Aaron Holmes 
The Oakland A’s are making history with an unprecedented move after calling Oakland home for 57 years. Baseball fans across the country have their eyes on the team’s temporary shift to Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park – the first step in a journey that will end up in Las Vegas.
This move means more than just switching ballparks. The minor league park has undergone a $40 million makeover to serve as a temporary MLB venue, and Sacramento’s sports scene is already feeling the buzz with 2025 season tickets sold out. The team shows its split allegiance through uniforms that proudly display both Sacramento’s Tower Bridge and Las Vegas patches.
The temporary Sacramento move stands out as one of baseball’s most intriguing stories. From major facility upgrades to the logistics of sharing space with the Triple-A River Cats, the A’s are navigating a unique path toward their permanent Las Vegas home in 2028.
From Oakland to Sacramento: The A’s Controversial Journey
The A’s bid farewell to Oakland Coliseum on September 26, 2024, closing their 57-year chapter in the East Bay. Fans showed up more than five hours before the first pitch, and the stadium ended up packed with 46,889 people – no other Major League team’s final home game in a city ever drew such a crowd [1]. The crowd wore green “SELL” shirts and their voices rang out with both “Let’s go Oakland” and “Sell the team” chants throughout the day [2].
Mark Kotsay, who spent 14 years with the team as player, coach and manager, spoke to the crowd after their 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers. “Today was an emotional day all around, from the time I drove in to right now,” Kotsay said. “I’m still kind of reeling right now… This is where home began and this is, hopefully, where home finishes” [1].
The Final Days at the Oakland Coliseum
Players and fans grabbed pieces of history during the final game’s surrounding hours. The grounds crew helped fans collect dirt from the field as keepsakes, and players joined in too [1]. Fans stayed glued to their seats for over 15 minutes after the game, soaking in their last moments of A’s baseball in Oakland [2].
The emotional goodbye came after lease extension talks between the city and the A’s fell apart before they could take off [1]. Oakland made a last-ditch five-year offer in March 2024 with a three-year opt-out clause and a $97 million “extension fee,” but the team shot it down about a week later [3].
Why the A’s Chose Sacramento as Temporary Home
The A’s needed a temporary spot after announcing their Las Vegas plans in April 2023, as their new stadium wouldn’t open until 2028. Sacramento stood out as the best choice for practical reasons. The city’s proximity to Oakland meant the team could keep more of their $67 million NBC Sports California TV contract compared to other options like Salt Lake City [4].
Sutter Health Park, home to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, offered a ready-made facility they could upgrade to MLB standards. The A’s secured a three-year deal to play in West Sacramento from 2025-2027, with an extra year option if their Las Vegas stadium faced delays [4].
Not everyone loved this move. Oakland locals saw the Sacramento announcement as a bargaining chip, especially after news broke about talks to give Oakland an expansion team in exchange for letting the A’s stay at the Coliseum during the transition [5].
The $40 million Renovation of Sutter Health Park
The minor league park’s transformation into an MLB venue cost north of $40 million [6]. Key upgrades include:
- A massive 75′ x 32′ main video display in right-center field [6]
- Advanced field tech with Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass and AirPAT systems for better root zone oxygen and moisture control [6]
- A modern two-story clubhouse with better training facilities [6]
- Bigger dugouts and bullpens that fit MLB teams [7]
- Major network improvements with 125 HPE Networking Wireless Access Points [6]
The renovations added new premium areas like “The Rooftop” – a group space in home run territory with its own food and drink service [6]. Concession stands got digital menu boards and new Clover Sport POS systems to serve fans faster [6].
River Cats and Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé, who owns a small piece of the A’s, played a big part in the upgrades. The River Cats and Kings organizations, not the A’s, ran the day-to-day renovation work [6].
The A’s 2025 season tickets in Sacramento sold out by January 2025, showing strong local support for their temporary stay [8].
Inside Sutter Health Park: A New Baseball Experience
The A’s move to Sutter Health Park in 2025 means a big step down in size. This minor league ballpark fits about 14,000 people total, counting seats, outfield lawn, and standing room. That’s tiny compared to the Oakland Coliseum’s baseball capacity of 46,765 [9]. The A’s new home is less than a third the size of a regular Major League Baseball stadium [10].
