The A’s open their second season tonight in West Sacramento. Here’s what to know
The Athletics begin their 2026 home season Friday evening against the Houston Astros at Sutter Health Park — Year 2 of a three-year stay before the team’s planned move to Las Vegas in 2028.
The season arrives as Sacramento-area leaders prepare to formally launch a bid for a permanent MLB expansion team this May.
Here are key takeaways:
• What’s new this season: The A’s added “Sacramento Saturdays” with locally themed giveaways and gold jerseys with green “Sacramento” lettering. Night games now start at 6:40 p.m. — 25 minutes earlier than last year — and select $8 tickets will be available for April and May games.
• The Dodgers are coming: The two-time defending World Series champions visit June 29-July 1 — one of five National League teams making their first trip to Sutter Health Park this season.
• Six games move to Las Vegas: The A’s will play six “home” games at Las Vegas Ballpark in June, reducing Sutter Health Park’s schedule to 75 home games instead of 81.
• How good are the A’s? Most preseason rankings placed the A’s in the 20s out of 30 teams. Experts praised a young, powerful lineup led by unanimous 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz but called the pitching staff “worrisome.”
• Year 1’s economic impact was modest: West Sacramento estimated a roughly $870,000 revenue increase from the A’s — equivalent to about 1% of the city’s $80 million general fund. City Manager Aaron Laurel called it significant but not “game-changing.” Results for nearby businesses were mixed.
• The expansion push is on: Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty and West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero plan to launch a formal campaign this spring for one of two expected MLB expansion teams. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has said he wants to have a “process in place” for the expansion to 32 teams, including cities for each team selected, by the time he retires in 2029, ESPN and CBS Sports have previously reported.
This story was originally published April 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM.