What Happened to Oakland Athletics?
The Oakland Athletics, after decades of playing in Oakland and numerous failed attempts to secure a new stadium, received approval from Major League Baseball to relocate to Las Vegas. They concluded their tenure in Oakland after the 2024 season and are currently playing their home games temporarily in West Sacramento, California, while their new permanent stadium is under construction on the Las Vegas Strip, with an anticipated opening in 2028.
Quick Answer
The Oakland Athletics are in the process of relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada. Following their final season in Oakland in 2024, the team moved to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, where they will play temporarily from 2025 through 2027, with an option for 2028. Construction is actively underway on their new $2 billion stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, which is anticipated to be ready for the 2028 MLB season. During their temporary residency, the team is officially known simply as 'the Athletics' and has faced attendance challenges in Sacramento.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Franchise Relocates to Oakland
The Athletics franchise moves from Kansas City to Oakland, California, beginning its 57-year tenure in the city.
Three Consecutive World Series Titles
The 'Swingin' A's' era sees the team win three consecutive World Series championships, establishing a dynasty in Oakland.
Wins Fourth World Series in Oakland
The Oakland Athletics win their fourth World Series title, defeating the San Francisco Giants in the 'Bay Bridge Series'.
John Fisher Buys the Team
John Fisher acquires the Oakland Athletics, marking the beginning of an ownership era characterized by persistent efforts to secure a new stadium.
Howard Terminal Ballpark Project Proposed
The A's propose a new waterfront ballpark at Howard Terminal in Oakland, a 35,000-seat venue with mixed-use development, which becomes the focus of stadium efforts.
MLB Permits Relocation Exploration
Major League Baseball grants the Athletics permission to explore relocation options if they fail to secure a new stadium in Oakland by 2024.
Nevada Governor Signs Stadium Funding Bill
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo signs SB1, a bill pledging $380 million in public funds for a new MLB stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, solidifying the team's path to relocation.
MLB Owners Unanimously Approve Las Vegas Relocation
Major League Baseball owners vote unanimously to approve the Athletics' relocation from Oakland to Las Vegas, making the move official.
Temporary Move to Sacramento Announced
The Athletics announce they will play their home games at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for the 2025, 2026, and 2027 seasons, with an option for 2028, as an interim home before Las Vegas.
Final Game at Oakland Coliseum
The Oakland Athletics play their last game at the Oakland Coliseum, ending their 57-year history in the city.
Las Vegas Stadium Groundbreaking Ceremony
A ceremonial groundbreaking is held for the new Athletics stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, officially commencing construction of the permanent home.
Six 'Home' Games in Las Vegas Announced for 2026
The Athletics announce they will play six regular-season 'home' games at Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin, Nevada, in June 2026, providing an early taste of MLB in the market.
Second Season in West Sacramento Begins
The Athletics embark on their second year of temporary residency at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for the 2026 MLB season.
Las Vegas Stadium Construction Progresses
Construction on the Las Vegas stadium continues, with concrete pouring for the second level and the assembly of a large crane for the roof structure underway.
Current Status: 11-11 Record
As of today, the Oakland Athletics (playing as 'the Athletics' in Sacramento) hold an 11-11 record in the 2026 MLB season.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Oakland Athletics' journey to relocation is a culmination of decades-long stadium issues and a contentious relationship between the team's ownership and the city of Oakland. The franchise, which had previously moved from Philadelphia to Kansas City before settling in Oakland in 1968, spent 57 seasons in the city, winning four World Series titles.
The primary catalyst for the move was the team's inability to secure a new, modern ballpark to replace the aging Oakland Coliseum. Efforts to develop a new stadium, most notably the Howard Terminal project, spanned many years but ultimately stalled due to various political, financial, and logistical hurdles. Team owner John Fisher, who purchased the team in 2005, had long expressed a desire for a new venue, with previous relocation attempts considered for cities like Fremont and San Jose.
In May 2021, Major League Baseball granted the Athletics permission to explore relocation options if a new stadium deal in Oakland couldn't be reached. This opened the door for serious negotiations with Las Vegas. A significant turning point came in June 2023 when Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo signed a bill pledging $380 million in taxpayer money towards a new $1.5 billion (later revised to $2 billion) Major League Baseball stadium on the Las Vegas Strip. In November 2023, MLB owners unanimously approved the Athletics' application to relocate to Las Vegas.
As their lease at the Oakland Coliseum expired after the 2024 season, the Athletics announced in April 2024 that they would play their home games temporarily at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, home of the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, for the 2025, 2026, and 2027 seasons, with an option for 2028. This interim period is intended to bridge the gap until their new Las Vegas stadium is completed. The move to Sacramento has been met with mixed reactions, and the team has faced criticism for not formally adopting 'Sacramento' into its name, leading to continued attendance challenges.
As of April 21, 2026, the Athletics are in their second season of temporary play in West Sacramento. Construction on the Las Vegas stadium is actively progressing on the former Tropicana Las Vegas site. Recent updates from April 2026 show crews pouring concrete for the second level deck and assembling a large crane ('Big Red') that will be used to erect the roof structure, expected to begin in June 2026. The team is also scheduled to play six 'home' games at Las Vegas Ballpark in June 2026 to introduce the franchise to its future permanent market. The 2026 Athletics currently hold an 11-11 record.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Oakland Athletics made different choices?