| Sutter Health Park – Quick Guide | Details |
|---|---|
| Home Team(s) | Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A, San Francisco Giants affiliate); Temporary home of the A’s until they move to Vegas in 2028 |
| Opened | May 15, 2000 (formerly Raley Field) |
| Capacity | ~14,000 |
| Best Value Seats | Outfield grass berm and upper reserved sections for affordable views |
| Premium Seating | Legacy Club, Sactown Club, suites, and party decks |
| Top Ballpark Foods | Tri-tip sandwiches, tacos, garlic fries, local craft beer |
| Nearby Bars/Eats | Drake’s: The Barn, Burgers and Brew, Old Sacramento dining options |
| Closest Hotels | Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront, Holiday Inn Downtown, Kimpton Sawyer (short drive) |
| Transit Access | Walkable from downtown via Tower Bridge; light rail nearby; parking garages |
| Unique Highlights | Intimate riverfront setting with views of the Sacramento skyline; relaxed minor league vibe with strong food and social spaces |
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Sutter Health Park is the scrappiest thing happening in Major League Baseball right now. A 14,000-seat minor league ballpark in West Sacramento — technically not even in Sacramento proper — serving as the temporary home for the Athletics while their $2 billion Vegas palace goes up on the Strip. The intimacy is the whole selling point. You’re closer to the field here than at any other MLB park, the Tower Bridge glowing gold beyond the right field fence is genuinely beautiful, and the entire experience feels like baseball stripped down to what actually matters.
The honest reality? Concession lines can be brutal, parking is a headache if you don’t plan ahead, and Sacramento summers are significantly hotter than what the A’s dealt with in Oakland. But for a few seasons, this is a pretty unique and cool experience.
Seating Guide
Sutter Health Park’s layout is about as straightforward as it gets. Almost every seat is at field level in the 100-section bowl, wrapping from the left field corner (Section 122) around home plate to right field. Above and behind the lower bowl sits a suite level with a small number of 200-level club sections. Total capacity for A’s games is around 14,000, including the grass berm in right field. The field is oriented with home plate roughly to the west, which means the first base side catches the brunt of afternoon sun and the third base side shades up first.
Best Non-Premium Seats
Sections 109-113, Rows 5-15 (Behind Home Plate): These are the best non-premium seats in the building, and it’s not particularly close. You’re directly behind the plate with perfect sightline geometry for tracking pitches, and the suite overhang starts providing shade here before anywhere else in the park — a massive deal for Sacramento day games. The tradeoff is price: these sections carry the highest non-club ticket cost, and they sell fast against popular opponents like the Giants, Yankees, and Cubs. But for the quality of view you’re getting at what’s still an MLB bargain compared to most big league parks, this is the move.
Sections 114-119, Rows 1-10 (Third Base Side): This stretch runs from just past home plate down toward the A’s dugout and the left field corner. You’re on the shaded side of the park for evening games and afternoon games from about mid-game onward, and the low rows put you absurdly close to the field — we’re talking minor league proximity at a major league game. Sections 117-119 sit right in front of the A’s dugout, so you’ll see players coming and going between innings. The angle gets more oblique as you move toward left field, but the closeness compensates.
Sections 105-108, Rows 1-10 (First Base Side, Close to Home): The first base side near home plate gives you a great perspective on the batter and right-handed pitcher release points. The downside is sun exposure — these sections are the last to get shade, and for day games you’ll be baking until late afternoon. But for a 7:05 PM start in June, the sun is low enough by game time that it’s manageable, and these sections tend to price a bit lower than the equivalent spots on the third base side.
Best Value Seats
Sections 120-122 (Left Field Corner to Left Field): You’re trading the ideal straight-on angle for significantly cheaper tickets and a fun left field atmosphere. You can still see the entire field, the outfield wall is right there, and you’re close to concessions along the third base concourse. For a Tuesday night game against a mid-tier opponent, these sections often drop to some of the lowest prices in the lower bowl.
Budget Option
Toyota Home Run Hill (Right Field Grass Berm): This is the general admission lawn area beyond right field, and it’s the cheapest way into an A’s game — tickets start around $25. You’re sitting on grass with a casual, picnic-style vibe. The view of the actual game is limited (you’re looking at the field from an outfield angle and it’s tough to track at-bats), but the atmosphere is great for families, casual fans, and anyone who wants to be at a game without stressing about sightlines. Kids love the Down on the Farm area nearby with a wiffle ball field and a splash zone. Just know you’re fully exposed to sun with no overhead cover, and you’ll want to bring a low-profile lawn chair (nine inches or shorter is the rule).
