Tampa Stadium, NFL stadium in Tampa, US
Raymond James Stadium is a football arena in Tampa, Florida. The structure spreads across several tiers with open-air seating, covered sections, and a large playing field surrounded by rows of seats.
The venue opened in 1998, replacing the older Tampa Stadium that had stood on the same site since the 1960s. The new construction brought modern facilities and greater capacity, making Tampa a key location for national sporting events.
Locals often refer to the venue simply as "The Ray Jay" or "Ray Jay," a nickname that shows how closely the city connects with its football team. On game days, the grounds transform into a celebration of pirate traditions, with fans arriving in period costumes and recreating the feel of an 18th-century harbor.
The grounds sit near Interstate 275 and Dale Mabry Highway, making car access straightforward. Parking lots surround the facility on multiple sides, and on event days, additional areas open to spread out traffic.
A full-size replica pirate ship sits behind one end zone and fires its cannons each time the home team scores a touchdown. The ship features working cannons that can shoot up to 165 feet (50 meters) and stands as one of the few working ship replicas in any sports venue worldwide.
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