ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It's Opening Day baseball fans!

And the Rays are celebrating the start of their 27^th season with plenty of fanfare, including an upgraded stadium experience at Tropicana Field, new stadium food, a sleek new look in the outfield with shaded grass and a Rays team competing for a sixth-straight playoff appearance.

Tampa Bay’s 4:10 p.m. matchup with Toronto on Thursday marks the club’s 18th straight sell out for Opening Day, not including the 2020 COVID season.

On the field, the Rays will be led by a revamped pitching staff.

Zach Eflin will take to the hill on Opening Day, back from a 2023 where he pitched 177 innings and led the team with 16 wins.

Aaron Civale, Zack Littell, Ryan Pepiot and Tyler Alexander will follow.

Yandy Diaz (1B), Brandon Lowe (2B), Jose Caballero (SS) and Isaac Paredes (3B) will fill an infield lineup Thursday that is sure to twist, turn and change during the season.

Fan favorite Randy Arozarena, Jose Siri and Harold Ramirez will be in the outfield.

Rene Pinto is set to do most of the everyday catching.

Spring Training saw its share of injuries for the Rays with pitcher Taj Bradley, outfielders Josh Lowe and Jonny DeLuca and INF Jonathan Aranda all starting the year slowed by injuries.

Pitcher Tyler Glasnow is now an LA Dodger and the Wander Franco saga continues, with the Rays regular shortstop remaining in limbo regarding legal concerns.

FOOD FAVORITES

There’s plenty to keep fans busy in the stands as well.

The Tampa Bay Rays have unveiled some of the unique edibles that will be available at Tropicana Field for the 2024 season.

Citing feedback from fans, more allergy-friendly options will be available this season. Menu boards will have clear labels for gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan.

There will be an entirely gluten-free stand this year in right field called "Gluten Free Favorites."

The team said there will also be self-checkout food options at some stadium locations.

TICKETS

Single game tickets, as well as season memberships and special packages are all currently available.

The team will also offer the "Ballpark Pass" for $49 a month or $249 for the season. Fans with Ballpark Pass can attend every home game that particular month, with no blackout dates.

Tickets are standing room only with an option to purchase up to two guest passes per game.

GIVEAWAYS GALORE

As fans arrive for Opening Day, the first 20,000 fans will receive a season schedule magnet.

Upon entry to the game on Sunday, March 31 against the Blue Jays, the first 12,000 fans will receive a Jose Siri replica necklace. 

In addition to those freebies, the Rays will gift a Flappy Boi zip-up hoodie on Aug. 9 and a plush bucket hat (Aug. 16).

More giveaways include a button-down tropical shirt in memory of Rays radio announcer Dave Wills, who passed away last year, a Randy Arozarena luchador wrestler mask (May 5), and bobbleheads for Fred McGriff (Sept. 1) and Yandy Díaz (June 30).

BASEBALL AND A PARTY

The Rays announced musical performances taking place in conjunction with Rays game dates.

They include Jimmy Eat World (July 26), Rylee Green (Aug. 10) and T-Pain (Aug. 16). View all games that have an attached promotion.

College night ticket packages will return for the 2024 season, as well as discounted ticket pricing for students. For a full list of college nights and for more information, visit RaysBaseball.com/TicketPackages.

For every Friday home game, fans can purchase tickets for Randy Land in sections 141 or 143 starting at $56. Tickets include a Randy T-shirt.

And if Randy hits a home run during the game, fans in Randy Land receive a free beverage. Purchase tickets in Randy Land.

LOOK AT THE FIELD

Tropicana Field’s outfield will sport a new look this year with a striped set up.

The turf has been cut to resemble grass with different shades across the outfield.  

The team donated 75,000 square feet of turf to Bay area youth parks and rec programs for fields and training facilities.