Oakland Athletics Prepare for Las Vegas Move

Team navigates transition with young core, new stadium plans

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

The Oakland Athletics are in the midst of a complex transition as they prepare to relocate to Las Vegas. Despite a promising young position player group, the team faces challenges with its pitching staff while playing in the hitter-friendly environment of West Sacramento. Plans for a new state-of-the-art stadium in Las Vegas, funded in part by a $380 million public contribution, aim to create a unique fan experience and landmark destination on the Strip.

Why it matters

The A's relocation to Las Vegas marks the end of a 56-year run in Oakland and the second major sports franchise to leave the city for Nevada's gambling capital. The move provides valuable insights for other teams considering similar relocations, highlighting the importance of community engagement, stadium design, and maintaining team identity during periods of uncertainty.

The details

The A's boast a strong core of young position players locked into long-term contracts, providing a foundation for future success. However, the team's pitching staff remains a significant weakness, exacerbated by the hitter-friendly environment of their temporary home in West Sacramento. The planned Las Vegas ballpark, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and HNTB, will feature a tiered structure, a unique roof inspired by baseball pennants, and the world's largest cable-net glass window offering views of the Strip.

  • The A's will play six regular-season games in Las Vegas in 2026, offering a glimpse of their future home.
  • The new stadium in Las Vegas is currently slated to open in 2028.

The players

Oakland Athletics

A Major League Baseball team that is currently in the process of relocating from Oakland, California to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)

An architecture firm that is designing the A's new stadium in Las Vegas.

HNTB

An architecture and engineering firm that is also involved in the design of the A's new stadium in Las Vegas.

Joe Lombardo

The Governor of Nevada who approved a $380 million stadium bill (SB1) to help fund the construction of the A's new ballpark in Las Vegas.

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What’s next

The A's will play six regular-season games in Las Vegas in 2026 at their Triple-A ballpark in Summerlin, Nevada, offering a preview of their future home. The new stadium in Las Vegas is currently slated to open in 2028.

The takeaway

The A's relocation to Las Vegas provides valuable lessons for other sports franchises, highlighting the importance of community engagement, stadium design, and maintaining team identity during periods of transition. The new ballpark aims to be a landmark destination that integrates with the local community and offers a unique fan experience.