USDLast verified: October 20, 2026, for the ALCS result, the World Series schedule and the Rays' parking rules; October 19, 2026, for the Game 6 and 7 times; October 14, 2026, for the ALCS schedule and Games 1 and 2 results; October 12, 2026, for the Rays' postseason parking rule and the City of St. Petersburg's postseason guide; October 2 and 5, 2026, for the rest. We checked the Rays' parking, A-to-Z guide and postseason pages, MLB's schedule, and the City of St. Petersburg, PSTA, Looper, SpotHero, ParkWhiz and Vivid Seats pages listed under Sources. Prices are what those sources published that day and can change by game.
World Series Games 3, 4 and 5 are here October 26 to 28: Rays vs. Brewers
- The series: the Rays beat the Guardians 4-2 in the ALCS, clinching with a 7-3 win in Game 6 here on October 19. The World Series opens at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24. Games 3, 4 and 5 are at Tropicana Field on Monday, October 26, Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28, with Game 5 played only if needed. Games 6 and 7, if needed, are back in Milwaukee on October 30 and 31 (MLB schedule, verified October 20, 2026).
- First pitch: 8:00 p.m. ET for all three home games, per the Rays' postseason page (Rays postseason page); MLB's schedule data lists the same start.
- Rays parking is prepaid only: "Parking for all Postseason games at Tropicana Field is prepaid only. Parking will not be available to purchase on a drive-up basis." Lot 1 is premium parking; Lots 6 and 7 are general parking. The Rays' postseason page has a Buy Parking button for each World Series home game, and the Rays haven't published World Series lot prices (Rays parking page).
- Free Baseball Shuttle: the City of St. Petersburg says it starts 3 hours before the game, so about 5:00 p.m. ET for an 8:00 p.m. first pitch, and runs until 2 hours after the game ends, free to ride. The city says it runs about every 5 minutes and the Looper says about every 10, so allow for either. The city's guide covers the ALCS and doesn't name the World Series, so confirm on the Looper page. The stop is about a mile's walk from the stadium (City of St. Petersburg, updated October 19).
- No Rays pass? Overflow is independent of the Rays. Once the Rays' lots sell out, the team points fans to downtown overflow, such as the SouthCore Garage at 101 1st Ave. S and the Central Garage at 1388 1st Ave. N. The Rays say they "neither control nor operate" overflow parking and are "not responsible for setting parking lot rates, refund policies, rules and/or procedures," so those are set by the garages. The city also lists a new 540-space garage at 1301 Central Ave. (Rays parking page, City of St. Petersburg). No overflow prices are published on those pages.
- SunRunner: the bus rapid transit line has a stop on the north side of Tropicana Field, every 15 minutes until 8 p.m. and every 30 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight (Rays parking page).
Short answer. In the postseason the Rays sell parking in their own lots in advance only, at $50 to $60 a car before fees for the ALDS, when both home games sold out. World Series lot prices aren't published, and there are no drive-up sales.
Everyone else parks downtown. City garages and lots list event prices of $5 to $20, independent lots on SpotHero ran $10 to $85 before fees across Games 1 and 2, and the free Looper shuttle stops at the stadium on 16th Street.
Options at a glance
Costs are what each source published on October 2, 2026. Where a price was for a specific game, the game is named.
| Option | Where | Cost | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rays prepaid lots | Lots 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 | Not published (Rays) | Prepaid only. ALDS Game 1 was sold out. |
| Resale passes | Rays lots and off-site lots | $43 to $1,036 with fees, ALDS Game 1 (Vivid Seats) | Rays-lot listings started at $195. |
| City garages and lots | SouthCore Garage and city lots downtown | $5 to $20 event prices (city) | No walking distances published. |
| Independent lots | Central Ave., 1st Ave. N, 3rd Ave. S | $10 to $85 before fees on SpotHero, Games 1 and 2; $18.55 to $36.10 with fees on ParkWhiz, Game 1 | Only five SpotHero listings within 1.5 miles were left for Game 1. |
| Looper Baseball Shuttle | 2nd St. S downtown to 16th St. S | Free (Looper) | You still pay to park downtown. |
| PSTA SunRunner | North side of the stadium | $2.25 a ride, $5 daily cap (PSTA) | No cash. Service ends at midnight. |
Postseason home games at the Trop
After a 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Rays played all 81 home games of 2026 at Tropicana Field, per MLB's schedule data. Times are Eastern. ALDS parking status is from the Rays' postseason page on October 2 and the parking sales feed on October 5; World Series times are from MLB's schedule and the Rays' postseason page on October 20.
