Athletics to Play on Grass Instead of Turf in Sacramento Due to Concerns About Heat

As the Oakland Athletics make the transition to Sutter Health Park in Sacramento for the 2025 season, there will be a change to the previous plan for the stadium's playing surface.

Per The Athletic's Evan Drellich, Sutter Health Park will have natural grass instead of turf because of players' preferences and heat concerns.

MLB had originally planned to use turf for durability reasons given two teams—the A's and the Triple-A Sacramento Rivercats—would share the field throughout the year.

"Since the beginning of this process, we have worked collaboratively with the MLBPA to incorporate feedback from major and minor league players regarding the facilities, amenities, and playing conditions in Sacramento," a league spokesperson said, per Drellich. "Based on feedback from players, as well as guidance from MLB's long-time field expert, MLB and the A's have decided to maintain a natural grass field at SHP. Our shared, primary concern is ensuring the best and safest playing surface for the A's, River Cats, and visiting players.

"In light of the players' clear preference for natural grass, and after weighing with the MLBPA the potential risks and benefits of maintaining natural grass versus replacing the playing surface with synthetic turf, all the parties are aligned in moving forward with a natural grass field for Opening Day 2025."

According to Drellich, MLB still plans to play as many night games as possible to help manage the heat in Sacramento.

The new stadium in Las Vegas will have a roof, meaning heat concerns will be a non-issue.

The Athletics will call Sacramento home for the next three seasons as they await the completion of their new stadium in Las Vegas, which has a target date of Opening Day 2028. The A's deal with Sutter Health Park is for three years but has an option for a fourth if the stadium is not completed by the 2028 season.