Our Pick
Sections 110-112, Rows 8-15. If you’re visiting Sutter Health Park once while the A’s are in Sacramento, this is where you want to be. You’re centered behind home plate with a perfect view of the entire diamond, close enough to the field that it feels like a completely different sport than watching from the upper deck of a 40,000-seat stadium, and the suite overhang gives you the best shade protection in the building. It’s the quintessential Sutter Health Park experience — intimate, close, and uniquely MLB.
Weather & Shade Reality
Sacramento is not Oakland. Summer highs regularly push into the mid-90s and frequently crack 100 degrees, and Sutter Health Park has very little built-in shade. The third base side (Sections 109 and higher) gets shade first as the sun drops behind the structure in the afternoon. The first base side and right field stay exposed the longest.
For day games starting at 12:35 or 1:05, the sun is nearly directly overhead and almost nothing is shaded until mid-game. The actionable advice: if you’re going to a day game between June and September, pay up for the third base side or behind home plate. For a 7:05 evening start, you’ll have shade on most of the third base line by first pitch, though the first base side won’t shade up until closer to sunset around 8:30 PM in peak summer.
What to Avoid
Sections 101-104 (Far Right Field, First Base Side): These are the worst-value fixed seats in the park. You’re far from home plate, looking at the game from an extreme angle down the right field line, and you’re on the hottest, sunniest side of the stadium. For what you pay here, you’re better off on the lawn.
Home Run Hill on a Day Game in July: The berm is fun for evening games, but sitting on exposed grass in 100-degree Sacramento heat with zero shade is a recipe for a miserable afternoon. There are mister fans near the Sactown Smokehouse picnic area, but the berm itself offers no relief.
Premium Seating
Diamond View Dugout (Sections 108-116, Field Level): The premium ticket behind home plate. These are the closest fixed seats to the field in the park, with all-inclusive food and beverages — ballpark fare plus local beer, wine, and spirits. This is the crown jewel of Sutter Health Park premium, and in a park this small, “field level behind home plate” means you’re practically in the dugout.
Legacy Club (Behind Sections 122-123, Left Field): A climate-controlled indoor lounge with a private balcony, a 15-foot big screen, and a complimentary dining experience with rotating chef-driven entrees and curated beer and wine. This is the best refuge from heat in the entire park. If you’re willing to pay up and want air conditioning with your baseball, this is it.
Gilt-Edge Club (Outfield): An open-air shaded lounge near the outfield with a private bar, complimentary beer and wine, and a build-your-own hot dog and nacho station. More casual than the Legacy Club but still a nice upgrade over standard seating.
Solon Club (Sections 201-206, Right Field Upper Level): Club seats on the suite level with complimentary parking and access to a private bar that stays open through the end of the game. These give you an elevated view from the right field side. The parking perk alone is worth noting given how much of a pain parking can be here.
Suites: Available on a nightly or season-long basis, accommodating 20 to 100 guests. Book through the A’s or River Cats at 916-371-4487.
Sutter Health Park Seating Chart
Before you buy, take a look at the seating map to get a feel for where each section sits relative to the field, the dugouts, and the sun. In a park this small, the difference between a great seat and a mediocre one often comes down to just a few sections — so it’s worth zooming in on the areas we recommend in the graphic above..
For most A’s games, the secondary market tends to offer solid deals, especially for midweek games and non-marquee opponents. Weekend series against the Giants, Yankees, and Cubs are the exceptions — those price up fast and rarely drop. You can check for A’s tickets through our partnership with Vivid Seats.
Insider Tips for A’s and River Cats Games
Sutter Health Park punches above its weight as a gameday experience because the small footprint means everything is accessible and close. But there are real quirks to this place that you need to know before you go — some of them are minor league holdovers that the MLB upgrade didn’t fully solve, and some are just Sacramento-specific realities.
Before You Go
Download the MLB Ballpark app. Your tickets are mobile-only, and the app also has the interactive stadium map, food menus, and mobile ordering. Enable your location once you’re inside the park to unlock Sutter Health Park-specific features. Don’t wait until you’re in the security line to figure this out.
Know the bag policy. Sutter Health Park enforces a clear bag policy. All bags must be clear and can’t exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Non-clear bags larger than 8 by 5 by 1 inches are prohibited. Non-clear diaper bags are the one exception but will be searched.
If you don’t have a clear bag, the On-Deck Shop inside the park sells them, or you can rent a locker ($6) near the Main Gate or Right Field Gate to stash your belongings. Everyone goes through metal detectors at the gates, so empty your pockets and have your clear bag ready to speed things up. No outside food is allowed except peanuts and sunflower seeds. Leave the backpack in the car.
Bring your own water. This matters more than you think in 100-degree Sacramento heat. You’re allowed to bring in unopened, soft-sided bottled water, and you can also bring an empty reusable water bottle to fill at stations inside the park. In July and August, this isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s a survival move. Sealed juice boxes and small milk cartons for kids are also permitted.
