West Sacramento officially announced its pursuit of a Major League Baseball expansion team on Thursday, May 28, 2026, aiming to secure a permanent franchise. The bid, spearheaded by local leadership and a newly formed coalition, positions the region as a primary contender to join an expanded 32-team league alongside other interested markets.
Sacramento’s Strategic Bid for Permanent MLB Status
While the Athletics currently compete at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, the city is no longer content with serving as a temporary host. West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero formally announced the city’s pursuit of a permanent expansion franchise during a recent State of the City address, signaling a transition from a stopgap venue to a long-term home for big-league baseball. The effort is managed by a new organization called The Sacramento Pitch, which includes Mayor Guerrero and Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty as honorary co-chairs.
The financial foundation of the bid is substantial. Mark Friedman, the founder and chairman of Fulcrum Property and Board Chair of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, revealed that $1.8 billion has already been raised to support the project. This total includes $800 million from local investors and $1 billion in expected investment from the City of West Sacramento, primarily through tax increment financing, hotel fees, and additional potential revenue sources like ticket or parking taxes.
“We’re, I think, the most underserved market in the country if you sort of measure population and sports opportunities. Sacramento is a growing community that is really hungry for sports.”
Mark Friedman, founder/chairman of Fulcrum, via Deseret News
Ballpark Infrastructure and Development Plans
The vision for a permanent MLB home centers on a site in the River District, located just south of the current Sutter Health Park. Plans detail a 35,000- to 40,000-seat ballpark integrated into a 50-acre mixed-use development. According to Forbes, the $800 million portion of the funding breakdown includes a $500 million cash investment from the United Auburn Indian Community and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, with an additional $300 million in equity accounted for by the land contribution and surrounding development area.
City officials emphasize that the financing model for the bonds is designed to isolate risk. By utilizing tax-increment financing within the ballpark district, proponents argue the city’s general fund remains protected. Mayor Guerrero framed the effort as a transformative milestone for the region.
“This is a defining moment for West Sacramento, and we’re ready. Major League Baseball is already seeing firsthand the passion, energy, and civic pride that exists here.”
West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero, via Forbes
A Crowded Field: Vancouver and Other Contenders
Sacramento is not the only city aggressively positioning itself for expansion. Major League Baseball is widely expected to grow from 30 to 32 teams, and the competition for those slots is intensifying. In April, Vancouver city council approved a motion to initiate a procurement process for an unsolicited bid proposal, targeting a 20-acre plot of city-owned land on the south shore of False Creek.
The Vancouver bid, led by real estate developer Zack Ross, has drawn interest from high-profile figures, including actor Ryan Reynolds and the ownership groups of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. Despite this interest, the feasibility of the Vancouver market remains a topic of debate, particularly as Major League Soccer evaluates relocating the Whitecaps to an American market.
The financial barrier to entry remains high. While MLB commissioner Rob Manfred floated a figure of $2.2 billion for an expansion fee in 2021, recent franchise sales—such as the $2.4 billion acquisition of the Mets and the $3.9 billion purchase of the Padres—suggest that the actual cost for a new team will likely exceed those early projections. As the league prepares for its next steps, proponents in Sacramento remain confident that their specific market metrics will prove decisive.
<!– /wp:quote With these essential elements now firmly in place, local leadership believes the city has successfully positioned itself as a primary candidate for the league's next phase of major expansion.“When MLB moves forward on expansion, Sacramento will be impossible to ignore. We have the market, the site, the capital, and the community. Sacramento is ready to compete—and Sacramento is ready to win.”
Mark Friedman, founder/chairman of Fulcrum, via Forbes
