Seating at Tropicana Field
While Tropicana Field isn’t much to look at outside, once you get inside, it’s a perfectly fine place to watch a ballgame. But it’s an old dome, and was built with its fair share of quirks and oddities. The Rays have done an admirable job of trying to keep it current, but we’ve got plenty of tips to help you figure out the best seat for your visit.
Unlike a lot of ballparks, the Rays don’t have a terribly confusing seating chart, which we really appreciate. In fact, with the exception of some premium seating areas, they don’t make much differentiation between seating zones at all. So we’ve broken down your available options into 12 groups.
Reserved Seating
Bars & SRO Areas w/Field Views
Suites & Group Only
Our favorite seats
Chalk Box
With big leather seats and a mini side table, it’s like watching the game from your living room at home (albeit with 10x more expensive beer).
100 Level Infield
Good seats here just aren’t that expensive, so might as well take advantage if you’re coming from a pricier market.
Centerfield Deck
It’s often rented to groups, but if not, it’s a great outfield spot to watch the game from thanks to the view—and it doesn’t require a ticket!
Our least favorite seats
100 Level Rear Areas
The upper parts of sections 107-131 (odd) are buried under the 200 level overhang, are too dark, and have too many obstructions.
100 Level Corners
While some seats are better than others, the foul poles get in the way, and there are just too many other places to sit to risk a bad view here.
300 Level
They only open the 300 level in the outfield, and it’s so far away from the action that you might as well be in Tallahassee.
100 Level
First things first: with the exception of the Dex Imaging Home Plate Club (right behind home plate), the AeroVanti Club (rows PP-TT of sections 106-126), the Chalk Boxes (field level in sections 122-126), and the Fieldside Boxes (first couple of rows in Sections 101-126), there are few differences between the rest of the seats in the 100 level, other than their distance to home plate and their distance to the field. There are no metal bleachers in the 100 level—every seat is an actual seat. So when you’re shopping for a lower level seat, you are primarily choosing between location and price.
100 Level Baselines (Sections 101-127, 102-128)
These are the seats you’re most likely to be shopping for at The Trop, since they make up the overwhelming majority of your options since most of the 300 level is rarely open.
The Trop is one of those ballparks that has a split lower level, like Camden Yards and Busch Stadium. That means there’s two seating “tiers” that have the same section number: a front part that is right at field level, and a rear part that is above a walkway that splits the front part from the rear part.
The front part of these sections are about 30-33 rows deep, and run from single letters (starting anywhere from Row A to K, depending on the section) through JJ in most sections. These sections are directly at field level.
Behind these seats is a walkway, and above that walkway is the rear part of the lower level, which runs from Rows PP-XX in Odd Sections 107-131 and most of the Even Sections 128-132. (Even numbered sections 106-126, Rows PP-TT are AeroVanti Club seats, which we will discuss below.)
The walkway is about four rows wide, so we’d say that the last row in these rear sections is about 45 rows from the field, which is the same distance as many other stadiums that don’t break up their lower levels into front and rear segments.
The lower parts of these sections are pretty straightforward. You’re really just looking for the best seats that you can find that fit your budget. There’s no real tricks or things to look out for.
But in the rear sections, we would offer several warnings, detailed below.
The stairs to enter these sections cross in front of Row PP and QQ, so every time someone enters or leaves the section, they’ll walk across your line of sight. And since that’s happening constantly, we don’t think you’ll enjoy that experience.
After row RR, the seats in these sections are buried underneath the 200 level overhang, which makes them dark and tomblike. The dome is dark to begin with, but to then sit in a seat where the house lights aren’t shining… we really don’t like it.
So our bottom line is this: we would recommend against sitting in any of the rear lower level sections (we’ll discuss the AeroVanti Club separately below). You will be better off in the last row of the front sections (row JJ) than the front row of the rear sections (PP). If there’s a price difference, we say spend the extra money to upgrade. Alternatively, before we’d sit in the upper 100s, we’d recommend sitting in the 100 level outfield or the 200 level infield.
