Having their exhibition opener at their 2025 interim home — the Yankees’ spring stadium — is a topic of conversation in both clubhouses.

The cost to turn George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., into a major league facility will exceed $50 million, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said. The Tampa Bay Rays will play their 2025 regular-season schedule at the complex -- the training and spring facility of the New York Yankees -- after being left without a home stadium.

Among the upgrades to the facilities are a made-to-order kitchen, a players lounge and a two-story weight room.

While the Yankees will work in the significantly enhanced facility for the next six weeks, the Rays also will benefit. They will play 2025 home games there with Tropicana Field unavailable due to damage from Hurricane Milton. “The Rays are going to enjoy this,” Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole said.

Steinbrenner Field has been the Yankees' spring training home since 1996. But after Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field, the Rays made a deal to play this coming season here.