The Oakland Athletics—widely known as the A’s—have unveiled an ambitious new vision for premium fan hospitality at their future stadium in Las Vegas. In collaboration with acclaimed restaurateur Will Guidara and hospitality leader Aramark Sports + Entertainment, the team announced plans for the Athletic Club, a groundbreaking all-inclusive hospitality experience that will be situated directly behind home plate at the franchise’s new ballpark. The stadium itself is scheduled to open in 2028, and the Athletic Club is expected to become one of the most distinctive and exclusive spaces in professional baseball.
The announcement represents a bold step in the evolution of sports entertainment, merging luxury dining, curated service, and immersive game-day energy into a single environment designed to elevate the way fans engage with baseball. Tickets and membership packages for the Athletic Club will be offered later this month, with initial access reserved for individuals who are part of the Priority Access List for the new stadium.
Reimagining the Baseball Game-Day Experience
The Athletic Club concept aims to transform the traditional approach to attending a baseball game. Instead of fans arriving shortly before the first pitch and leaving soon after the final out, the experience is designed to encourage guests to arrive early, linger longer, and treat the ballpark as a social destination in its own right.
Guidara, whose hospitality philosophy has reshaped fine dining in recent years, played a central role in conceptualizing the space. Known for his emphasis on personalized service and thoughtful guest experiences, Guidara has built a reputation for redefining hospitality standards in the restaurant industry. His book Unreasonable Hospitality has influenced hospitality professionals around the world, emphasizing creativity, empathy, and attention to detail in guest service.
The Athletic Club marks the first time Guidara has applied these ideas to a professional sports environment, bringing restaurant-level service and storytelling into a stadium setting.
According to Guidara, the inspiration behind the project centers on creating a place where the experience begins well before the game itself.
Rather than treating dining as a quick pre-game activity, the Athletic Club encourages guests to view it as an essential part of the evening. The design and atmosphere aim to replicate the warmth and connection that people feel when sharing a meal together—something Guidara believes can transform the energy of a ballpark.
A Premium Space Designed for Exclusivity
Positioned directly behind home plate, the Athletic Club will be among the most exclusive areas inside the new stadium. Access will be reserved for A’s premium season-ticket members whose seats are located in the immediate home-plate section.
Members entering the club will find a private restaurant and supper club environment where they can enjoy a multi-course menu served at their table throughout the game. The experience is intended to combine the sophistication of a high-end restaurant with the excitement of live baseball.
The dining program will include:
- A rotating multi-course menu served by professional waitstaff
- Small plates designed for sharing
- A curated beverage program including craft beers, premium wines, and signature cocktails
- A comfortable lounge environment designed for socializing before and during the game
In addition to the main dining room, the club will feature an upscale lounge area where guests can relax with drinks and lighter fare while still maintaining clear views of the action on the field.
Personalized Hospitality at the Core
A defining feature of the Athletic Club will be its highly personalized service model. The hospitality staff will include trained maîtres d’, sommeliers, and dining concierges who will be responsible for ensuring that each guest’s experience feels tailored and memorable.
Staff members will track preferences for returning members, anticipate needs throughout the evening, and help coordinate special requests ranging from beverage selections to personalized celebrations.
The service philosophy reflects Guidara’s belief that hospitality should go beyond efficiency and instead focus on creating emotional connections with guests.
Throughout each game, the atmosphere will remain dynamic, with special food offerings, curated surprises, and unique features designed to keep the experience engaging from the first pitch through the final inning.
Among the highlights planned for the space are:
- Grab-and-go gourmet snacks for quick access during key game moments
- In-seat beverage service so guests never miss the action
- Surprise culinary experiences curated by the kitchen team
- A visually striking candy wall offering nostalgic treats and desserts
These elements are intended to create an environment where every visit feels slightly different while maintaining a consistent level of luxury and attentiveness.
Introducing the Diamond Club
Alongside the Athletic Club, the new stadium will also feature another premium destination known as the Diamond Club. This adjacent space will serve as a vibrant social hub for premium ticket holders who want an upscale but more casual game-day experience.
The Diamond Club will also be located behind home plate and will offer an all-inclusive food and beverage program. However, its concept focuses more on variety and social interaction rather than the formal dining atmosphere of the Athletic Club.
Guests in the Diamond Club will have access to multiple culinary stations offering a range of dishes inspired by the energy and creativity of the Las Vegas dining scene.
Food stations will feature:
- Locally inspired cuisine reflecting the flavors of the region
- Rotating chef’s specials created for each homestand
- Elevated takes on traditional ballpark favorites
- Interactive stations where chefs prepare dishes fresh in front of guests
The goal is to create a lively environment where fans can mingle, explore different foods, and enjoy a vibrant social atmosphere while still enjoying premium views of the game.
A Hospitality Vision Inspired by Las Vegas
For Alison Birdwell, President and CEO of Aramark Sports + Entertainment, the decision to create such immersive hospitality spaces was inspired directly by the city where the new stadium will reside.
Las Vegas is globally recognized for its entertainment, luxury dining, and hospitality excellence. Birdwell explained that the project team wanted the stadium’s premium offerings to reflect the same level of spectacle and innovation that visitors expect from the city.
Rather than simply replicating traditional premium suites found in many stadiums, the team sought to create experiences that would feel uniquely suited to Las Vegas.
By combining Aramark’s expertise in large-scale venue hospitality with Guidara’s creative approach to service, the partnership aims to redefine how fans think about stadium dining.
Birdwell noted that the collaboration with Guidara helps ensure that every detail—from menu design to service style—will feel distinctive and memorable.
Ticket Access and Membership Details
Access to both the Athletic Club and Diamond Club will initially be limited to fans who are part of the Priority Access List for the new stadium. These individuals will have the first opportunity to secure premium memberships once ticket sales officially open later this month.
Prospective members will need to schedule an in-person appointment at the Ballpark Experience Center located at UnCommons in Las Vegas. The appointments will allow fans to explore seating options, review membership benefits, and receive a detailed presentation of the new stadium’s hospitality offerings.
Availability will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis, reflecting the anticipated high demand for the limited number of premium seats available behind home plate.
Setting a New Standard for Baseball Hospitality
A’s President Marc Badain emphasized that the Athletic Club reflects the organization’s broader vision for its future home in Las Vegas.
According to Badain, the goal is to create experiences that fans cannot find anywhere else in Major League Baseball. By integrating exceptional food, thoughtful service, and a dynamic social atmosphere, the team hopes to establish a new benchmark for stadium hospitality.
The partnership with Guidara and Aramark represents a strategic effort to blend world-class dining with professional sports entertainment in a way that feels authentic to Las Vegas.
When the new ballpark opens in 2028, the Athletic Club and Diamond Club are expected to stand at the center of that vision—offering fans an experience that begins long before the first pitch and continues well after the game ends.
Through this innovative approach, the A’s aim to demonstrate that a baseball game can be more than just a sporting event. Instead, it can become a full evening of entertainment, dining, and connection—delivered with the level of hospitality that Las Vegas is known for around the world.
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