100 Level Corners (Sections 129-138)
These are also not favorites of ours, as you are far from the action and, in the case of 137-138, a foul pole may distract you from the game depending on which seats you’re sitting in. You’re also farther from the restrooms and concessions here than anywhere else in the park. If the price for these seats was lower than other areas, it might make up for the irritations, but it isn’t.
100 Level – Left and Right Fields (Sections 139-150)
We like the outfield seats at the Trop—though it depends on where specifically you are sitting. You get nice views of the field here, and these are your quickest paths to restrooms and concessions in the 100 level. We also like the outfield seats because they are the closest to the Center Field Food Hall, where our favorite concessions are, and the Rays Touch Tank, one of the most unusual features you’ll find in a Major League Baseball park.
Insider tips for 100 Level – Left and Right Field
The video scoreboard is behind right field, so if you are in any of the right field sections (140-150, even numbers), you won’t be able to see it.
Because of the Centerfield Deck and Budweisier Patio, seats in Section 149 (barring the front row or two) won’t be able to see centerfield or right field.
Seats in the top rows and closest to center field in Section 150 offer a view of the Rays Touch Tank… but you’ll also not be able to see center or left field.
Bringing kids? We recommend the right field outfield seats: it’s close to the Rays Touch Tank and the right field concourse has art, mascot statues, a tree house, games, activities, and concessions—all geared towards kids.
Section 144 is where “Cowbell Max” sits. Years back, the scoreboard operators played SNL’s “Need More Cowbell” skit before permissions were revoked. But Cowbell Max and other fans still keep “cowbell fever” alive.
Friday night games: tickets to Sections 141 and 143, named “Randy Land” after LF Randy Arozarena, get you a seat and an Arozarena T-shirt. And if he hits a home run, everyone in 141/143 gets their choice of a free beer or soft drink.
200 Level Baselines (Sections 203-224)
The 200 Level is another seating area we really like. Yes, it’s higher than the 100 Level, but it definitely doesn’t feel THAT much different, and especially not as much as the difference between the 200 Level and the 300 Level. Every seat in the 200 Level has a clear sight of the entire field and tickets can sometimes be only $10-$15 more than 100 Level outfield seats. The 200 Level is also home to most of the stadium’s suites, so the concourses are beautiful, with carpeted floors and smaller lines for concessions and restrooms.
The only knock on the 200 Level is you have to trek to the 100 Level to get the full array of concession options and the stadium’s amenities, and given the maze-like construction of the Trop, that is more challenging than you might think.
TSI TIP: If you choose the 200 level, you might want to get your food before going to your seat. Then you’ll just need your beverages during the game, which are easier to come by up there than food is.
300 Level Outfield (Sections 341-355)
We don’t recommend the 300 Level unless its unique amenities, er, challenges appeal to you, or if you just want a cheap ticket to get in the door and plan to find a standing-room-only spot to watch the game.
First, keep in mind that the only sections of the 300 level that are open for regular-season games are Sections 341-355 over left field. The Rays have long since closed the rest of the upper level because, well, there aren’t enough ticket buyers to need it.
The sections that are open are where you’ll find the available $10 tickets, though not every ticket in the 300 Level is $10, and the views from up there really make you feel detached from the game. Furthermore, with the exception of accessible seating, all of the seats in these sections are metal bleachers. It has its charm, and if you have a large group that wants to easily sit together, it can serve a function, but otherwise, you’re probably not going to like it here. The Rays have tried to spiff up the 300 Level by designing it to look like Tampa’s historic entertainment district Ybor City, so it is a unique spot for that reason.
But the real killers for the 300 Level are sparse concession options and… pay close attention… you have to exit the ballpark behind the lower level outfield and climb the exterior ramp to get to these sections.
Yes, there’s one manned elevator around the corner from Section 133 that is almost hidden, but even if you’re able to find it, you’ll also likely experience a wait, especially just before or just after the game. But other than that, your only other option is to climb the circular ramps outside of the stadium. Not only is it a workout that you may not be looking for, but Florida’s sticky summer heat doesn’t help matters either. And once you make it to your seats, if you want to go back down to explore the rest of the stadium, you again have to take the ramps or wait for the elevator. Ultimately, this hassle factor is the biggest reason we try to steer you clear of the 300 Level. Our advice is to skip the 300 level and stick to the lower levels instead.