Comparing MLB vs. Minor League Facilities
The field’s measurements are surprisingly close to the Coliseum: 330 feet to left field (similar), 403 feet to center field (3 feet more than Oakland’s 400), and 325 feet to right field (5 feet less than Oakland’s 330) [11]. The similarities stop there.
The stadium shows its minor league roots even after a $40 million renovation. Commissioner Rob Manfred used real estate jargon when he called such venues “intimate” and “charming” [10] – a nice way to say an MLB team is playing in Triple-A digs.
The biggest upgrades include:
- A new 75-by-32-foot video board in right-center field for replays and statistics [12]
- Expanded dugouts to major-league dimensions [12]
- Better dugout bathrooms and a new dark green batter’s eye [12]
- A new state-of-the-art two-story clubhouse with dedicated player training areas [13]
The stadium still has its issues. Players can’t use tunnels between dugouts and clubhouses like in major league parks. A’s players walk down the left field line through a gate, while visitors take a long walk through an opening in center field [12].
Player Reactions to the Downsized Environment
“Visually the fact that there’s not a third deck will be something to adjust to, but every single one of the guys here have played in the minor leagues at some point in their careers,” reliever Mason Miller told the Mirror Sport U.S. “At the end of the day, it’s something we’re going to adapt to. It’s our home stadium, so we’re going to play there with pride” [1].
Trevor May, who used to pitch for the A’s and played at Sutter Health Park during rehab assignments, sees similarities in both parks with tough winds. “The Coliseum was a huge pitchers park anyway, so it’s the same thing. If anything, it probably plays a little more to the hitters’ advantage than the Coliseum” [2].
Outfielder Lawrence Butler sees a possible edge: “Say the Yankees come from playing in front of however many they sell out, and then they gotta come to a Triple-A stadium. It might take teams a while to get used to. So we might have an advantage like that earlier on in the year” [1].
The visiting team’s space creates another challenge. The A’s get a new two-story clubhouse while visiting teams deal with what’s called “the smallest clubhouse in the majors” [12]. Former MLB player and River Cats radio host Leon Lee puts it simply: “Nowadays, Major League Baseball players are so spoiled, so they have to have a lot of space in the locker room area” [2].
Fan Experience in a More Intimate Setting
Fans will experience games differently in this smaller venue. Instead of spreading out in a huge stadium, they’ll create a packed atmosphere. The A’s drew 11,386 fans per game in Oakland during 2024 [11] – already less than Sutter Health Park’s capacity.
“I actually think it’s gonna be electric,” Butler said. “It’s gonna be a sold-out ballpark – no matter the size a sold-out ballpark is gonna be electric. Fans are gonna be loud, energy’s gonna be there” [1].
The park offers wheelchair and companion seats on every level and price range, with power outlets at many wheelchair spots [14]. Groups of 20-130 can enjoy food and drinks in select open-air hospitality areas [14].
The team has seen huge interest – 74,000 people tried to get Opening Day tickets against the Cubs, which sold out before public sale [11].
The Sacramento Community’s Mixed Reception
The A’s arrival in Sacramento has stirred mixed reactions from local business and sports communities. This move brings both economic opportunities and raises questions about identity.
The Local Business Impact and Economic Boost
The A’s temporary stay promises to bring roughly $4 million in lodging revenue and more than half a million dollars in related taxes [5]. MLB players get a $117.50 daily per diem for meals when teams don’t provide food [5]. Restaurant owners see this as great news.
Barry Broome, President of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, sees the economic benefits similar to what a university brings to town [4]. He points to the Kings as a good example – they brought $665 million in 2022-2023 to the area through arena operations and visitor spending [3].
West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero believes “this will bring economic prosperity here for all our restaurants” and expects thousands of new jobs [4]. Local businesses have started planning ahead. One restaurant owner even thought about adding calamari to attract fans from the Bay Area [15].
The tourism numbers tell an interesting story. Sacramento welcomed 15 million tourists in 2019, which brought about $4 billion to the local economy [3]. The numbers dropped to $1.8 billion in 2020 during the pandemic but bounced back to $3.9 billion by 2022 [3].
The Sacramento Kings Partnership and Cross-Promotion
The Kings organization has helped smooth the A’s transition. Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé, who bought the River Cats and Sutter Health Park in 2022 [5], played a vital role in making this happen.
Ranadivé shared his excitement: “I’m thrilled to welcome the A’s to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans alike can enjoy a world-class baseball experience” [16]. The Kings and A’s have since created joint promotional plans to boost both teams’ visibility.
