The Athletics officially broke ground on a $1.75 billion stadium in Las Vegas, marking a new chapter set to begin with the 2028 MLB season
20:35 ET, 23 Jun 2025Updated 20:37 ET, 23 Jun 2025
The Oakland A’s agreed to move to Las Vegas on November 16, 2023, when MLB team owners approved the relocation(Image: Getty)
Las Vegas on Monday marked a watershed moment in sports history as the Athletics officially broke ground on a stunning new $1.75 billion ballpark that will relocate the franchise from Northern California.
Against a backdrop of construction vehicles and the precise spot where home plate will sit, A’s owner John Fisher declared with conviction, “We are Vegas’ team.” Beside him stood MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who made a recent admission about Donald Trump, as well former A’s legends Rollie Fingers and Dave Stewart, local politicians, Little Leaguers, and a crowd of fans ready to witness the beginning of the next chapter.
The ambitious 33,000-seat stadium is planned to open for the 2028 season in nine acres of land on the former Tropicana site at Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard.
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Nevada and Clark County have pledged up to $380 million in public funds, with the remainder coming from private sources including Fisher’s family — who have committed over $1.1 billion — to cover rising costs due to inflation and added amenities.
Team president Marc Badain, who oversaw the Raiders move to Allegiant Stadium, assured the crowd he has “no doubt” it will be done in 2028.
The stadium’s architecture is already drawing attention. Its fixed roof echoes the iconic curves of the Sydney Opera House, featuring five overlapping layers designed for desert cooling and natural light.
A transparent glass wall in the outfield will frame breathtaking views of the Las Vegas Strip, and innovative under-seat cooling will ensure fan comfort in the valley’s scorching heat.
The move marks the first major relocation for an American League team since 1972 and MLB’s first since 2005.
The A’s played their final season in the worn-out Oakland Coliseum before relocating temporarily to a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento for the next three years.
Their departure follows years of failed stadium plans in Oakland and widespread disillusionment among fans who protested what they saw as a disrespectful handling of the team’s future.
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Officials liken the A’s move to the success story of the NFL’s Raiders, whose relocation and stadium build in 2020 proved Las Vegas to be a viable major league market.
The A’s are now poised to join the city’s professional sports lineup alongside the Raiders, NHL’s Golden Knights, and WNBA’s Aces.
As excavation begins, it’s more than just concrete and dirt — it’s the dawn of a new sports era in Las Vegas.
Plans include hotels, gaming, and entertainment integrated into the complex. By Opening Day 2028, the Athletics aim not only to bring baseball back to Las Vegas, but to redefine the fan experience — on and off the field.