After months of speculation and uncertainty, the Oakland Athletics have officially announced their interim home before their highly anticipated move to Las Vegas. Baseball fans and industry insiders alike have been asking, where are the Oakland A’s moving to? The answer is now clear: the A’s will be playing at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, home of the Sacramento River Cats, for the seasons spanning 2025-2027, with an option for 2028. This decision marks the end of an era in Oakland and the beginning of a new chapter for the franchise in Northern California, albeit temporarily.
The announcement, made on Thursday, came after the A’s and the city of Oakland failed to reach an agreement to extend their lease at the Oakland Coliseum. This breakdown in negotiations paved the way for the move to West Sacramento, a decision unveiled at a press conference held at Sutter Health Park, attended by A’s owner John Fisher, Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé, and local Sacramento officials.
Vivek Ranadivé, who also owns the River Cats, enthusiastically welcomed the A’s, highlighting the region’s growing sports profile. “We have an incredible community and a passionate fan base — the best fans in the world,” Ranadivé stated. “Today’s announcement marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento.” His words underscore Sacramento’s ambition to become a more prominent sports hub, and hosting a Major League Baseball team, even temporarily, is a significant step in that direction.
Sutter Health Park, the chosen venue, is located in West Sacramento, near the iconic yellow Tower Bridge that visually connects West Sacramento to downtown Sacramento. The surrounding area has seen considerable development in recent years, with new restaurants, bars, and residential complexes adding to its appeal. Its proximity to the state Capitol and the Golden 1 Center, home of the Sacramento Kings, further solidifies its central location within the Sacramento region. The ballpark boasts a capacity of 10,624 fixed seats, expandable to 14,014 with lawn and standing-room areas, creating an intimate baseball experience for fans.
Ranadivé openly expressed his hope that this temporary arrangement could serve as a catalyst for Sacramento to eventually secure a permanent MLB team in the future, indicating a long-term vision beyond just hosting the A’s for a few seasons.
John Fisher acknowledged that West Sacramento was selected from a pool of potential temporary locations, which included the Oakland Coliseum itself. In a statement, Fisher explained the rationale behind choosing Sacramento, stating, “Even with the long-standing relationship and good intentions on all sides in the negotiations with Oakland, the conditions to achieve an agreement seemed out of reach.” He recognized the disappointment this move would inflict on Oakland fans, a sentiment widely shared across the East Bay.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao responded to the announcement by stating that the city had presented “a deal that was fair to the A’s and was fiscally responsible for our city.” Mayor Thao indicated that Oakland’s focus would now shift to acquiring the A’s rights to the Coliseum site and pursuing redevelopment projects in that area, signaling a move towards future opportunities for the city without the A’s.
Paul Freedman, co-founder of the Oakland Ballers, a newly formed minor league team, described the news as “heart-breaking.” However, he emphasized the positive aspect that Oakland fans would still have a local baseball team to support. Freedman’s statement, “Today is a tough day, but you can’t be beaten if you never give up,” reflects the resilience of Oakland’s baseball community despite the departure of the A’s.
The A’s announced their intention to relocate to Las Vegas in April of last year, a move unanimously approved by MLB owners in November. The relocation to Las Vegas will mark the fifth home for a franchise with a long and nomadic history, having originated as the Philadelphia Athletics (1901-1954) and then moving to Kansas City (1955-1967) before arriving in Oakland in 1968. This history of relocation adds another layer to the current move, highlighting the transient nature of the franchise.
Fan reaction in Oakland to the impending move to Las Vegas has been overwhelmingly negative, reflected in historically low attendance figures at the Oakland Coliseum. Last season, the A’s had the lowest attendance in MLB, drawing only 832,352 fans. Opening night this year saw a meager attendance of 13,522, with thousands more protesting owner John Fisher in the parking lot. Subsequent games have struggled to reach even 7,000 attendees, underscoring the strained relationship between the team and its Oakland fanbase.
In contrast, the news has been met with enthusiasm in Sacramento. West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero believes the A’s temporary residency will “put the city ‘on the map’” and stimulate local businesses. “We’re going to make this beautiful, intimate place a welcoming, embracing environment,” she said, expressing excitement for what she described as a “historic day” and a “dream of West Sacramento to have a major league team here.”
Significant upgrades to Sutter Health Park are anticipated to accommodate a major league team, particularly concerning clubhouses, batting cages, and other player facilities. The MLB Players Association has acknowledged these necessary upgrades, stating, “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.”
During their time in Sacramento, the team will be known simply as the Athletics, or A’s, without a city designation, further emphasizing the temporary nature of this move before their permanent relocation to Las Vegas. The Sacramento River Cats will continue to play at Sutter Health Park, sharing the venue with the A’s.
Staying within Northern California is strategically advantageous for the A’s, as it is expected to allow them to maintain their local television rights deal with NBC Sports California, reportedly valued at $67 million annually. This financial consideration likely played a role in choosing Sacramento as the interim location.
With the A’s departure from Oakland after this season, the Oakland Coliseum complex, once a multi-sport mecca hosting the NFL’s Raiders, the NBA’s Warriors, and the NHL’s Seals, will be left without any major professional sports teams. These teams collectively brought 10 championships to Oakland – four each for the A’s and Warriors, and two for the Raiders. Despite the recent departures, Oakland’s legacy as a championship city remains, ranking among cities like Los Angeles, Boston, and New York in combined MLB, NBA, and NFL titles since the A’s arrived in 1968.
