Raymond James Stadium Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

Kenny Chesney performing live on stage at the inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Music

Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium will host Ken Chesney, an artist who won’t get all political on us

“I’ve never saw it to be my place to use my stage or platform, no matter where I’m playing.”

by Colin Wolf September 16, 2026September 16, 2026

After a long summer packed with political controversy for the Tampa Sports Authority, the tax-payer funded organization that books Raymond James Stadium is now making a safe, non-political pivot to Kenny Chesney, a guy who says it’s “not his place to tell people how to think or how to vote.” Yesterday, TSA announced that the […]

Macklemore removed from Tampa show with Ed Sheeran following ‘Free Palestine’ statements

The Seattle-based rapper was supposed to appear at 10 more venues, including the tour’s final stop on Nov. 7 at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.

by Colin Wolf September 14, 2026September 14, 2026

photograph by Dave Decker showing global ambassador and former WWE wrestler Titus O'Neil posing with two young fans at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on August 8, 2026. Captured center frame in a medium shot, O'Neil wears a beige t-shirt and glasses while enthusiastically wrapping his arms around the shoulders of two young boys standing in front of him. The boy on the left wears a white graphic t-shirt and laughs, while the boy on the right wears a black graphic t-shirt and smiles toward the camera. In the background, a wall monitor displays logos for "Back to School Bash" and "Hungry Howie's," alongside a Tampa Bay Buccaneers flag hanging in the indoor venue space under bright indoor lighting.

Photos: Titus O’Neil’s back-to-school returns to Tampa, giving kids 30,000 backpacks, plus medical and dental care

The party comes on the heels of the Thaddeus M. Bullard Academy at Sligh Middle Magnet School earning a ‘B’ rating for the first time in 25 years.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker August 10, 2026August 10, 2026

Wrexham AFC players on the field in red jerseys

Arts & Entertainment

A British soccer showdown comes to Tampa next weekend

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny-owned Wrexham AFC take on recently promoted Leeds at Raymond James Stadium.

by Liam Oliver July 17, 2026July 17, 2026

A live music screenshot of musicians Post Malone and Jelly Roll standing closely together on stage during a performance at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington on June 26, 2025. On the left, Post Malone, who has extensive face and arm tattoos, sings into a microphone while wearing a white raglan shirt with dark sleeves featuring a band graphic, paired with a large gold belt buckle. Post Malone has one arm draped affectionately over the shoulder of Jelly Roll on the right. Jelly Roll, also sporting face tattoos and a beard, looks forward wearing a backwards black baseball cap, a black t-shirt, and a black overshirt with the word "Buddy" embroidered on the chest.

Music

Post Malone and Jelly Roll’s rescheduled Tampa concert happens on Wednesday

Jelly Roll is still playing, too.

by Ray Roa July 3, 2026July 3, 2026

Kanye West, also known as Ye, wearing a bagging sweatshirt.

Emails show how Kanye West’s Tampa shows were booked, and how they became almost impossible to cancel

Internal messages show the TSA agreed to changes that barred it from canceling the concerts over ‘artist identity,’ ‘public statements’ or ‘political viewpoints.’

by Colin Wolf June 23, 2026June 23, 2026

Kanye West speaking during a meeting with US President Donald J. Trump and NFL legend Jim Brown in the White House Oval Office on October 11, 2018.

Tampa Jewish Federation blasts local leaders over decision to book Kanye West concerts

Today’s statement comes just a few days after U.S. Sen. Rick Scott also called on the TSA to ‘carefully review this decision.’

by Colin Wolf June 8, 2026June 8, 2026

A medium-shot, eye-level photograph of New Zealand soccer defender Tim Payne captured during a training session. They have short dark hair and are wearing a black, sleeveless athletic training top. They are shown mid-air in a dynamic, athletic pose, striking a soccer ball with the instep of their right foot. The ball is positioned centrally in the frame, directly in front of their chest. The background is a soft, out-of-focus view of green trees and a pale, overcast sky, suggesting an outdoor sports complex.

Arts & Entertainment

Tim Payne, the World Cup’s fastest rising social media star, hits the field in Tampa this weekend

Despite England v. New Zealand’s star power, tickets are not selling for the match on Saturday.

by Liam Oliver June 4, 2026June 5, 2026

Kanye West speaking next to Jim Brown during a meeting with Donald Trump in the White House Oval Office.

