The A's may be moving to Sin City, but their potential ballpark looks like something from Down Under.
A transfer out of Oakland and into Las Vegas is on the horizon for the Athletics. The move was unanimously approved by MLB ownership in November of 2023, with the expectation that the MLB club will apply to relocate after the 2024 season, which coincides with the expiration of the team's lease at the Oakland Coliseum.
The process has not been an easy one, and while all signs are pointing to relocation, it's not 100-percent set in stone. With that said, the early stages of planning have begun, and part of those preparations include a new stadium.
MORE: A's receive chilly welcome at Las Vegas relocation event
For the first time since the topic has been discussed, renderings of a potential Las Vegas baseball stadium have been released by the Athletics. While the park itself looks stunning, there is a familiar feel to it for those who have traveled to Australia and know about iconic landmarks throughout the world — the Sydney Opera House.
MORE: Fanatics owner speaks on see-through MLB jerseys
Las Vegas Athletics new stadium proposal
The first renderings of a Las Vegas baseball stadium were revealed by the Athletics on March 5. There are several notable aspects of the park to point out, including the largest jumbotron in the league and the largest cable-net glass window in the outfield.
However, the one part of the park that stood was the roof. It consists of five overlapping layers that reportedly will allow views of the skyline.
Together with @BIG_Architects and @HNTBCorp, we have unveiled the design for our new ballpark project in Las Vegas on the Tropicana site. BIG will serve as the design lead and HNTB as the sports/hospitality designer and architect of record.
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) March 5, 2024
Images by Negativ pic.twitter.com/mvpiCBXD54
NEW: The soon-to-be Las Vegas @Athletics unveiled the new design for the ballpark.
— Vince Sapienza (@VinceSapienza) March 5, 2024
The roof consists of five overlapping layers that still allow views of the skyline.
It will have the largest jumbotron in MLB and the outfield will feature the largest cable-net glass window. pic.twitter.com/zHXzdNfDXS
To a majority of fans, the first structure that came to mind was the Sydney Opera House. The iconic arts center in Australia is known for its unique roofing, which consists of 1.056 million white granite tiles.
MORE: When will the A's move to Vegas? Updated timeline
A's owner John Fisher was asked about the roof after the renderings were revealed. He said that "despite a similar look, the Sydney Opera House was not a direct inspiration for the ballpark design."
Spoke to A’s owner John Fisher, said retractable roof was ditched due to them not being opened as much as most would think at other ballparks. And noted despite a similar look, the Sydney Opera House was not a direct inspiration for the ballpark design. #vegas #athletics #mlb https://t.co/CpS4jqC4Xp
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) March 5, 2024
While the intent may not have been to recreate the infamous building from Down Under, fans are having a field day with the pictures online
“What if we take the Sydney Opera House and move it over here to Vegas” https://t.co/X23QdHxZ0Y pic.twitter.com/3Av8Jks1wA
— D (@dsherm_) March 5, 2024
Finally! The A’s have released renderings of their $1.5 billion ballpark design in Las Vegas. From the exterior it’s hard not to think of the Opera House in Sydney pic.twitter.com/QtehkSpmh0
— Maury Brown (@BizballMaury) March 5, 2024
Ah yes, the view of New York, New York is so beautiful from the Sydney Opera House in the summer. https://t.co/1JCNjueQz1
— Jordan Cicchelli 🤍 (@jordancicchelli) March 5, 2024
when you order the sydney opera house on temu: https://t.co/KGSyPA79qL
— adrian (@yourpalcrawf) March 5, 2024
The Sydney Opera House seeing this https://t.co/IX7ADQbCBw pic.twitter.com/xcjHQV31o8
— Andrew⚡️ (@813Drew) March 5, 2024
Sydney called. Rendering just released for #Athletics proposed new fixed roof ballpark in Las Vegas.
— MLB Cathedrals (@MLBcathedrals) March 5, 2024
h/t: @architecturejks pic.twitter.com/NLkfm7T7qk
Vegas tourists will see this and ask, "oh is that a new Australia-themed casino?!" and then be disappointed when they find out its just a baseball stadium that looks like a Sydney Opera House knockoff. pic.twitter.com/PAAgrTvGFp
— OaklandStadiumWatch (@OakStadiumWatch) March 5, 2024