This teamwork shows Sacramento’s growing ambitions in pro sports. Mayor Guerrero suggests the city’s response to the A’s could serve as “a sort of audition toward a future MLB expansion team for the Sacramento region” [17].
Identity crisis: Why they’re not the ‘Sacramento A’s’
Unlike most team moves, the A’s dropped “Oakland” from their name but didn’t add “Sacramento” [6]. Team guidelines say to use “Athletics” (or “A’s” after first mention), with “ATH” as the official designation in box scores [6].
This nameless identity puts the team in an odd spot – they’re “a team from nowhere, in transit” [15]. They’ll wear a Tower Bridge patch on their uniforms to represent Sacramento, but keep their distance from their temporary home.
The team chose this approach in part because they play in West Sacramento, not Sacramento proper [7], and because they plan to move to Las Vegas.
Challenges of Sharing a Stadium with the River Cats
Sutter Health Park faces unique operational challenges as it prepares to host both an MLB team and a Triple-A franchise. The 2025 season brings an unusual setup with more than 156 games scheduled on a single field—81 for the A’s and 75 for the River Cats [8].
Field Maintenance Concerns with Two Teams
Murray Cook, MLB’s official field consultant, acknowledged the exceptional nature of this arrangement: “It is a bit uncharted to have a major league team, a minor league team, you know, share a field for an entire season” [18].
The park has installed state-of-the-art field technology to handle these challenges:
- AirPAT systems that boost root zone oxygen and control subsurface temperatures [19]
- Drone monitoring, infrared scanning, and infield moisture sensors that deliver up-to-the-minute data on turf health [20]
- Advanced fertilizer injection systems that create ideal growing conditions while using less water [20]
“We thought to put together a great plan with the Cats and the folks involved with the player association and all the right people,” Cook noted, emphasizing their shared approach to keeping the playing surface safe [18].
Scheduling Complexities and Solutions
The task of coordinating two different league schedules demands meticulous planning. The A’s schedule must align with the River Cats—playing in Sacramento when the minor league team is away and vice versa [21]. Officials describe this as “an extremely challenging logistical ordeal” [21].
Heat management stands as another crucial concern. Most A’s home games will take place at night. Sunday games will start at 1 p.m. to meet MLB’s network broadcast requirements [21]. Weekday day games will begin at 12:35 p.m. [21].
Visitor Clubhouse Limitations
The visitor facilities present one of the biggest practical challenges. The A’s enjoy a new two-story clubhouse while visiting MLB teams must use what’s called “the smallest clubhouse in the majors” [12].
The stadium lacks tunnels between dugouts and clubhouses. Visiting players must “trek through the opening in center field” to reach their facilities [12]. Players appreciate one new addition: bathrooms in the bullpens [22].
Looking Ahead: The Las Vegas A’s Stadium Plans
The A’s will begin building their permanent Las Vegas home in spring 2025. This $1.5-1.75 billion stadium marks the end of their exceptional baseball experience. The team will transform from a temporary visitor to a permanent fixture in the desert.
Timeline for the Las Vegas Move
The A’s want to start construction between April and June 2025. They expect the project to take 31-33 months [23]. Their goal is to finish by January 2028, ready for Opening Day that season [24]. The Sacramento agreement has a fourth-year option just in case construction takes longer [25].
Legal issues might slow things down. The Nevada Supreme Court listened to arguments in April 2025 from the Schools Over Stadiums political action committee. They questioned the stadium funding bill [26]. A different PAC, supported by the Nevada State Education Association, filed a lawsuit. They challenged whether the money allocation follows the state constitution [11].
Stadium Design and Features
Bjarke Ingels Group and HNTB created the “spherical armadillo” design with these standout features:
- A cozy 33,000-seat layout that brings fans closer to the game [9]
- Five roof layers that overlap like baseball pennants and open toward the north [9]
- The Strip’s view through the world’s biggest cable-net glass window [9]
- MLB’s largest screen – an 18,000-square-foot jumbotron [9]
This $1.5 billion stadium will take up nine acres of the old Tropicana site’s 35 acres [9]. The Nevada legislature approved $380 million in public funding back in 2023. A’s owner John Fisher committed over $1 billion to the project [27].
