, whoa! You people want me to spend money on a real head coach who isnât just a defensive coordinator, spend money to get Maxx, spend money to keep Mike, draft real football players, AND get a stadium remodel? You know dad makes us share our billions three ways, right? Thatâs not easy given our homes in London. We need to live! Winning and your fan experience are luxuries.â – Hugh
February 8th, 2026 at 6:32 am
I miss the Sombrero! Screw the New and Improved keep up with the Jones’ stuff. Just an excuse to price even more real football fans out of the stadium. Lets see if we can land the Rays a new home.
Go Bucs!
February 8th, 2026 at 8:51 am
Buccintime clearly gen zâer with the attention span of a hamster, doesnât understand or appreciate nuance. The kind of kid that finger bangs his phone playing pokemon during any sporting event yet considers himself a fan. Before you go mentioning the avg age of baseball fans as if it is solidifies your point – you may want to check the avg age of football fans pal, because itâs only a few years behind. Middle aged people with MONEY is what keeps these sports alive. DudeâŚ.your generation DOESNT EVEN PLAY SPORTS. Your generation is fat, stays inside and plays on their phone. The number of kids playing football is at an all time low, and it is not even close. Your generation is the reason football is becoming feminized and looking less and less like the sport it was supposed to be every year
February 8th, 2026 at 7:40 pm
Ray Jay is great.
Better believe there is a 1b renovation coming.
We have to keep up in the SB rotation.