Sacramento Welcomes Major League Baseball
A Temporary Home for the A's
In a surprising turn of events, the Athletics have announced their temporary relocation to Sacramento, the capital city of California, starting from the 2025 MLB season. This move comes after the expiration of their lease at the Oakland Coliseum and amidst plans for their permanent relocation to Las Vegas. Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park, home of the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, will serve as the A’s home ground for three seasons before their anticipated move to Las Vegas.
The decision to make Sacramento their temporary home was not made lightly. Earlier this year, representatives from the A’s visited Sacramento to explore potential facilities for their temporary stay while construction of their new stadium in Las Vegas is underway. Ultimately, a deal was struck between the A’s and the Sacramento Kings, who had acquired majority ownership of the River Cats and Sutter Health Park in late 2022.
Sacramento's embrace of Major League Baseball marks a significant moment in the city's sporting history. Back in the 1980s, Sacramento had ambitions of becoming the permanent home of an MLB team. Construction even commenced on ARCO Park, a 53,000-seat multi-use stadium intended to host both an MLB team and a potential NFL franchise. However, these grand plans never came to fruition, and the unfinished stadium was demolished in 2022 alongside the adjacent former home of the Sacramento Kings, ARCO Arena.
Now, nearly four decades later, Sacramento welcomes the A’s with open arms, albeit temporarily. The city's long-standing desire to host a major league sports team is finally realized, even if only for a few seasons.
For the A’s, the move to Sacramento presents both challenges and opportunities. While leaving behind their loyal fan base in Oakland is undoubtedly bittersweet, the temporary relocation offers the team a chance to forge new connections and expand their reach to fans in the Sacramento region. Sutter Health Park, known for its picturesque setting and passionate baseball enthusiasts, promises to provide a vibrant atmosphere for A’s games during their stay.
Additionally, the partnership forged between the A’s and the Sacramento Kings underscores the collaborative spirit between the two cities. As Sacramento continues to evolve into a dynamic hub for sports and entertainment, the presence of Major League Baseball adds another layer of excitement to the city's cultural landscape.
As the A’s embark on their temporary journey in Sacramento, fans eagerly anticipate the start of the 2025 MLB season. While the team's future in Las Vegas looms on the horizon, for now, Sacramento stands ready to embrace its role as a temporary home for Major League Baseball, fulfilling a dream that began nearly four decades ago.