| Date | Game | First pitch | Rays parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 3 | ALDS Game 1 vs. Yankees | 6:30 p.m. | Sold out |
| Mon, Oct 5 | ALDS Game 2 vs. Yankees | 8:00 p.m. | Sold out (0 passes left, Oct 5) |
| Mon, Oct 12 | ALCS Game 1 vs. Guardians | 8:00 p.m. | Played (Guardians won 7-3) |
| Tue, Oct 13 | ALCS Game 2 vs. Guardians | 8:00 p.m. | Played (Rays won 3-1) |
| Mon, Oct 19 | ALCS Game 6 vs. Guardians | 8:08 p.m. | Played (Rays won 7-3 and the series 4-2) |
| Tue, Oct 20 | ALCS Game 7 vs. Guardians | 8:08 p.m. | Not needed |
| Mon, Oct 26 | World Series Game 3 vs. Brewers | 8:00 p.m. | Prepaid only |
| Tue, Oct 27 | World Series Game 4 vs. Brewers | 8:00 p.m. | Prepaid only |
| Wed, Oct 28 | World Series Game 5 vs. Brewers, if needed | 8:00 p.m. | Prepaid only |
Rays lots: who can park there and what it costs
The Rays sell a limited number of prepaid, single-game spaces in Lots 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, according to the team's A-to-Z guide. Lot 1 is the premium lot, recommended for seats behind home plate. Lots 6 and 7 are general parking.
- Price: for the ALDS, the Rays' parking sales feed lists Lot 1 Premium at $60, Lot 5 Premium at $55, and Lots 2, 3, 6 and 9 at $50, plus fees. RVs, campers and large vans pay double the general rate.
- Passes and payment: passes are mobile only, in the MLB Ballpark app. The ballpark is cash-free, so pay by card or Rays Wallet.
- Oversized vehicles: may be sent to other lots. RVs can't stay overnight and generally park with buses on 2nd Ave. S between 10th St. and MLK St.
- Gates: two hours before first pitch on weekends and 90 minutes on weekdays in the regular season. Postseason gate and lot times are not published.
- Tailgating: allowed once the lots open. No big tents, open flames, charcoal grills or large commercial grills, and alcohol stays at the tailgate.
Overflow garages and lots, from city-run to independent
City garages and lots. The city's parking page, linked from the Rays' page, lists these event prices:
- SouthCore Garage, entrance at 101 1st Ave. S: $5 or $10, occasionally $20, and $2 an hour up to $16 on other days. The Rays note a 6'10" clearance.
- 800 1st Avenue South lot, entrances on 1st and 2nd Avenues South between 8th St. and MLK St.: $5 to $20.
- Al Lang lot, 1st Ave. S near Bayshore Dr.: usually $5, occasionally $10.
Central Garage, 1388 1st Ave. N. A Rays-listed overflow garage, card only through Honk or ParkMobile, with a 7'8" clearance. SpotHero had it at $30 for ALDS Game 2, an eight-minute walk, with two spaces left.
Independent lots. Within 1.5 miles, SpotHero had five Game 1 listings left: 900 Central Ave. at $85, an 11-minute walk; Webbs Plaza Lot, 850 3rd Ave. S, $30, 12 minutes; 825 Arlington Ave. N, $25, 15 minutes; McNulty Garage, 175 2nd St. S, $17, 27 minutes; and a $50 hotel valet. ALDS Game 2 had 12 in the same radius, from $10 to $85. ParkWhiz's three ALDS Game 1 listings, fees included, ran $18.55 to $36.10, slightly above SpotHero's totals for the same lots.
Street parking. Meters cost $1 to $1.50 an hour. Residential permit zones 2 and 3 meet at 16th Street, beside Gate 4, so read the posted signs.
Rideshare and drop-off
- The Rays' parking page says to set drop-off at Gate 4. The A-to-Z guide lists Lot 8 for Gate 1 and Trop Drive on 16th Street for Gates 4 and 5.