This is a cashless ballpark — no exceptions. There are no ATMs anywhere in Sutter Health Park. Bring a credit card, debit card, or a pre-purchased gift card. If you show up with only cash, you’re out of luck at concessions and the team store.
Getting There & Parking
Get there early and plan your entrance. Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch for A’s games, and season ticket members get in a full two hours early. The parking lot funnels everyone into the same entrance area off Ballpark Drive, and if you show up 20 minutes before game time you’ll be fighting traffic and lines simultaneously. Arriving an hour early lets you park without stress, clear security, and actually enjoy the pre-game atmosphere.
Walk across the Tower Bridge if you can. If you’re staying downtown or anywhere near Old Sacramento, walk to the game. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the heart of Old Sac across the iconic Tower Bridge, and it’s one of the best pre-game walks in baseball. You avoid the parking nightmare entirely, and the bridge is lit up gold at night for the walk back.
Parking is expensive and annoying — reserve in advance. The main lot south of the stadium runs $30, the VIP Green Lot is $40, and the Gold Lot across Riverfront Drive is $35. These lots fill up, and the single-entry traffic flow creates backups. Reserve your spot online ahead of time.
The sharper move? The Ziggurat Garage — that distinctive pyramid-shaped building just northeast of the ballpark — often runs $15-$20, significantly cheaper than the official lots. You get a shaded walk to the park, and you skip the worst of the lot traffic on the way out.
Alternatively, park in downtown Sacramento’s public lots and garages and walk across the bridge. It’s cheaper and often faster than dealing with the ballpark lots entirely.
Rideshare pickup and drop-off is at 5th Street and Bridge Street. That’s the primary MLB rideshare zone, positioned to handle the flow from a 14,000-capacity crowd. Post-game surge pricing is real — if you can wait 20-30 minutes after the final out, prices drop considerably.
Even better, download the Via West Sac app before your trip. It’s a local rideshare service that operates like an Uber/bus hybrid for a flat $3.50 fare ($1.75 for seniors). No surge pricing, no games. It’s the sharpest transportation move at Sutter Health Park and most fans don’t know it exists.
Public transit works here. Sacramento Regional Transit light rail runs to the 7th and Capitol or 8th and Capitol stops, from which you can walk across the bridge to the game. The Yolobus Route 42 makes stops on Cabaldon Parkway right next to the ballpark if you’re coming from Davis or elsewhere in Yolo County. Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor connects the Bay Area to Sacramento for old-school Oakland fans making the pilgrimage. Free bike valet is available on Ballpark Drive if you want to pedal in.
Surviving Sacramento Heat
Sunscreen is not optional. This isn’t a suggestion — it’s a survival tip for day games. Sacramento summer sun is relentless, and this park has minimal shade. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and consider a portable fan. Sunglasses are essential on the first base side.
Pick your seats based on shade, not price. The third base side (Sections 109 and higher) gets shade first as the sun drops in the afternoon. The first base side and right field stay exposed the longest. For day games between June and September, pay up for the third base side or behind home plate. For a 7:05 evening start, you’ll have shade on most of the third base line by first pitch, but the first base side won’t shade up until closer to sunset around 8:30 PM in peak summer.
The Sactown Smokehouse picnic area is your heat refuge. There’s a large shaded picnic area next to the Sactown Smokehouse in right field with mister fans running on hot days. If you need to cool down mid-game, this is the spot — grab food, sit under shade, and let the misters do their work before heading back to your seat.
Inside the Park
Eat before or after, not during. The most consistent fan complaint about Sutter Health Park is concession lines. The park wasn’t built to handle MLB-level crowds, and even with upgrades, the concourse gets jammed. The food itself is fine — the tri-tip sandwich, the garlic fries, and Oso’s Mexican Cantina tacos are the highlights — but you might spend two innings waiting in line.
Use the mobile ordering option through the MLB Ballpark app to order for pickup and skip the worst of the lines. Or better yet, eat before you get to the park.
No re-entry. Once you leave Sutter Health Park, your ticket is dead. Plan accordingly — if you need something from your car, go before you enter or after the game. The only exception is for medical or ADA needs, and you’ll need a hand stamp from security before exiting.
Alcohol sales cut off at the first pitch of the 8th inning. Standard MLB policy, but worth noting since the game moves fast in a park this small.
How to Get Autographs
The small footprint at Sutter Health Park makes autograph access dramatically easier than at a standard MLB park. The proximity between the seats and the field is the whole advantage here — use it.
The Dugout Lean. Head to Sections 117-119 on the A’s side or Sections 105-107 on the visitor side as soon as gates open. Players routinely sign along the railing near the dugouts during warm-ups, and the window usually runs until about 45 minutes before first pitch. Get there right at gate opening and you’ll have the best shot before the crowd builds.
