About Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium sits in north Tampa along Dale Mabry Highway — a 65,890-seat open-air venue best known for the 103-foot pirate ship parked behind its north end zone. When the Buccaneers score, eight cannons fire smoke and confetti into the stands. No other NFL stadium has anything remotely like it.
Located about 5 miles from both downtown Tampa and Tampa International Airport, the stadium occupies a convenient spot in the city’s transportation grid. The proximity to the airport makes it one of the most accessible NFL venues for out-of-town visitors — you can land and be in your seat within 30 minutes.
The $168.5 million stadium was designed by Populous (then HOK Sport) and opened on September 20, 1998, when the Buccaneers defeated the Chicago Bears 27–15. Its open-air design embraces the Florida climate — subtropical heat in September, mild and comfortable by December. The Tifway 419 Bermuda grass field is replaced more frequently than any other in the NFL, with fresh sod installed before major events.
Raymond James has hosted three Super Bowls (XXXV, XLIII, LV), two CFP National Championships, WrestleMania 37, three nights of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour (2023), and a U.S. World Cup qualifying match. It is Tampa Bay’s biggest stage — and the pirate ship makes sure you never forget whose house you’re in.
Getting to Raymond James Stadium
Public Transit
HART bus routes 32 and 36 serve the Dale Mabry Highway corridor directly past the stadium. Route 45 connects from the USF campus. One-way fare is $2.
→ From Downtown Tampa: Take the TECO Line Streetcar to Marion Transit Center, then transfer to a HART bus heading north on Dale Mabry. Total travel time is about 30 minutes.
→ From North Tampa / USF: HART Route 45 runs directly to the stadium area — about 20 minutes.
There is no dedicated game-day express shuttle from downtown. The streetcar-to-bus transfer is the primary public transit option. Most fans drive, rideshare, or tailgate.
Driving + Parking
The stadium address is 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33607. Dale Mabry Highway runs directly past the venue — you can’t miss it.
→ From Orlando (88 mi): I-4 West to I-275 South, exit Dale Mabry Highway North. About 90 minutes.
→ From St. Petersburg (22 mi): I-275 North across the Howard Frankland Bridge, exit Dale Mabry Highway North. About 30 minutes.
→ From Sarasota (57 mi): I-75 North to I-275 North, exit Dale Mabry Highway North. About 60 minutes.
There are 14 lots surrounding the stadium. General parking is $40, premium $50. Tailgating is allowed in all lots — but grilling is prohibited. Lots open 4 hours before kickoff and each vehicle gets one 10’ × 24’ space.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft drop off at the Mass Transit Turnaround on the northwest side of the stadium. After games, pickup moves to George M. Steinbrenner Field (the Yankees’ spring training facility) across Dale Mabry Highway.
From downtown Tampa, expect $15–$25 and about 10 minutes. Post-game surge pricing of 2x–3x is common — walk across to Steinbrenner Field early or wait 30 minutes for prices to settle.
From the Airport
→ Tampa International (TPA): Just 5 miles from the stadium, about 9 minutes by car without traffic. Rideshare runs $16–$20. HART Route 32 bus connects the airport to the stadium area for $2, though it takes about 45 minutes with stops.
The Pirate Ship
No stadium feature in professional sports is as distinctive as the 103-foot pirate ship sitting behind the north end zone of Raymond James Stadium. Weighing 43 tons and rigged with eight functioning cannons, the ship anchors Buccaneer Cove — a 20,000-square-foot themed area that opens to fans on game day.
When the Buccaneers score, the cannons fire in sequence — smoke billows, confetti rains down, and mini-footballs launch into the stands. It’s theatrical, absurd, and absolutely perfect for a franchise built on pirate mythology. The ship was part of the original stadium design in 1998, and it’s become as iconic to Tampa Bay football as the Lombardi Trophy the team brought home in Super Bowl LV.
