UPDATE: Foundation work for the Oakland Athletics’ new stadium in Las Vegas is officially complete, with project officials confirming they are on track to open the facility before the 2028 MLB season. The announcement was made during a meeting with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the $2 billion project.
“We are excited to report that we continue to be on schedule for the project,” stated Tyler Van Eeckhaut, project director for contractors Mortenson-McCarthy. The latest developments follow previous confirmations at December meetings, underscoring the project’s steady progress.
The A’s have made a substantial investment in the new venue, with $300 million already spent on the 33,000-seat domed ballpark. Notably, the team has not yet requested any public financing, despite Nevada and Clark County approving up to $380 million in public funds for the construction.
During the meeting, Sandy Dean, vice chairman of the Athletics, expressed optimism about the ongoing construction: “It’s good to be here on a day in which we have a lot of tangible progress to report.” He highlighted that two of the stadium’s buttresses are finished, with work underway on the lower suite level and main concourse.
The urgency around the project is palpable, especially as the A’s prepare for the upcoming season. Currently, the team is playing its second of three seasons at a Triple-A stadium in West Sacramento, California, after relocating from Oakland, where they spent 57 seasons. The A’s are set to play two preseason games against the Los Angeles Angels in Las Vegas on March 7-8, 2024, with tickets for regular-season games selling out within 24 hours of their release.
The approval from the Stadium Authority also allows the A’s to sell personal-seat licenses (PCLs) for select high-end seating areas, a strategy that has proven successful for other MLB teams. A’s President Marc Badain noted, “We have a season-ticket deposit list of over 20,000. The demand was there, so we’re going to utilize that to help with the project.”
Badain also assured fans that more affordable ticket options are in the works, with seats priced at $20 and $30 aimed at families. As the A’s build their presence in Las Vegas, the ongoing construction and community engagement suggest a bright future for MLB in the region.
The ceremonial groundbreaking for the stadium took place on June 23, 2023, and the A’s Ballpark Experience Center has already opened to fans in December, offering immersive experiences related to the new stadium.
With construction progressing and fan interest surging, all eyes will be on the Athletics as they continue to navigate their transition to Las Vegas. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
