Lady Gaga makes a triumphant return to Tampa with her "Monster Ball" tour in 2011

Last April when she was in town, Lady Gaga played the 1,100-seat The Ritz. This time around, she enjoys an arena-size upgrade when her tour stops at the St. Pete Times Forum. While the show doesn't actually take place until April 16, 2011, it has definite sell-out potential, so get your tickets early; sales starts this Saturday, October 2, beginning at noon. Here's the official release:

Lady Gaga has captivated audiences around the globe with her stunning international smash, The Monster Ball tour, presented by Virgin Mobile.  In 2010 the tour has taken her throughout Europe and North American, where she received rave reviews everywhere she stopped.  With the majority of North American dates already sold out, Lady Gaga has announced she will be extending her North American 2011 tour, now including a stop at Tampa’s St. Pete Times Forum on Saturday, April 16. The 2011 North American Monster Ball Tour, produced globally by Live Nation and presented by Virgin Mobile, will begin on February 19th, 2011 at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, taking her spectacular show to top arenas and a host of new cities.