Big things are on the horizon for Tampa Bay, and the area has a slew of exciting things to look forward to, including new theme park attractions, Michelin-starred chefs, a dog cruise, a completed Howard Frankland Bridge and more.

Here are some of the most anticipated new things coming to Tampa Bay over the next 12 months.

Messi is coming to Tampa On Feb. 14, Orlando City Soccer Club and Inter Miami CF will compete in a preseason edition of the Florida Derby at Raymond James stadium, which means Lionel Messi will be in town. The GOAT—who isn’t necessarily guaranteed to hit the pitch—is supposed to also be joined by other superstars like Sergio Busquets, and Drake Callender (Inter Miami CF) as well as Facundo Torres, Pedro Gallese, and Duncan McGuire (OCSC).Read the full story here
Tampa is getting the country’s second largest planetarium Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) announced a multi-million-dollar upgrade that investors say will improve the STEM learning experience for students in Tampa Bay. Part of the upgrade brings the second-largest planetarium in the county to Tampa next year when the museum’s domed theater reopens with almost seven-times more capacity and new projection technology. MOSI’s upgraded dome at the new Saunders Planetarium is expected to open in the first half of 2025, and will now be 82 feet in diameter, second only to the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium in New Jersey, which has a diameter of 88.5 feet. It will feature an eight-story NanoSeam perforated metal screen and seat more than 300 people (compared to the 46 it currently accommodates). Read the full story here Credit: Photo by Keir Magoulas/Visit Tampa Bay
New realm Wild Oasis will debut at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay An all new kid-friendly area is coming to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay next year. Back in September the theme park unveiled plans for the new “Wild Oasis” realm, which will replace the Treetop Trails attraction in the Jungala area of Busch Gardens.”It’s been five years since guests last stepped foot in the tucked away realm of Treetop Trails in the Jungala area of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and we are thrilled to breathe new life into this corner of the park with the development of this realm,” said Stewart Clark, President of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in a statement. “The all-new Wild Oasis truly offers something for everyone – whether you love the thrill of the ride or learning about animals, getting wet or climbing high, or just cooling off under the shade of the rainforest canopy.” Not too many details were released by the park, but the new Wild Oasis realm will include a “newly reimagined” drop tower ride featuring digital and sound effects, a new interactive water play area, a new “multi-level climbing canopy,” and a new multi-species animal habitat. Read the full story here Credit: Rendering via Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
The Rays will finally play in Tampa A press release from the team says the Rays will play its 2025 home games at Tampa’s dome-free George M. Steinbrenner Field. The venue, located at 1 Steinbrenner Dr. across from Raymond James Stadium, is the Spring Training home of the New York Yankees, and home turf for New York’s Single-A affiliate, Tampa Tarpons (who are expected to play at nearby fields according to WFTS). In a statement, Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg thanked the Yankees for the loaner. “The hurricane damage to Tropicana Field has forced us to take some extraordinary steps, just as Hurricanes Helene and Milton have forced thousands of families and businesses in our community to adapt to new circumstances as we all recover and rebuild,” Sternberg—a multi-millionaire with a team worth more than a billion dollars—wrote. Read the full story here Credit: Photo via Chad Robertson Media / Shutterstock.com