Music

The guy who says he’s no longer a Nazi is performing in Tampa

Fans interested in this sort of stuff may be able to score free tickets if they sign up for his mailing list.

by Colin Wolf May 23, 2026May 26, 2026

In this sleek, high-fashion editorial photograph by Julian Buchan, R&B icons Chris Brown and Usher are captured in a moment of shared laughter. Set against a minimalist, bright white studio background, the two artists sit in modern, chrome-framed chairs, both dressed in sharp, all-black formal attire. On the left, Chris Brown leans back with an exuberant smile, his head tilted toward Usher. He wears an unbuttoned black blazer that reveals his extensive neck and chest tattoos, paired with wide-legged trousers and polished black brogues. To the right, Usher exudes a more composed but equally joyful energy, sitting with his legs crossed and a hand adjusting his lapel. He wears a tailored black suit with a black dress shirt and tie, complemented by dark sunglasses and gleaming patent leather shoes.

Music

Usher and Chris Brown are coming to Tampa this winter to close out their stadium tour

Hey, daddy.

by Josh Bradley April 14, 2026April 14, 2026

Musician Zach Bryan wearing a light blue denim shirt and sitting on a brown leather couch in a room with wood-paneled walls. The person has visible tattoos on their arms and looks off-camera; framed photos are on the wall behind them.

Music

Moody country star Zach Bryan plays second Tampa stadium concert this weekend

He is joined by a stellar supporting cast that includes Ohio pop-folk darling Caamp.

by Ray Roa March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

A photo of Post Malone performing with a green background next to a photo of Jelly Roll performing with an orange background.

Music

Post Malone and Jelly Roll bring ‘Big Ass Stadium Tour’ to Tampa this Spring

Fresh off a triple-Grammy win, Jelly Roll is ready to get political.

by Selene San Felice February 3, 2026February 3, 2026

Two shirtless people celebrate in the stands of a large, crowded outdoor stadium at night. The individual on the left wears a white Tampa Bay Lightning baseball cap and sunglasses, holding up a black shirt and making a "rock on" hand gesture. The individual on the right wears a white bandana around their neck, a patterned headband, and teal-framed sunglasses. In the background, thousands of fans fill the stadium seats under bright arena lights, with a large video scoreboard visible in the distance.

Arts & Entertainment

Photos: At NHL Stadium Series, Tampa Bay Lightning fans get the best game ever

by Ray Roa and Nicole Abbett February 3, 2026February 3, 2026

Actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in an intimate shower scene from the HBO Max series 'Heated Rivalry.'

Arts & Entertainment

‘Heated Rivalry’ fans, don’t forget Tampa Bay has hockey IRL

There’s a rare chance to see the guys and their sticks out in the sunlight.

by Selene San Felice January 23, 2026January 23, 2026

A professional group photograph taken in the Oval Office showing President Joe Biden standing with all seven members of the South Korean pop group BTS. Everyone is dressed in dark formal suits, and they are all performing the "finger heart" hand gesture.

Music

K-pop supergroup BTS is coming to Tampa this spring

UPDATE: The shows are at Raymond James Stadium, as presumed.

by Ray Roa January 13, 2026January 13, 2026

A musician sits at a grand piano in a recording studio, hands on the keys, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a patterned button-down shirt. Microphones, a drum kit, and studio equipment are visible in the background, captured in black and white.

Music

Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak are coming to Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium this fall

It’s Mars’ first headline tour in nearly a decade.

by Ray Roa January 8, 2026January 8, 2026

A Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback in a white uniform runs with the football, successfully evading a low tackle attempt by a San Francisco 49ers defender.

Arts & Entertainment

It’s too early to be talking like this, but Baker Mayfield played an MVP-level game on Sunday

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took down San Francisco and are on top of the NFC.

by Carter Brantley October 13, 2025October 16, 2025

Two football players are engaged in a play on the field. A player from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a white jersey with the number 25 is pushing off a player from the Philadelphia Eagles, who is wearing a teal jersey with the number 11 and a winged helmet.

Arts & Entertainment

Mistakes doom Bucs who almost came back for a win against the champs

On the bright side, Bucs kicker Chase McLaughlin managed to set a new longest field goal record for Tampa Bay.

by Carter Brantley September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

Jamel Dean of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, wearing a white No. 35 jersey with red and gold trim, smiles as he walks off the field after a game at Raymond James Stadium. Teammates, including one holding a helmet, and staff members are gathered in the background under the bright afternoon sun.

Arts & Entertainment

Check your blood pressure, but fire the cannons—the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 3-0 for the first time in 20 years

The creamsicle crew overcame special teams woes and injuries to beat the New York Jets on a buzzer-beating kick.

by Carter Brantley September 21, 2025September 21, 2025

U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team players celebrate on stage with medals and confetti after winning a championship, holding up the trophy and cheering together.

Sports & Recreation

USMNT’s 2026 World Cup prep includes Tampa match against Uruguay

The friendly match happens this fall at Raymond James.

by Emily McLaughlin September 17, 2025September 18, 2025