On Monday, April 29, the Tampa Bay Rays unveiled their City Connect jerseys. Since the inception of the MLB City Connect program in 2021, we’ve eagerly awaited the day that our hometown team would get their community-inspired uniforms. The new “Grit x Glow” uniforms celebrate the bold and vibrant underground spirit of Tampa Bay inspired by decades of skate culture. The Rays are one of nine teams that debut uniforms with the City Connect program this season.

Fans can shop the new merch in person at Tropicana Field or online at thebayrepublic.com. The team store at the Trop is open The new uniforms debut on May 3 at Tropicana Field when the Rays face the New York Mets. The new threads will make 15 appearances this season (including two away games). The launch video for the new brand pieces features several of our favorite icons including musician Shevonne, art by the Vitale Bros, a poem by St. Pete poet laureate Gloria Muñoz, St. Pete Skate Park, the Bro Bowl, Skate Park of Tampa, Fairgrounds St. Pete, and so many more. Be sure to check out the new mural by the Vitale Bros featured in the video at 3125 5th Ave N.

You’re invited to a City Connect Celebration

On Thursday, May 2, the Tampa Bay Rays will host a City Connect Celebration at the St. Pete Pier from 5pm–10pm. Fans will be treated to a City Connect-themed drone show, player & mascot appearances, merchandise, live artist installations, live music, skateboarding demos, food trucks, and more. You can also catch their merch truck at three watch parties this summer across Tampa Bay.

• Saturday, May 18: Rays vs Blue Jays, Pier 60 Park, Clearwater Beach
• Saturday, June 1: Rays vs Orioles, Midtown Tampa, Tampa
• Saturday, June 15: Rays vs Braves, Payne Park, Sarasota

Unveiling the story behind these new designs

Warren Hypes (Vice President, Creative and Brand) spoke to the gathered crowd about the four-year process behind the designs. The creative team worked with Nike to dig deep into the historic and vibrant culture of Tampa Bay’s skateparks, street culture, art, and more. For the first time since 2007, “Tampa Bay” returns to the front of their jerseys—the stylized flames – an homage to skate media like the iconic Thrasher magazine.

A neon pelican and palm trees logo represents their St. Pete, Florida home field advantage, the three palms on a Florida Historical Marker, as well as the bird’s baseball history with the 1940s-1950s Florida State Negro League St. Pete Pelicans. The cap logo combines a Ray and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in a tribute to the greater Tampa Bay region and the communities the bridge connects. The Skating Ray is an ode to the hard work and grit of the skateboarding and baseball worlds. The uniforms are designed to look like they’ve seen a little too much Florida sun and we love it.

Mark your promo calendar for these rad giveaways

The Rays team hid these City Connect treats on their promotional items calendar in plain sight. On May 24, the first 12,000 fans can get a Rays Skateboard Deck (no wheels or trucks, sorry). July 14, the first 5,000 fans 14 and under can cop a skating ray sneaker keychain. Finally, on July 28, the first 12,000 fans will receive a Pete Fairbanks Bobblehead. Check out the rest of their promotional items schedule here. We’ll see you at Tropicana Field all season long! Get your tickets for a game here.