Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
Las Vegas Ballpark 1650 S Pavilion Center Dr Las Vegas, NV 89135
Year Opened: 2019
Capacity: 10,000
We Bet You'll Love This Ballpark
Las Vegas Ballpark opened in 2019, as the new home of the rechristened Las Vegas Aviators. The team is the AAA affiliate of the Oakland A’s, and they play in the Pacific Coast League. The stadium has two levels, a concourse level with the main seating bowl, and a club level, which includes 22 suites as well as a lounge and the press box. The capacity of the ballpark is 10,000, including 8,500 fixed seats, 500-600 spots on the berm, and 1,000 in the suites, club seats, and party decks.
The team, the ballpark, and even the surrounding community are owned and developed by the Howard Hughes Corporation. This is important to remember, as nearly all aspects of the club and stadium relate in some way to the late billionaire Howard Hughes, who was heavily involved in the aviation industry. He was a designer of planes, raced planes as a hobby, and owned several airlines at some point in his lifetime. His company is also the largest developer in the Las Vegas Valley.
The name of the team reflects Mr. Hughes’ passion for aviation. It is also a nod to Las Vegas being the home of the huge Nellis Air Force Base. Many design elements suggest a link to aviation. If viewed from the outfield, the stands around the infield form the general outline of a plane. The press box suggests the cockpit, with the stands going out to left and right fields serving as the wings.
We’ll be pointing out the other aviation references in the appropriate sections of this review.
Food & Beverage 4
Las Vegas is known as a foodie heaven, with many celebrity chefs setting up shop in the city. The lineup of food and beverage options at Las Vegas Ballpark reflects that, with a wider, and more diverse menu than you would typically find in a minor league ballpark. Fans with a taste for Latin foods can enjoy Crunch Time Nachos, BBQ Mexicana, and Home Run Tacos.
The Grill on First and Third offers burgers, chicken tenders, club sandwiches, and veggie burgers. Custom Hog Dogs serves gourmet hot dogs with sophisticated toppings. Frozen treats are available at Chillout, while Lea Lara’s Bananas offers frozen banana creations. Finally, Flight Deck Burgers offers both gourmet burgers as well as gluten-free options.
The Hangar bar is on the outfield concourse next to the pool. It serves a wide variety of craft brews.
Fans are allowed to bring one sealed plastic water bottle into the park to deal with the hot temperatures.
Atmosphere 4
Las Vegas Ballpark fits in seamlessly with its surroundings. The two backdrops to the park are the Red Rocks Mountains on one side and the lights of the Las Vegas Strip on the other. The exterior of the park and many of the interior elements come in hues of burnt orange and rust red.
This reflects the colors of the mountains in the distance but also is suggestive of the brilliant sunsets the area experiences. On the other side, the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” mantra is reflected in the design of the signage on the stadium's interior and exterior.
Other segments of the park salute the party image of the area, with numerous bars, group party areas, and even a pool perk that is available to large groups at the games.
As you would expect, a stadium in Las Vegas would have a top-of-the-line electronics package. The lighting and sound systems at Las Vegas Ballpark will not disappoint you. In addition, the video board at the ballpark is the largest in the MiLB, measuring a whopping 31 feet tall and 126 feet across.
Neighborhood 5
Las Vegas Ballpark is in the planned community of Summerlin. Parts of Summerlin are located within the Las Vegas city limits, while other parts lie in unincorporated Clark County. Like everything else associated with the ballpark, Summerlin is a product of the Howard Hughes Corporation.
The ballpark is located next door to Downtown Summerlin, a shopping district consisting of 125 stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Among the amenities in this area are Frankie’s Uptown, a bar/restaurant that is a popular postgame watering spot, Pieolgia Pizzeria, and Sports Town, which offers jerseys and other items from more than 100 sports teams in the MLB, NHL, NBA, and NFL. Summerlin is also home to the Red Rock Casino and Resort, which is two blocks from the ballpark.
It is important to hold on to your digital ticket from the Aviators ballgame, as it gets you a discount at many of the merchants and restaurants in Summerlin.
Fans 3
Las Vegas Ballpark offers several fan-friendly promotions regularly. This includes Bark in the Park once a month, Thursdays are $2 Beer Night, Fireworks occur on Fridays, and Sundays are Las Vegas Stars Throwback Days. Once a month the team becomes their alternate identity of Reyes de Plata (Silver Kings) to recognize the large Hispanic population in the Las Vegas area.
By the way, Aviator season ticket holders are known as “Frequent Flyers.”
Access 5
Summerlin and the Aviators ballpark are easily accessed from Las Vegas via Beltway 215. Once you arrive, there are three parking lots with 2,500 spaces surrounding the ballpark. There is also a regular bus service provided by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) to the area from downtown Las Vegas. There is an RTC bus stop right outside of Las Vegas Ballpark. Bike racks are also available at the stadium.
Once you arrive at the ballpark, it is easy to get into and around. There are three main gates located around the park, with multiple lanes at each gate. Gates open one hour before the first pitch. Las Vegas Ballpark has a 360-degree concourse, making it easy to get anywhere inside the venue. Signage for aisles and different services is excellent.
The rideshare pickup and delivery area is located at the Dining Arroyo in Downtown Summerlin.
Return on Investment 3
There are four main price points for tickets to an Aviator game. The lowest-priced tickets are $13 for the berm area in the outfield. There is a small seating area atop the outfield wall in the left field priced at $18. Infield seats are priced at $25. Seats behind the plate are $37 but are completely sold out for the season. Seats may be available in this section on the secondary market.
The food and beverage prices vary depending on which stand you purchase your food at. The Classics stand offers your typical ballpark menu and has the least expensive food. It also offers a Hungry Hotshots package for kids that includes a hot dog, apple slices, potato chips, and a drink for $8. The chef-driven concessions are the most expensive.
Parking is free in any of the ballpark parking lots.
Extras 4
The seats at the ballpark are made of mesh material. This keeps the seats cooler than a solid material, as air can circulate through them. This is particularly important, as Las Vegas can experience extremely hot temperatures during the summer.
2023 is the 40th anniversary of professional baseball in Las Vegas. There are numerous events surrounding this anniversary throughout the season, with salutes to the Aviators’ predecessors, the Stars and the 51s, as well as the current team.
The Aviators have two mascots, Spruce Goose, and the Aviator. The Goose is a reference to a wooden plane that Howard Hughes designed, built, and flew. It only flew once, as the spruce wood it was built out of was too heavy for the plane to gain any altitude. The Aviator is more symbolic, as he suggests an aviator in the military, with his crash helmet and reflective goggles.
Among the ballplayers who have worn a Las Vegas uniform on the way to the MLB are Pete Alonso, Jacob DeGrom, Jesse Chavez, and David Ross.
Final Thoughts
The Aviators are taking Las Vegas’ elevated standards for hospitality seriously.