Report: Potential A’s playoff games ‘not guaranteed’ to be played in Sacramento
Sep 10, 2024, 8:24 AM | Updated: 8:48 am
The Oakland Athletics will be playing games in Sacramento from 2025-27–at the very least–but that doesn’t mean that they will play potential postseason games at Sutter Health Park.
According to Sports Illustrated‘s Jason Burke, the A’s are not guaranteed to host postseason games in Sacramento during their time in the 916. Instead, the Athletics could play those games at an alternate location:
With the A’s very relocation being made for greater financial gains for team owner John Fisher, the idea of the team staying put in Sacramento’s 14,000 seat capacity ballpark for a potential postseason run seemed unlikely. We reached out to the A’s to see if there is anything in their agreement with Sacramento that says that those potential games have to be played at Sutter Health Park, and this was their response.
“Home” postseason games are not guaranteed to be played at Sutter Health Park. In the event a “home” postseason game occurs at an alternate location, A’s season ticket holders will have priority purchase access for tickets.”
Following back-to-back 100+ loss seasons, Oakland has posted its winningest season since 2021 thanks to a rejuvenated core that includes talents like Brent Rooker, Shea Langiliers, Lawrence Butler, Mason Miller, and JJ Bleday.
The A’s expect to compete during their time in Sacramento, and while questions remain regarding the playing surface and Major League-level amenities, there is little doubt that this group is closer to competing at a higher level than they were at the end of the 2023 season.
Fans in the Northern California area surely will want to have the chance to watch any potential postseason series down the line, but A’s ownership could opt to move those games to a different venue with more seating than Sutter Health Park (14,000).
Of course, there is a long way to go before the Athletics can realistically start making its postseason plans, but Burke’s report adds the latest wrinkle into the franchise’s move away from Oakland.
More on the Oakland Athletics & MLB relocation to Sacramento
The Oakland Athletics will relocate to Sacramento beginning next season, but plenty of work will need to be done this fall and winter to ensure their home ballpark meets MLB standards by Opening Day 2025.
According to Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, Sutter Health Park will receive major-league upgrades–including an entirely new playing surface–before next season begins.
The West Sacramento ballpark is home of the San Francisco Giants’ AAA affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, and both the Athletics and River Cats will share the diamond for at least the next three seasons as the city of Las Vegas begins construction on a stadium.
The target date for completing the Las Vegas ballpark is 2028, but many around the league are skeptical that will come to fruition. This means that MLB and Sacramento will need to upgrade Sutter Health Park for the long haul in case the A’s remain in Northern California past the 2027 season.
“They are actually constructing a separate building adjacent to the stadium that will be the home clubhouse,” Manfred said in late May at the conclusion of MLB’s spring owner meetings, per The Athletic‘s Evan Drellich.
“They’re renovating the visiting clubhouse. There’s going to be new artificial turf installed. They are upgrading the camera capability, so they get major-league quality broadcasts out of Sacramento,” Manfred continued. “There are some revenue-associated renovations: some club seating and video boards that are being done in the stadium.
“So, there’s a lot going on there to get it up to snuff for the interim period. They’ve had great receptivity. I think they have seat deposits from, like, 13,000 people or something. They’re doing okay.”
Sutter Health Park and the River Cats are owned by Vivek Ranadive, owner of the Sacramento Kings.
“I’m thrilled to welcome the A’s to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans alike can enjoy a world-class baseball experience and create unforgettable memories,” Ranadive said. “Today marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento. The passion of our fans is second to none, and this is an incredible opportunity to showcase one of the most dynamic and vibrant markets in the country.”
Major League Baseball approved the Athletics’ proposal for relocation to Las Vegas in November.
Plans are in place for a $1.5 billion, nine-acre stadium at the site of the Tropicana Hotel with the City of Las Vegas granting $380 million in public funding for construction in 2023. However, the ballpark will not open until at least the end of the 2027 calendar year, meaning the first season it could host the A’s in the regular season would be 2028.
Sutter Health Park opened in 2000 and has 10,624 seats, but could be modified to accommodate up to 14,000.
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