Bally’s Corporation is aligning its development timeline with the Oakland Athletics’ move to Las Vegas, aiming to open a portion of its new hotel-casino at the same time the A’s ballpark opens in 2028. Both the stadium and the hotel-casino are planned for the 35-acre site formerly occupied by the Tropicana Las Vegas. Bally’s initially intended to finish its resort after the A’s ballpark construction, but the company has since revised its strategy.

In a recent conversation with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Bally’s Chairman, Soo Kim, revealed that the company is working on a plan to ensure that at least Phase 1 of the resort opens concurrently with the ballpark. “We’re working pretty hard to come up with a plan that will allow us to at least build Phase 1 and open at the same time as the ballpark,” Kim stated. He further noted that this phase will likely include a casino, a hotel tower, and food and beverage options. Over time, additional guest amenities and rooms will be added as part of subsequent phases.

Phase 1 Casino and Hotel Plans

Phase 1 will feature a 90,000-square-foot casino with 1,500 slot machines, 75 table games, a poker room, and a sportsbook area spanning 12,000 square feet. The resort’s hotel component will be developed in three phases, with 3,000 rooms planned upon completion. Although the exact designs for Phase 1 have not been finalized, Kim indicated that there is ample time to finalize plans while the Athletics Stadium project progresses.

The A’s aim to begin construction on their 33,000-seat ballpark by April 2025, with an estimated completion timeline of 31 months, allowing for some flexibility ahead of Opening Day 2028. Bally’s will have additional leeway in starting its project, as its resort may begin construction months later and still meet the shared opening goal.

“We have a little bit more time than they do,” Kim remarked. “The initial phase could take about two years, maybe a little closer to two than three years. We’re moving forward on planning, and I think everything is on track.”

Design and Sightline Considerations

Preliminary master plans for the resort and ballpark were previously shared, but Kim emphasized that these initial renderings were more about ensuring everything could fit within the site’s layout. He pointed out that elements such as the proposed cylindrical Bally ’s-branded sign were speculative and likely to evolve. However, the general site layout, including hotel tower locations, is expected to remain as depicted.

One key concern with the master plan was how the resort’s structures might impact views of the Las Vegas Strip from within the ballpark. The A’s ballpark design includes a massive glass curtain wall offering a view of the Strip, and both Bally’s and the A’s are keen to preserve that visual appeal. “We’re trying not to block the Strip view,” Kim explained. He acknowledged the importance of the Strip as a key part of the ballpark experience and is working to ensure that any potential encroachment on the view will add to the overall aesthetics.

A’s executive Sandy Dean echoed these sentiments at a recent Las Vegas Stadium Authority meeting, saying, “We’re excited that the master plan has the ballpark in a location that provides a great view of the Las Vegas Strip.”

Managing Multiple Developments

As Bally’s plans its Las Vegas project, it also manages another significant development near Chicago. Despite both large-scale projects, Kim expressed confidence that the company can handle them simultaneously without delay. “The Chicago project is already financed and mostly planned out,” he said, noting that they are ready to move forward. With the Las Vegas project, Bally’s focus remains on refining the master plan and determining the details for Phase 1 of the resort.

“This realization of wanting to build something in Phase 1 has become clear over the last few months,” Kim added, underscoring the importance of the initial phase aligning with the A’s stadium timeline.