The Howard Frankland Bridge Project should finally be over

Construction on the new $865.3 millionHoward Frankland Bridge Project is expected to wrap up in early 2025.As of now, drivers should expect to start crossing the newly widened bridge as early as this coming January or February.
Read the full story here Credit: Photo via FDOT
Tampa will be home to the first-ever dog cruise Avast, ye scurvy dogs, a literal cruise for dogs and their humans is sailing out of Tampa next year. Typically, only service dogs are allowed on cruise ships, but last month, Cruise Tails and Expedia Cruises of West Orlando announced the “first-ever dog-friendly cruise,” departing from Tampa in November 2025. The cruise, which be hosted on the Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander ship, will accommodate 250 seaworthy dogs and their parents and include “gifts and samples from top vendors, dog shows and trainings, guest speakers, costume contests, parades, and more,” says a press release. “Guests may participate in many onboard special activities with or without their dog, and a full support team will be available to ensure it’s easy-breezy sailing for everyone,” the release said. “While vacationing with their pet, guests can book with dog groomers, enjoy puppy massages, visit dog-friendly splash stations, and more.” Read the full story here Credit: Photo via Margaritaville at Sea
Outback founder and Chef Chris Ponte’s new waterfront concept No exact address announced One of “America’s Best Restaurants” is about to get a neighbor. Two prominent Tampa restaurateurs have teamed up for a second time to create a brand new concept waterfront restaurant. According to Tampa Bay Business Journal, the still-unnamed concept will open right next to Rattlesnake Point’s Salt Shack on the Bay, which appeared on the New York Times’ 2023 list of “America’s Best Restaurants.” Bob Bashman, known for founding Outback Steakhouse and PDQ chicken tender shacks across the Bay area, has teamed up with Chris Ponte, who created the Michelin Guide-recommended Ponte in Tampa. The duo previously teamed up in 2022 to open Bare Naked Kitchen, a fast-casual-style restaurant, in South Tampa. Basham and Ponte’s new restaurant is currently slated to open in the fall of 2025. Photo via Google Maps Credit: Photo via Google Maps
The NCAA Women’s Final 4 returns to Amalie Arena Women’s NCAA basketball has never been more popular, and so it’s pretty exciting that Tampa gets to host the Final Four next year when the NCAA Women’s Final Four comes back to Amalie Arena, beginning April 4. Tampa actually has a long history with the tourney, and has hosted the Women’s Final 4 in 2008, 2015 and 2019.Read the full story here
Outside of baggage claim at TPA “Hi, this is Mayor Jane Castor, I’d like to welcome you to this extra moist air.” Credit: Photo via Tampa International Airport/Facebook
Metallica’s giant ring of fire is coming to Tampa After 15 years away, Metallica is coming back to Tampa. Metallica’s M72 World Tour launched back in 2023, and now the nine-time Grammy Award winning metal outfit has added more dates, with Tampa in the mix next summer. Last September, the group behind hits like “Enter Sandman” and “Fade to Black” added 21 more North American dates for the M72 World Tour, and shared plans to bring their massive “in-the-round stage” to Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium for two nights on Friday, June 6 and Sunday, June 8. Read the full story here Credit: Photo via Metallica/website
The Savannah Bananas will play at Raymond James Hurricane Milton ripped the roof of Tropicana Field, so now the Savannah Bananas will play Ray Jay instead on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball are usually pretty hard to come by (it’s just a lottery system), and this will be the first time the Bananas and the Party Animals play at an NFL stadium. Read the full story here Credit: Photo via Savannah Bananas/Facebook
Willie Nelson is coming to Clearwater Don’t let the name of his 152nd album fool you, Willie Nelson is on the road again and headed to Florida for seven dates in the spring. The 91-year-old country music icon released Last Leaf On the Tree to kickoff November and is coming to the Bay area to support it. Willie Nelson will play the BayCare Sound in Clearwater on Saturday, Feb. 15. Other Florida dates on Nelson’s 2025 tour include Orlando, two stops in St. Augustine, Key West, Immokalee, and Pompano Beach. The 13-track outing, produced by his youngest son, Micah, Leaf features more Trigger than Nelson’s recent outings and includes covers of Tom Waits, Neil Young, Nina Simone, the Flaming Lips, Beck, and more. Read the full story here Credit: Press Photo by Matt Shaw
Behind a school field trip at the Florida Aquarium After you pass the group, you have to face the final boss: A mom with a four-seat stroller. Credit: Photo via Florida Aquarium/Facebook
Epic Universe will finally open Technically this is happening in Orlando, but it’s too epic not to include. After years of development and construction, Universal’s Epic Universe will open on May 22, 2025. Five immersive worlds come to life inside Epic Universe, Universal’s fourth park in Orlando. Towering portals will transport guests to Super Nintendo World, Ministries of Magic in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the monster-filled Dark Universe, an island of dragons inspired by “How to Train Your Dragon” and a futuristic steampunk realm known as Celestial Park. The new park also brings three new hotels to Orlando—the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, and the twin Terra Nova and Stella Luna resorts. The Helios Grand is an anchor hotel with a dedicated entrance into Epic Universe.Read the full story here
The St. Pete Athletic, Paddle & Social Club will debut in 2025 Debuting inside the former Factory location, a new pickleball facility and restaurant will debut in early 2025. The St. Pete Athletic, Paddle & Social Club will feature 14 pickleball courts, two paddle courts, six table tennis tables, and a restaurant and bar, as well as a craft beer concept.Read the full story here Credit: Photo via stpeteathletic.com
AC/DC will perform at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium this spring Power up, folks. AC/DC just announced its first U.S. tour in nearly a decade, and one of its 13 dates will take place in Tampa this May. AC/DC plays Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium on Friday, May 16. The last time the Aussie hard rock pioneers did a U.S. run, frontman Brian Johnson suffered from hearing issues, leading to Axl Rose infamously filling his vacancy. And while Johnson is returning to the fold for this run (along with founding band member and forever schoolboy Angus Young), the band isn’t the same one your dad knew and loved. Read the full story here Credit: Photo c/o Columbia Records
The new bigger Dead Bob’s will open The new bigger Dead Bob’s will open One of Tampa’s Bay most storied dive bars is finally getting a big upgrade. Dead Bob’s is moving down the street to 6475 Central Ave., and looking at a Jan. 1 open date. Opening out of the former, 2,030 square-foot home of Kay’s Family Restaurant, Dead Bob’s 2.0 will offer more seating and parking than its flagship plaza location, although its affordable selection of beer, wine, cocktails and classic bar fare isn’t going anywhere. Read the full story here Credit: Photo via Dead Bob's
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic will close 2025 tour in Tampa Bay Tampa Bay’s not in the express lane, but it is on the itinerary for a new tour by five-time Grammy-winning parodist “Weird Al” Yankovic. The 65-year-old kicks off his “Bigger & Weirder” 2025 in June and will wrap it right here in Florida by the fall. Yankovic promises “iconic hits as well as some never-performed-live-before fan favorites” for the show where his longtime band will be “joined by four additional players to create a super-sized concert experience.” Read the full story here Credit: Photo via Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock.com
Elliott Aster Credit: Rendering via The Vinoy
Jelly Roll Credit: Photo c/o BBR Music Group