Oakland A’s Pivot to New Site For Las Vegas Stadium

The Oakland Athletics are planning to build their new ballpark in Las Vegas on a portion of the current Tropicana Las Vegas property.

The team signed a binding agreement with Bally’s Corporation, in conjunction with Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc., for nine acres of the 35-acre site located on Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue. The new ballpark will have approximate capacity of 30,000 and a partially retractable roof.

The announcement comes weeks after the team initially released plans to purchase 49 acres of land across the freeway from T-Mobile Arena, north of Allegiant Stadium. The new agreement is subject to the passing of legislation for public financing and related agreements, and approval of relocation by Major League Baseball.

As part of the agreement, Bally’s retains the ability to assign the rights to all aspects of the development. The Athletics have played in Oakland since 1968 after previous stays in Philadelphia (1901-54) and Kansas City (1955-67). Oakland’s average attendance of 9,449 ranks last in MLB this season.

“We are honored to have been selected to partner with the Oakland Athletics on this monumental step in helping to bring Major League Baseball to the great city of Las Vegas, and to be a part of the once in a generation opportunity of having a professional baseball team located within a short walk of the Las Vegas Strip,” said Bally’s President George Papanier.

The ballpark is expected to host more than 2.5 million fans and visitors annually. GLPI has agreed to fund up to $175 million towards certain shared improvements within the future development. Previous reports estimated the cost of the stadium at $1.5 billion, with $395 million in public financing.

“We are excited about the potential to bring Major League Baseball to this iconic location,” said Oakland A’s President Dave Kaval. “We are thrilled to work alongside Bally’s and GLPI and look forward to finalizing plans to bring the Athletics to Southern Nevada.”

Bally’s acquired the building and operations of the Tropicana Las Vegas from GLPI in September 2022 as part of a $148 million transaction. As part of the transaction, Bally’s entered into a 50-year ground lease with GLPI, with the ability to extend to 99-years upon achieving key investment milestones.

“The Oakland Athletics’ interest in developing a world-class Major League Baseball stadium on our site underscores its status as one of the most prime locations on the Las Vegas Strip and will enhance any future development of our remaining 26 acres,” said Peter Carlino, chairman and chief executive officer of GLPI.