The Oakland A’s are officially moving—to Sacramento.
In a joint release, A’s owner John Fisher and Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé—who owns the minor league team that currently plays in Sacramento—announced the A’s will play their home games at Sutter Health Park from 2025 to ’27 ahead of a planned move to Nevada in ’28.
“I’m thrilled to welcome the A’s to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans alike can enjoy a world-class baseball experience and create unforgettable memories,” Ranadivé said in a release. “Today marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento.”
Officials from the A’s met with local officials Wednesday, a day after they met with the city of Oakland and Alameda County and came away far apart on a deal to remain the Bay Area. The city had asked for $97 million whether the team played in the Coliseum for three years or longer. That was a significant increase over what the team had been paying in rent and made the Sacramento move likely.
The deal has an option for a fourth year, should the Las Vegas ballpark not be ready in time. A team spokesperson told The Athletic that the team will have no city name attached while it plays in Sacramento.
The Giants’ Triple A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, currently play in Sutter Health Park. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the A’s plan to play in Sacramento while the River Cats are on the road.
Playing in Sutter Health Park could be an adjustment for players used to major league amenities, and the ballpark itself is snug by MLB standards. The ballpark barely fits MLB’s minimum dimensions with 325 feet to right field, the required minimum distance from home plate, 403 feet to center and 330 to left. “The MLBPA has had preliminary discussions with MLB about a range of issues related to the temporary relocation, and we expect those discussions to continue,” a union spokesperson told FOS.
Former MLB pitcher Trevor Hildenberger, who pitched for the River Cats in 2023, said the stadium was far short of big league standards. “No family room, no mother’s room, no shade or bathrooms in the bullpens, only 1 shared batting cage,” Hildenberger wrote Thursday. “If you thought the coliseum facilities were lacking …”
“We look forward to making Sutter Home Park our home through our move to Las Vegas,” Fisher said in the statement. “We extend our appreciation to the Kings and the city of West Sacramento for hosting the A’s while we work to complete our new ballpark in Las Vegas.”
The A’s quest for a new ballpark has been erratic as the organization has mishandled renderings and timelines among numerous other issues. Las Vegas mayor Carolyn Goodman previously told Front Office Sports Today that the team’s current planned location in Vegas “does not make sense.”
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has wanted a Vegas plan from the A’s for some time. Manfred has said it would be a disappointment if the A’s can’t pull off their Vegas move by 2028. He will step down as commissioner in ’29.
“On behalf of all of MLB, I want to express my appreciation to West Sacramento, Sutter Health Park, the Kings and the greater Sacramento region for their excitement to host the A’s for interim play, as the A’s new permanent home is built in Las Vegas,” Manfred said.
This breaking news story has been updated.