How the Sacramento Experience Shapes Vegas Preparations
The team’s time in Sacramento gave them a great explanation about their future Las Vegas operations. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the A’s don’t need to rush their financing plans: “The closer you get, the more it looks like reality, the more it’s worth” [11].
The Sacramento stint taught them valuable lessons about creating great fan experiences in smaller venues. These insights will help them design their 33,000-seat Las Vegas stadium, which is nowhere near as big as typical MLB stadiums.
Conclusion
The A’s transition marks a groundbreaking chapter in American sports history. Their temporary move to Sacramento sparks controversy and shows how professional sports franchises continue to change. A $40 million upgrade to Sutter Health Park will create an intimate baseball experience, despite its smaller size compared to typical MLB venues. Local fans have already shown their support by buying all available season tickets.
The people of Sacramento have mixed feelings about this development, which raises questions about team identity and community connection. The economic outlook seems bright, but the A’s deliberate decision to avoid using “Sacramento” in their name highlights their temporary status. The team must also tackle the practical challenges of sharing facilities with the River Cats, which will test both organizations.
A $1.5 billion Las Vegas stadium remains the final destination in this complex journey. The A’s time in Sacramento will teach valuable lessons about balancing change with baseball’s rich traditions. This story shows how America’s oldest professional sports league continues to grow and adapt in surprising ways.
References
[1] – https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/athletics-sutter-health-park-mlb-1018192
[2] – https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/mlb-players-on-sutter-health-park/103-024988f7-6d55-4b28-ac64-e1b4a3410158
[3] – https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article287384455.html
[4] – https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/west-sacramento/as-business-impact-west-sacramento/103-c5b2bc1a-f5db-4032-8324-d314b2aed4a4
[5] – https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/04/15/franchises/
[6] – https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/sacramento-athletics-oakland-as-no-more-brand-guidelines/
[7] – https://news.sportslogos.net/2024/11/04/athletics-officially-change-name-introduce-logos-for-sacramento/baseball/
[8] – https://www.abc10.com/article/sports/mlb/the-as/as-sacramento-sutter-health-park-game-day-guide-2025/103-c751f815-c999-4bf1-9a9e-639f5a2527d8
[9] – https://www.mlb.com/news/a-s-unveil-renderings-for-ballpark-in-las-vegas
[10] – https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44096180/mlb-2025-spring-training-oakland-athletics-tampa-bay-rays-minor-league-ballparks-sacramento
[11] – https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40206242/las-vegas-officials-say-stadium-line-met
[12] – https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/03/31/as-set-for-debut-at-sutter-health-park/
[13] – https://www.kcra.com/article/sutter-health-park-west-sacramento-upgrades-baseball-season/64267008
[14] – https://www.mlb.com/athletics/ballpark/information/guide
[15] – https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/04/14/oakland-as-sacramento-reactions/
[16] – https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/as-to-play-in-sacramento-for-three-seasons-kings-confirm/
[17] – https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2024/04/04/economic-impact-oakland-athletics-west-sac.html
[18] – https://fox40.com/sports/sutter-health-park-undergoes-major-league-transformation-for-athletics/
[19] – https://www.si.com/mlb/athletics/relocation/press-release-sutter-health-park-unveils-exciting-upgrades-01jq1zs0cwv7
[20] – https://www.mlb.com/news/athletics-announce-sutter-health-park-upgrades
[21] – https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/athletics/article/a-s-2025-scheduling-sacramento-faces-extreme-19565056.php
[22] – https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/giants/article/sutter-health-park-upgrades-it-s-pristine-20237001.php
[23] – https://www.ktvu.com/news/timeline-building-as-ballpark-la-vegas
[24] – https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/athletics/timeline-of-oakland-athletics-move-to-las-vegas-2940290/
[25] – https://www.abc10.com/article/sports/mlb/oakland-a/why-are-the-as-moving-to-sacramento-heres-what-led-up-to-the-relocation/103-a72d1834-e630-40e3-823c-c23586541d61
[26] – https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/as-officially-leaving-oakland-after-2024-will-play-in-sacramento-through-2027-until-vegas-stadium-is-ready/
[27] – https://lvsportsbiz.com/2025/02/22/athletics-in-geographic-transition-book-is-closed-in-oakland-three-years-in-sacramento-las-vegas-bound-in-2028-fans-want-to-see-stadium-construction-start-in-vegas-before-believing-as-move/