That Super Bowl — played on February 7, 2021 — made Raymond James Stadium the first venue where a team played and won the championship on its own home field. Tom Brady, in his first season after leaving New England, threw three touchdowns as the Buccaneers dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9. Only 25,000 fans were there due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the pirate ship cannons fired for a home team’s Super Bowl victory — a moment no other stadium can claim.
History of Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium was designed by Populous and opened on September 20, 1998, replacing the aging Tampa Stadium (“The Big Sombrero”). The $168.5 million project was entirely publicly financed, and Raymond James Financial secured naming rights for $32.5 million.
Super Bowl XXXV (January 2001): The Baltimore Ravens crushed the New York Giants 34–7 in Ray Lewis’s signature moment. Temporary end zone bleachers pushed attendance to 71,921.
Super Bowl XLIII (February 2009): The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27–23 on Santonio Holmes’s toe-tap touchdown catch with 35 seconds remaining — one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history.
CFP National Championship (January 2017): Clemson defeated Alabama 35–31 before 74,512 fans, setting the stadium’s all-time attendance record.
Super Bowl LV (February 2021): Tom Brady and the Buccaneers won 31–9 over the Chiefs in the first home-stadium Super Bowl victory in NFL history. COVID limited attendance to 25,000 — the smallest Super Bowl crowd ever.
$100M Renovation (2016–2018): A three-phase upgrade added 30,000 square feet of HD video boards, expanded the west club by 25%, and modernized the east atrium.
From its pirate ship to its Super Bowl pedigree, Raymond James Stadium has carved out an identity unlike any other venue in the NFL. Three Super Bowls in 20 years — and a fourth chapter yet to be written.
Photo Gallery
Fun Facts
Raymond James Stadium is home to the only full-size pirate ship in an NFL stadium — 103 feet long, 43 tons, with 8 cannons that fire for every Buccaneers score.
In Super Bowl LV (2021), the Buccaneers became the first team in NFL history to play and win a Super Bowl in their own home stadium.
The 2017 CFP National Championship between Clemson and Alabama drew 74,512 fans — the all-time attendance record for the stadium.
Stadium Location
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the seating capacity of Raymond James Stadium?
- Raymond James Stadium seats 65,890 for NFL games. Temporary seating can expand capacity to approximately 75,000. The all-time attendance record is 74,512, set during the 2017 CFP National Championship.
- Where is Raymond James Stadium located?
- Raymond James Stadium is at 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33607. It sits in north Tampa, about 5 miles from Tampa International Airport and 5 miles from downtown.
- How do I get to Raymond James Stadium by public transit?
- HART bus routes 32, 36, and 45 serve the stadium area. From downtown, take the TECO Line Streetcar to Marion Transit Center and transfer to a HART bus. One-way fare is $2.
- Is there parking at Raymond James Stadium?
- Yes, there are 14 lots surrounding the stadium. General public parking costs $40 per car, premium spots $50. Tailgating is permitted in all lots but grilling is prohibited. Lots open 4 hours before kickoff.
- How many Super Bowls has Raymond James Stadium hosted?
- Three: Super Bowl XXXV (2001, Ravens 34–Giants 7), Super Bowl XLIII (2009, Steelers 27–Cardinals 23), and Super Bowl LV (2021, Buccaneers 31–Chiefs 9). Super Bowl LV was the first won by a team in their home stadium.
- Does Raymond James Stadium have real grass or artificial turf?
- The field uses natural Tifway 419 Bermuda grass. The stadium replaces its sod more frequently than any other NFL venue, installing fresh grass ahead of major events.
- What is the pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium?
- The 103-foot, 43-ton pirate ship sits behind the north end zone in Buccaneer Cove. It has 8 functioning cannons that fire smoke, confetti, and mini-footballs into the stands for every Buccaneers score.
- Where do Uber and Lyft pick up after games?
- Post-game rideshare pickup is at George M. Steinbrenner Field across Dale Mabry Highway from the stadium. Pre-game drop-off is at the Mass Transit Turnaround on the northwest side. Expect surge pricing after games.
Last updated: 2026-02-20
