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Red Sox-Cubs Finale Moved to Tropicana Field Due to Nor'easter
Confirmed
In Short: The final game of the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs series has been moved to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, due to a severe nor'easter expected to hit the Boston area this weekend.
The final game of the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs series has been moved to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, due to a severe nor'easter expected to hit the Boston area this weekend. The decision was made after Boston 25 News issued a weather alert, predicting heavy rain and strong winds along the coast of southern New England.
Originally, the series finale was scheduled for Saturday at Fenway Park, but the forecast forced a change. The Red Sox and Cubs played a split doubleheader on Friday at Fenway Park, with the Red Sox winning 4-3 in the first game. The second game of the doubleheader was moved up to 5:35 p.m. to accommodate the schedule.
Red Sox manager Chad Tracy had been closely monitoring the weather situation, noting that MLB was waiting as long as possible to decide whether to move the game. Tracy said, 'Is this going to go below us, or is there an avenue that we could play here?
The relocation marks the first time since 2017, outside the COVID-19 pandemic, that a Major League Baseball game or series has been relocated due to weather. In 2017, the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays moved their series from Tropicana Field to Citi Field because of Hurricane Irma.
The change in venue was necessary to ensure the game could be played safely. Tropicana Field, known for its retractable roof, provides a secure environment for the final regular-season game, eliminating weather risks and ensuring the game can be completed.
Operations teams inside Tropicana Field are standing by to handle short-notice logistics, including security staffing, concessions, ticketing, and neutral-site venue branding. However, officials have not yet announced game times or ticket availability for the relocated game.
The unexpected move to Tropicana Field adds an ironic twist, as the stadium was rendered unplayable by a hurricane in October 2024, prompting the Rays to play their 2025 home schedule at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
The Red Sox and Cubs will now conclude their series on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field, with the tentative plan being a 3:05 p.m. start. This adjustment ensures that the final game of the regular season will be completed without weather-related disruptions.
What this adds
The relocation of the final game to Tropicana Field is a significant change from the original plan, which had the series concluding in Boston. This move underscores the impact of severe weather on sports scheduling and highlights the importance of contingency plans in Major League Baseball.
Background
Counsell remains hopeful that third baseman Alex Bregman will be available for the series against the Red Sox, his former team, this weekend.
What's confirmed
- Because of the looming nor'easter that's expected to pummel New England with wet weather, the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox will relocate the final game of their season-ending three-game series from Fenway Park in Boston to Tropicana Field in St.
- A doubleheader was scheduled in Boston on Friday ahead of a storm that's expected to bring multiple days of heavy rain and wind to the area.
What's still developing
- Cotillo previously reported that moving part of the series to Tropicana Field had been discussed, although plans remained fluid.
- The change has not yet been announced as final, so the schedule remains subject to change. #Cubs United charter flight is scheduled to fly from Boston to Clearwater/St. Petersburg tonight #RedSox plane also planning to fly to Tampa Bay area tonight; @ChrisCotillo says the tentative plan is for a 3:05 p.m. start for #Cubs-#RedSox at the Trop on Sunday Earned automatically on CubsHQ; not for purchase or giving.
- It remains unconfirmed whether MLB will officially trigger the contingency plan to move Sunday's regular-season finale south.