Chalk Box (Even Sections 122-126, Rows A-D)
The Chalk Box is the first four rows from the field in Sections 122-126. They are big, comfy leather chairs, with tables and armrests between each seat. Aside from that, there’s not much more to say. They don’t include any food or beverages, they don’t have in-seat wait service, and there are no other benefits attached to them. They’re just really amazing seats, so if you’re in the mood for a very different seating experience, then these are worth checking out.
AeroVanti Club (Sections 106-126 even, Rows PP and higher)
The AeroVanti Club is the only premium area in the building where premium seats are attached to an all-inclusive club. It includes all seats in Sections 106-126 (even), Rows PP through the last row of each section (SS or TT). If you’re shopping for these seats on a secondary resale site, it doesn’t matter whether it identifies them as club seats or not: if they are in these sections and rows, they are AeroVanti Club seats and come with all of the benefits attached to them. So pay close attention, because the secondary market is the only place you can buy these seats—they aren’t available for sale directly through the team on a single-game basis.
You can enter the club through a special entrance at Gate 5, and you’ll then take a designated elevator up to the club where you’ll receive your wristband. All food is included, as is all beer, wine, seltzers, and soft drinks. But liquor is not included—it’s only available for purchase.
The food is mid- to upper-end restaurant quality, so it is most definitely an elevated dining experience. The menu rotates, and based on the time of the game you may get different types of choices. For afternoon games you’ll have items like pizza and sandwiches, sushi, and even a made-to-order omelet station, plus the more traditional items like chicken wings, nachos, pretzels, hot dogs and brats, and a salad bar. Plus there’s a carving station with rotating items, and for dessert, there’s a soft-serve sundae bar (which we always love). For evening games, the omelet bar will be replaced with some other more appropriate dinner entree.
Inside the club, there are multiple seating areas with dozens of tables, ranging from regular dining tables to high tops to more comfortable end chairs and low tables that are great for groups. Almost all of this seating has no or very limited views of the field, so our recommended strategy is to get to the game early, fill your plates, find one of these tables to enjoy your meal, and then go to your seats in time for first pitch.
The ticketed seating area is just outside of the club with leather chairs and nice sightlines to the field, as well as wait service at your seat. There are also very limited standing areas behind the seats with ledges for your drinks and food.
As we mentioned previously, on the third base side we had suggested not sitting in the seats underneath the overhang, and you’ll note that the AeroVanti Club seats are similar in their setup. But due to the construction of the club behind these seats, they are much brighter than the seats on the third base side. First of all, there are only four or five rows in each section, instead of the nine rows on the third base side, so the seats just aren’t as deep underneath the awning. Also, you can’t enter these seats from the walkway beneath them, so that distraction is eliminated. Finally, the first row of these sections is elevated higher above the walkway than the third base side seats, so they’ve reduced that obstruction as well. So, all in all, we can say that the AeroVanti seats, while perhaps not as good as seats closer to the field, are good enough when you factor in the benefits of the club behind them.
Some additional thoughts on the AeroVanti Club:
- The staff in the club is beyond friendly and helpful. Tropicana Field is a cashless stadium, but you’ll want some cash on you for tips.
- The club is surprisingly dark inside with the exception of the bar area, which is brightened by windows overlooking the First Base Food Hall.
- The elevators are constantly busy. We prefer to get into and out of the club by using the outdoor circular ramps (but don’t worry… it’s only one level up).
- The club can get ridiculously crowded, especially the closer you get to game time when Dex Imaging guests are also there loading up on a pre-game meal.
Is it worth it?
That question, of course, depends on your personal preferences and budget. If you are a bargain hunter whose goal is to get in and out of the stadium on the cheap, don’t even bother thinking about the club. If you’re someone who doesn’t blink an eye at dropping $200/person at the ballpark, you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on these seats on the resale marketplaces because you might get lucky.
