The A’s New Ballpark Breaks Ground

State and local officials and MLB leadership told the story of the Las Vegas Strip’s anticipated new economic driver and sports tourism centerpiece.

Just behind what will be home plate, key players in relocating the A’s to Las Vegas ceremonially broke ground on the landmark new A’s stadium. The groundbreaking of the A’s stadium on the Las Vegas Strip is the result of coordinated efforts by Nevada’s top officials, local organizations, and Major League Baseball’s leadership. Their work has brought the city its first MLB franchise and a new centerpiece for sports tourism—on track to open for the season in 2028.

Hundreds of luminaries and media attended the event, whose key figures included owner John Fisher, A’s executive Sandy Dean, and A’s team president Marc Badain. Local and state leaders, including Governor Joe Lombardo, Commissioner Jim Gibson, Congresswoman Dina Titus, Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, and Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority spoke, noting the thousands of jobs and boon to the economy bringing the A’s to Las Vegas will represent.

Local and State Leadership in Action

LVCVA’s Steve Hill played a central role in bringing the A’s to Las Veas, guiding negotiations and testifying in support of the stadium in front of the Nevada Legislature. The LVCVA committed to the A’s, becoming their “Official Destination Partner,” ensuring Las Vegas branding will be visible at every game and boosting the city’s national profile. “We are the sports capital, the entertainment capital, the betting capital of the world, because this community knows how to come together like no other and make great ideas and things happen,” Hill said. “We remove obstacles and allow great ideas from the entrepreneurs who have them to move forward, and today is a celebration of that,” he said.

Governor Joe Lombardo was instrumental, calling a special legislative session and signing the bill that secured up to $380 million in public funding for the stadium. He noted to the crowd that when he had been approached by media before the groundbreaking event asking what it means to him, “You would think immediately the words out of my mouth would be ‘sports, sports, sports,’” he said. “But it’s economic drivers, it’s jobs, the ability to be the true entertainment capital of the world and drive everything home that we envision…I anticipate that the pile drivers behind me will hit the ground sometime this evening. And in 2028, we’re going to be throwing a pitch across that plate,” he said. Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager championed the legislation in the Assembly, often highlighting the economic and community benefits, including job creation and increased revenue for public services. U.S. Representative Dina Titus provided federal support, emphasizing the positive impact on tourism and the local economy. Clark County Commissioner and LVCVA Board Chair Jim Gibson was involved from the earliest confidential meetings, helping secure local approvals and guiding the project through county processes.

MLB’s Commitment

Commissioner Rob Manfred was a driving force on the league side. He gave the A’s permission to explore relocation, waived the traditional relocation fee, and consistently expressed confidence in Las Vegas as a major league city. “Las Vegas has proven itself to be a great home to sports teams, and I expect the A’s to bring a winner when they relocate,” he said at the event. He has repeatedly affirmed that the stadium project is on schedule for 2028 opening. “All of us are excited to be adding Major League Baseball to the entertainment alternatives that are available here in Southern Nevada,” he said. “The Athletics have a long and proud history, nine World Series titles… I think about today as the beginning of a new chapter in that great history.”

The Ballpark of the Future

The A’s stadium will be a landmark attraction, merging cutting-edge design with the energy of the Strip. Its features are engineered for the desert climate and the city’s entertainment-first culture. Among the superlatives:

• A record-breaking outfield glass window. The stadium will feature a cable-net glass window in the outfield—the largest glass façade in any sports venue—faming panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip while maintaining a climate-controlled environment.
• A “spherical armadillo” roof design. Five overlapping, shell-like roof layers will provide passive shading, minimize glare, and admit soft daylight.
• The largest video board in MLB. An 18,000-square-foot jumbotron will be one of the largest in North American Sports.
• Tiered seating. Split upper and lower seating will bring fans physically closer to the field, with clear sightlines and a more intimate connection to the action than traditional ballparks.
• Innovative bullpen and event space. Bullpens will sit within the left field bleachers, letting fans get their best views yet of relief pitchers. The right outfield will house a barrel room event space with direct access to the field—a first for any MLB park.