Athletics senior vice president of technology Vikrant Bodalia says technology will be a cornerstone of the fan experience at the team's new Las Vegas ballpark, set to open in 2028 on the south Strip. Bodalia, who previously helped open T-Mobile Arena and Allegiant Stadium, told the Review-Journal at last week's Tech Summit that the industry has evolved since 2015, when technology "did not have a seat at the table" at T-Mobile Arena. He was one of the A's first hires in Las Vegas last October.
The $2.1 billion, 33,000-capacity stadium will operate without traditional concession stands. Instead, Bodalia said the venue will use grab-and-go markets for all food and beverages, including hot and cold items, to create frictionless transactions. Entry will be paperless, and the team is focusing on eliminating pain points from arrival through purchase.
Bodalia said immersive video boards and top-notch acoustics are designed to deliver a cinematic experience comparable to blockbuster movies. "When fans are leaving home, you're going to feel like you're watching all those Avengers movies where you just feel emotions and drama and entertainment," he said. The goal is for fans to leave energized regardless of the game's outcome.
The approach mirrors the entertainment-first model established by the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena and the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Bodalia noted that Las Vegas visitors often spend significant money and treat games as part of a broader getaway. "It's an entire entertainment package," he said. "We're going to have to weave that together in how we put our products on the field."
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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