For the rest of you, here’s some quick math to help you. At the Trop, a mid-range ticket will cost about $40, an entree meal another $16. Add in a late-inning snack, that’s another $8-$10. Beers are $12-$20. So you’re probably going to easily spend $100, or more if you’re a bigger drinker. We’ve been able to snag a club ticket for as little as $140, and the extra $40 is a no-brainer in this scenario. You might even find value at $200, considering the elevated food and bottomless drinks. If you get much above $200, it’s more of a question mark, but it comes down to a personal choice.
Dex Imaging Club (Sections 103, 104, 107, 108, through Row J)
If you’re in the Dex Imaging club, you have complete access to the AeroVanti Club, plus some advantages that AeroVanti guests don’t have. First, your seats are right behind home plate (through Row J) and it is by far the best place to watch the game. You’ll also have wait service at your seat, and just behind the seating area is a private bar with top-shelf and rotating liquors (which are included with your ticket), a snack room with traditional ballpark foods, and private restrooms. It’s a short walk from your seats to the elevator that takes you to the AeroVanti Club. The strategy here is to start your day in the AeroVanti Club with a big meal and then make your way to your seats, leaving only if you want to revisit the elevated food offerings in the AeroVanti Club or do a lap or two around the stadium.
Is it worth it?
Dex Imaging tickets will, of course, be more expensive than AeroVanti Club seats, so you’ll have to judge how much the inclusion of liquor and those seats right behind home plate add to the ticket price you’re willing to pay. But we certainly do like the seat location, and the access to the AeroVanti Club is great. But keep in mind that you can buy a lower level infield seat right next to the Dex Imaging Club seats for a fraction of the cost, so unless you’re really hungry and can throw down a good number of beverages, the price of the club might not be worth it.
Standing Room Only
The one good reason to snag a cheap 300 level ticket is because if you don’t mind standing, you’ll find some great vantage points around the stadium where you’ll be able to enjoy the game and also be close to concessions, restrooms and amenities. There have been more than a few Rays games where we’ve spent only a couple innings in our assigned seats, even in the 100 level, choosing instead to walk around the stadium and catch an inning or two in several different areas.
The entire length of right field and Section 149 in left field is ringed with standing room only “seats” with ledges to place your drinks or food on. (The ledges in Section 142 are lower to accommodate wheelchairs.) Our favorite spot is just above Section 150. You’ll be right on top of the Rays Touch Tank, which is always fun to watch in between innings, will be able to see most of the field, and you are mere steps from the terrific Center Field Food Hall. The right field SRO area is in constant flux throughout the game, so do a couple laps and you’re almost assured of being able to work your way into a spot.
If you get to the game early enough, you’ll have a few options for standing. The Budweiser Porch in centerfield has a limited number of standing spots with ledges where you can see the field, but unlike the right field areas, turnover here isn’t as common so you’ll need to get there early if you want a spot. The Budweiser Porch also has several long beer hall-style tables that are great for large groups… but all of them have limited views of the field.
In left field, check out the general admission area of the Left Field Ledge group section closer to the third base side of left field. It’s standing room only, but you’re off the pedestrian path that rings the stadium so a spot here is less chaotic than standing in right field.
Right next to Section 149 in center-left field is a porch that overlooks the field with a couple of high tops and also SRO ledges. The Rays often rent this out as a private party area, but it is open to all guests on days when it isn’t rented. And if it is open, it’s a fantastic place to watch the game from. So if you’re interested, go directly there when the gates open and see if it’s available.
Bottom Line
Like we said, The Trop isn’t the most confusing ballpark in the world—you just need to know what you’re looking for. We expect that most people reading this will end up in the 100 level lower bowl, and that’s just fine. Avoid the 300 level, the rear sections on the lower level, and stay out of the corners, and you’ll likely be in good shape. Keep an eye on some of the premium offerings, and if they pop up on a resale site for a decent price, grab ‘em. And keep an eye on the centerfield deck when the gates open—you might just grab a really cool seat that doesn’t cost anything.
