The groundbreaking ceremony for the Las Vegas Strip ballpark marks a significant milestone for the Athletics, who have been working for four years to bring Major League Baseball to Southern Nevada. Held at the former Tropicana Las Vegas site, the event was attended by notable figures such as MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, and Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, among others.
The construction of the 33,000-fan capacity ballpark, managed by the contractor Mortenson-McCarthy, began with grading and foundation preparations in April. The enclosed stadium is expected to be completed in 32 months, targeting an Opening Day in 2028.
The journey to this point began in May 2021 when MLB allowed the Athletics to explore relocation due to unsuccessful attempts to secure a new ballpark in the Bay Area and the deteriorating condition of Oakland Coliseum. After evaluating multiple sites, the team selected the Tropicana location in May 2023.
The project is supported by a mix of public and private funding. In June 2023, the Nevada Legislature approved up to $380 million in public funds. The Fisher family, owners of the Athletics, will finance $1.4 billion of the project, including a $300 million construction loan. Efforts are underway to raise over $500 million from investors for a minority stake in the team, potentially reducing the Fisher family’s investment. The team intends to use $350 million of the allocated public funds for the stadium.
The 945,000-square-foot ballpark will include 30,000 fixed seats and accommodate 3,000 standing-room attendees. It will feature luxury amenities with 81 suites and six club spaces, alongside 23 concession stands, 18 bars, and six retail spaces.