Key facts
- The Oakland Athletics are playing a six-game regular-season homestand in Las Vegas.
- All games sold out, with average attendance around 8,500 despite high temperatures.
- The team is actively engaging in community events to build a fanbase in Las Vegas.
- Players toured the construction site of the A's future $2 billion domed stadium.
- The A's are slated to relocate to Las Vegas permanently in 2028.
The Oakland Athletics are currently playing a sold-out six-game homestand in Las Vegas, a city they are slated to relocate to permanently in 2028. This marks the first time in 30 years the team has played regular-season games in Las Vegas, with the previous instance occurring in 1996 due to renovations at the Oakland Coliseum.
Fans have shown strong support, with all games selling out and an average attendance of around 8,500, despite temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Outfielder Lawrence Butler noted the positive fan reaction, stating that fans booed opposing chants and cheered for the A's, a sentiment he found encouraging.
The team is actively engaging with the Las Vegas community through various events, including youth clinics and hospital visits, to cultivate a fanbase ahead of their relocation. Players like Nick Kurtz expressed enthusiasm for building this connection, seeing it as important for the team's future.
Players were given a private tour of the construction site for the A's new $2 billion, 33,000-capacity domed stadium on the Strip. Manager Mark Kotsay reported that the team was excited by the progress, particularly seeing the foundations for amenities like the locker room.
Several players, including catcher Shea Langeliers, have prior connections to Las Vegas through the A's Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas Aviators, and recalled positive experiences playing in the city. The presence of the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final during the homestand highlights Las Vegas's growing status as a sports city.