- Tropicana Drive is one-way, in from 16th St. S and out onto 4th Ave. S. No general pickup point is published.
Getting there by shuttle or SunRunner
Looper Baseball Shuttle. Free buses and trolleys run about every 10 minutes from two hours before first pitch until an hour after the game, through October 31, says the Looper. For playoff games the city says it starts 3 hours before the game and runs about every 5 minutes until 2 hours after. The downtown stop is on 2nd Street South between Central Avenue and 1st Avenue South, and drivers can park in the garage there, entering from 1st Avenue South between 1st and 2nd Streets, where the city lists the SouthCore Garage entrance. The stadium stop is on 16th Street just south of 3rd Avenue South.
SunRunner. PSTA's rapid bus stops on the stadium's north side. Rides cost $2.25, capped at $5 a day, and it takes no cash. PSTA runs it every 15 minutes until 8 p.m., then every 30 minutes until midnight, except Fridays and Saturdays, when 15-minute service runs to midnight. The Rays' page lists only the 30-minute schedule.
Accessible parking and drop-off
- Spaces are in Lots 1 and 7, mostly Lot 7, all van-accessible and subject to availability. Enter Lot 7 from 3rd or 4th Ave. S.
- Drop-off is in front of Gate 4, across 16th St. S from Lot 1. ADA rideshare pickup is at Gate 1 or Gate 4.
- Police monitor the spaces, and the placard holder must be in the car. Rolling Rays wheelchair transport is available at Gates 1 and 5.
What this guide doesn't recommend
- Driving in without a Rays pass. There are no drive-up sales for any postseason game.
- Paying resale for an off-site lot. The 825 Arlington Ave. N lot was $52 on Vivid Seats, $26.81 on SpotHero and $30.25 on ParkWhiz, fees included.
- A late SunRunner on Monday. After 8 p.m. it comes every 30 minutes and stops at midnight.
Frequently asked questions
How much is parking at a Rays game?
The Rays don't publish a postseason price. For Game 1, resale passes for Rays lots started at $195, independent lots within 1.5 miles ran $17 to $85 before fees on SpotHero, and city lots list $5 to $20.
Where is the best place to park at Tropicana Field?
With a Rays pass, Lot 1 behind home plate or Lots 6 and 7. Without one, the 1388 1st Ave. N garage was $30 for ALDS Game 2, an eight-minute walk. For less, use a downtown city garage and the free Looper.
Do you pay for parking at Tropicana Field?
Yes. Postseason parking is prepaid by card or Rays Wallet, and the ballpark takes no cash.
Is there free parking near the stadium?
Not in the Rays' lots. The city says some streets are free and unsigned, but the zones that meet at 16th Street are residential permit areas, so read the signs.
How do I buy a Rays parking pass?
Through the Buy Parking links on the Rays' postseason page. Passes are mobile only, in the MLB Ballpark app. Resale passes are on Vivid Seats.
Sources
Checked October 2, 2026, except the Rays' parking sales feed, checked October 5, 2026.
- City of St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay Rays Postseason Parking Guide (updated October 19): playoff dates, prepaid on-site parking, 1301 Central Ave. garage, Baseball Shuttle hours, SunRunner, read October 12, 2026.
- MLB Stats API schedule: ALCS result, World Series venues and dates, read October 20, 2026.
- Tampa Bay Rays, Parking at Tropicana Field: postseason rule, lots, accessible parking, rideshare, overflow garages.
- Tampa Bay Rays, A-to-Z Guide: prepaid lots, payment, RVs and buses, tailgating, gates, rideshare.
- Tampa Bay Rays, Postseason Information: home dates, parking sale status.
- Tampa Bay Rays, ALDS parking sales (mlb.tickets.com) and its availability feed: lot prices, fees and passes left for Games 2 and 5, checked October 5, 2026, 9:07 a.m. ET.
- MLB, 2026 Postseason and MLB schedule data: ALDS matchup and times, 2026 home games.
- City of St. Petersburg, Parking Information: event prices, meters, permit zones.
- Looper, Baseball Shuttle: stops, hours, season.
- PSTA, SunRunner and PSTA, Fares: fare, daily cap, cash rule, frequency.
- SpotHero and ParkWhiz: live prices for Games 1 and 2.
- Vivid Seats Rays and Game 1 parking pages: resale listings, linked in the box above.