As Las Vegas prepares for its entry into Major League Baseball, the Athletics have officially broken ground on their new ballpark situated on the Strip, as reported by FOX5 Vegas. The ceremony marks significant progress towards the MLB debut expected in the 2028 season. Strategically located at Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard, the stadium is expected to bring a fresh dynamic to the city's sports scene.
The Athletics, who recently finalized their stint in Oakland, are to play their upcoming seasons at West Sacramento's Sutter Health Park until their $1.75 billion Las Vegas stadium is complete. A's Owner and President, Mark Badain, expressed the extent of efforts that led to this milestone, emphasizing the hard work invested over the past four years. "People just don't understand everything that went into just getting to today," Badain told 8 News Now.
The site, which will span nine of the available 26 acres, is slated to include a 30,000-seat ballpark, with additional standing room for 3,000, and promises to feature the largest Jumbotron in Major League Baseball at 18,000 square feet. Alongside the stadium, plans indicate the development of a new resort, ample entertainment spaces, and retail offerings, aiming to attract the city's strong local fanbase as well as the expansive tourist population that Las Vegas annually draws.
In a statement obtained by FOX5 Vegas, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred appeared confident in the project's timeline, asserting that he expects the stadium "to be on time to go in 2028." The Athletics have even opened up ticket reservations, allowing fans to secure their future seats with a $19.01 deposit, a subtle homage to the year the franchise was founded. Badain also reflected on the prospect of drawing an international fanbase: "We hope that — over time — we will convince those fans to become A’s fans," he told 8 News Now.