Kids Rule Sundays. On Sunday home games, there’s often a formal autograph session on the concourse near the On-Deck Shop from around 12:00 to 12:30 PM. If you’re bringing kids and want a guaranteed opportunity, this is the one to target.
Post-Game. Stick around the railings near the bullpens in right field or the player tunnel near Section 119 after the final out. Even after a tough loss, a handful of players typically stop for fans — especially kids holding something out to sign.
Pre-Game & Post-Game: Where to Go
West Sacramento and Old Sacramento are the value plays for your wallet and your stomach. The ballpark’s location right on the river between the two means you’ve got good options on both sides of the bridge.
Pre-Game at Drake’s: The Barn. This is the unofficial tailgate headquarters of the A’s. A massive outdoor meadow setting with pizza, burgers, and a strong local beer lineup — it’s perfect for groups and the vibe is dialed in on game nights. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the park, but a word of warning: Drake’s parking lot is strictly monitored for their customers only. If you’re heading to the game afterward, park at the stadium lots or the Ziggurat and walk over.
Pre-Game at Joe’s Crab Shack. A classic riverfront spot right on the water. If you want an actual sit-down meal before the game, this is a solid pick — eat, then walk the bridge to the park.
Post-Game in Old Sacramento. Cross the Tower Bridge back into Old Sac after the game and let the parking lot traffic clear while you grab a drink. Fanny Ann’s Saloon is a legendary dive bar that’s been there forever — grab a post-game burger and a beer in a building with more character than most stadiums.
Post-Game at Tree House. If you’d rather stay on the West Sacramento side, Tree House is a rooftop lounge with views of the stadium lights and the city skyline. Post up with a drink, let the traffic die down, and head out when the roads are clear. It’s the patient fan’s move.
The New Las Vegas Ballpark
The Sacramento chapter is temporary, but what’s waiting for A’s fans in Las Vegas is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious stadium projects in baseball history. The new ballpark is under construction right now on the former Tropicana Las Vegas site on the Las Vegas Strip, and it’s scheduled to open for the 2028 season.
The building itself is striking. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and HNTB, the 33,000-seat domed ballpark features five overlapping roof layers inspired by baseball pennants — comparisons to the Sydney Opera House are inevitable and not inaccurate. The outfield wall will feature what the A’s are calling the world’s largest cable-net glass window, giving fans inside an outdoor feel with direct views of the Strip skyline. Rather than a traditional central air conditioning system, cooled air will be distributed through the seats themselves — a clever solution for a city where summer temperatures make Sacramento look mild. Here are some renderings from the A’s website.
The fan experience is being built from scratch. The tiered seating bowl design splits upper and lower sections to bring fans closer to the field than traditional ballparks, and the A’s claim the shortened foul territory will give them the closest seats to the action of any MLB stadium. The videoboard will be an 18,000-square-foot monster — the largest in any MLB park. Recently unveiled premium areas include the Athletic Club, a behind-home-plate speakeasy-style private restaurant concept developed with Will Guidara of “Unreasonable Hospitality” fame, and the Diamond Club, an all-inclusive social hub with field-level views.
Construction is on schedule. As of early 2026, foundation work is complete, the concourse is 50-60% poured, structural steel is going up, and the seating bowl is starting to take shape. The A’s have spent over $300 million of the projected $2 billion cost so far. The project remains on track for an early 2028 completion. In the meantime, the A’s are playing six regular-season “home” games at Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin in June 2026 to start building their Vegas fanbase — those tickets sold out to season deposit holders in 24 hours.
Tickets will span all price ranges. A’s president Marc Badain has emphasized to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority that the new park will include seats in the $20-$30 range alongside the premium clubs, with a specific focus on making games affordable for families. Personal seat licenses will only apply to select high-end areas.
You can check out the latest construction progress on the A’s live construction cam. And the A’s Ballpark Experience Center at UnCommons in Las Vegas offers an immersive look at the stadium design with renderings and models if you’re in town.
Why You Should Go
Sacramento having an MLB team is a limited-time thing — the A’s play here through 2027, possibly 2028 if construction runs long, and then they’re gone to Vegas for good. That window is the reason to go. You will never again watch a major league game this close to the field for this little money. The intimacy of a 14,000-seat park, the Tower Bridge glowing over right field at sunset, the energy of a city that waited decades for big league ball — this is a baseball experience you can’t replicate once it’s over. Enjoy it while it last Sacramento!
You can check out our guides to all the MLB ballparks here as well as these local and regional gems:
Levi’s Stadium, Chase Center and Oracle Park in SF.
Written by Brad Richards, Founder of Gameday Guides. This guide includes insights from personal visits as well as updated info from team sources, fan forums, and stadium policies. We aim to help you plan with confidence — enjoy your gameday. If you see anything incorrect, or have any suggestions shoot us an email.