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The City of Tampa Celebrates the Rays Heading to Playoffs With a Banner Ceremony

Edited by Jack Croy · September 29, 2026 · Updated September 30, 2026 · 2 min read

The Tampa Bay Rays are heading to the postseason as the No. 1 overall seed in the American League. Before the Rays take the field for Game 1 at Tropicana Field on Saturday, Oct. 3, the City of Tampa gathered at Old City Hall to raise the Rays flag.

Mayor Jane Castor, city leaders, staff and former Rays player Brett Phillips gathered outside the Tampa Municipal Office Building to raise the Rays banner.

“I could never ever endorse stealing, except in this particular situation. The Rays are more than welcome to steal as many bases as they need to get to that World Series,” Castor said. “We’re very, very proud of our team and everything that they have done.”

The city raises the Rays banner every year the team makes the playoffs, but this year’s celebration carries added significance. The Rays finished the regular season with 98 wins, marking it the third-best regular season in franchise history.

The team also won the American League East after beating the New York Yankees earlier this month.

“As I reflect and look back at the beginning of the season, no one thought that we would be here. The professionals thought that we’d be in last place in the division. No one counted us in, but the city of Tampa and St. Pete,” Phillips said. “We appreciate the fan base, and I know we still have to decide who we’re gonna play come Saturday.”

The Rays have a bye during the Wild Card Series as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox battle for a spot against Tampa Bay on Oct. 3.

“There at the Trop and as a player in 2021, I’ll tell you what, when that place is packed and it’s loud, that’s an exciting place to play and I know our players are gonna feed off that energy. So thank you guys very much and we look forward to seeing you Saturday,” Phillips said.

Phillips said the team is in a strong position heading into the playoffs.

“I’ve watched this team play the whole year. They’ve stuck to an identity of a style of play that we haven’t seen for quite a while with the bunting, the moving runners, the selfless plays that you’ve seen all year,” Phillips said. “The identity of this team is a lot better than the team I played for and they’re going to have some success.”

During the ceremony, other speakers talked about how sports have brought the community together over the years and expressed hope for another championship to add to “Champa Bay.”

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