Oakland Athletics Relocation to Las Vegas Marks MLB Shift

The Oakland Athletics are set to relocate to Las Vegas, marking a significant shift in Major League Baseball's landscape and concluding the team's 57-year tenure in Oakland. The move is highlighted by plans for a $1.75 billion stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, with completion targeted for the 2028 MLB season.

The relocation process began on November 16, 2023, when MLB owners unanimously approved the Athletics' move to Las Vegas. Subsequently, on April 20, 2023, the team secured a binding agreement to purchase land near the Las Vegas Strip for the new stadium. Stadium renderings unveiled on March 5, 2024, showcased a distinctive design featuring five overlapping layers, drawing comparisons to the Sydney Opera House. To accommodate the construction period, the Athletics announced on April 4, 2024, plans to play their home games at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, during the 2025-2027 MLB seasons. The Nevada Supreme Court dismissed an effort to place the stadium's public funding on the 2024 ballot on May 13, 2024, allowing the project to proceed without a public vote. The team played its final home game at the Oakland Coliseum on September 26, 2024, and the Tropicana hotel and casino, the future site of the new stadium, was demolished on October 9, 2024. The projected cost of the new stadium increased by $250 million to $1.75 billion on December 1, 2024, due to inflation and design enhancements. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the former Tropicana site on June 23, 2025, attended by team owner John Fisher, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, and local dignitaries.

The planned stadium will have a seating capacity of 33,000, making it the smallest in MLB. Its design includes a fixed roof and innovative amenities such as under-seat cooling systems and a split lower bowl to enhance the fan experience. The exterior features five overlapping layers, drawing comparisons to the Sydney Opera House.

The $1.75 billion project is financed through a combination of private and public funds. Athletics owner John Fisher has committed $1.1 billion, supplemented by a $300 million loan from U.S. Bank and Goldman Sachs. Nevada and Clark County have approved up to $380 million in public funding, comprising tax credits and revenue from a special tax district.

During the construction period, the Athletics are playing their home games at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California. This arrangement is set to continue through the 2027 MLB season, with an option for a fourth season if construction delays occur.

The relocation of the Athletics to Las Vegas signifies MLB's expansion into a city that has rapidly become a hub for professional sports, already hosting the NFL's Raiders, NHL's Golden Knights, and WNBA's Aces. This move is expected to boost the local economy through job creation, increased tourism, and enhanced entertainment options. However, it also marks the loss of Oakland's last major professional sports team, following the departures of the Raiders and the Golden State Warriors, raising concerns about the city's ability to retain and support major sports franchises.

The relocation and stadium construction have involved complex legal and political processes, including securing public funding, navigating local and state approvals, and addressing opposition efforts such as the failed ballot initiative to repeal public funding.

The Athletics' move to Las Vegas follows a pattern of professional sports teams relocating to the city, reflecting its growing appeal as a sports destination. This trend contrasts with Oakland's recent history of losing major sports franchises, highlighting the challenges faced by cities in retaining professional teams amid economic and infrastructural considerations.

As the Athletics transition to their new home, the move underscores the evolving dynamics of professional sports franchises and the strategic decisions involved in relocation, stadium financing, and community engagement.