A joint venture between AECOM Hunt, Turner Construction and Horus Construction Services has been selected as the preferred construction team for the Tampa Bay Rays’ proposed $2.3 billion Major League Baseball stadium in Tampa, Florida.
The selection represents a major step forward for the long-planned ballpark project, but the deal still depends on approval of a financing plan by the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County.
Financing Approval Still Required
A stadium selection committee ranked the AECOM Hunt-Turner-Horus team as the top bidder for the project.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the city and Hillsborough County Commission are expected to consider the financing plan in the coming weeks.
The city and county are currently expected to contribute approximately $960 million toward the project. The Rays would finance the remaining cost and would also be responsible for potential construction cost overruns.
If the proposed price from the AECOM Hunt-Turner-Horus team is not approved, the Rays could begin negotiations with another contractor.
Other teams that competed for the construction contract included a joint venture involving Mortenson, Beck and Envision; a Gilbane and Barton Malow partnership; and H.J. Russell and Co.
Experienced Stadium Builders
AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction have already partnered on several major sports and entertainment projects.
The companies were awarded a $1.5 billion contract for a new shared arena in Philadelphia for the NHL’s Flyers and NBA’s 76ers.
The two contractors are also working together on Huntington Bank Field in Brook Park, Ohio, the future home of the Cleveland Browns. That stadium has an estimated construction value of $2.4 billion.
AECOM Hunt also has an existing relationship with the Rays. The contractor was involved in rebuilding the roof at Tropicana Field, the team’s current home, after Hurricane Milton severely damaged the structure.
Horus Construction Services, based in Tampa, brings additional regional experience to the joint venture. The company works across several sectors, including civil and government construction, aviation and healthcare.
New Stadium Planned for Westshore District
The Rays plan to build the new stadium as part of a 130-acre development in Tampa’s Westshore District, near Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus.
The team released initial renderings of the proposed ballpark earlier this year and issued a request for qualifications for a construction manager at-risk contractor in June.
The planned stadium is expected to seat approximately 31,000 fans. Beyond baseball, the facility is designed to host concerts, sporting events and other entertainment activities.
Rays Stadium Project Has Faced Delays
The new stadium plan follows years of uncertainty over the Rays’ future home.
In March 2025, a proposed $1.3 billion stadium project in neighboring Pinellas County fell apart after delays involving its financing.
The latest proposal moves the planned stadium to Tampa and represents another attempt to secure a long-term home for the franchise.
If the financing plan receives the necessary approvals, the selection of the AECOM Hunt-Turner-Horus joint venture would move the $2.3 billion project closer to construction.
