LAS VEGAS — Saturday isn’t the first time the Athletics have hosted “Major League Weekend” in their future home city during spring training, but now that the first game on the Las Vegas Strip is confirmed and likely just two years away, it feels like the team’s most formal introduction to the community they hope to win over when 2028 rolls around for good.
10,747 fans packed the Las Vegas Ballpark, which technically has a capacity of just 10,000, to watch the Athletics, now in Sacramento, defeat the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 in the first game of a weekend series. To be fair, as is always the case with Las Vegas fans, that number also includes a fair amount of opposing jerseys.
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With a dynamic young core that includes 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, $70 million shortstop Jacob Wilson and former Pilots fan favorite Lawrence Butler, the A’s are poised to become a legitimate force in the American League when they set up shop on the Strip. A year ago, when they were in town for Major League Baseball weekend, there was still skepticism about the viability of the team moving to Las Vegas and the core of players they would bring with them.
Now, after a promising 79-win season and a new stadium breaking ground in 2025, it feels like the core and the city will find each other at the perfect time.
“I think last year really set the tone for us as an organization,” Corsay said. “In the unveiling of the fact that we’re here and the stadium is up and running, obviously, it does feel like you’re getting closer to the progress that’s been made. I think being here and seeing it makes you feel like it’s definitely closer.”
While Kurtz and company will almost certainly be the centerpiece of Las Vegas’ inaugural roster, players like 22-year-old starting pitcher Gage Jumps are just trying to show that he belongs on the MLB roster. If Saturday was Jump’s first impression at his future home, he did look pretty good, allowing one hit and one run in 3.2 innings pitched. Even if everything is business as usual in his eyes.
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“It’s really cool (performing in front of an audience),” Jump said. “First time here, first time in Vegas, so take everything into account, but there was a big crowd today. It was great… (but) I try to look at every game the same, whether there’s a crowd or not.”
feel at home
Baseball aside, the Athletics would have picked a perfect weekend to be in town if they wanted to sell their players on the prospect of playing in Las Vegas long-term. The UFC 326 card, headlined by Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, kicked off at T-Mobile Arena shortly after players filed off the field and onto the team bus.
Based on head coach Mark Kotsay’s pregame comments, it appears some may find themselves in a fight. But not Kosai. He bought a house near Henderson in 2025 and is now enjoying his brief time back home before the season.
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“What I’m excited about is that I’m home. I can go home and relax,” Corsay said. “The UFC, the entertainment, that side of Vegas is definitely exciting. It’s part of the community. You can watch a major league game in the afternoon, go watch one of the best UFC fights of 2026 so far, and I know some people are excited about that. That’s the great thing about living here. You can have really great entertainment and great food.”
