2026 marks the second year of the Athletics’ three-season stay in Sacramento — a transitional period while Las Vegas remains a construction site. For many fans, the wait is both tiring and uncertain. And perhaps that’s why the Athletics have chosen a very familiar way to keep people coming back: giveaways.
The 2026 promotional schedule, just announced, is more than just a list of giveaways. It’s more of a message. A deliberate effort to make Sutter Health Park a “must-visit destination,” at least for nights with bobbleheads, jerseys, or fireworks.
Everything kicks off right from the Home Open on April 3rd against the Astros. Fans attending the game will take home a magnetic schedule, stay for the post-game fireworks, and then be rewarded with Sacramento yellow jerseys and gloves for the remaining two games of the series. There’s no gap. No time for the excitement to die down.
But the real highlight lies in the small plastic figurines.
Nick Kurtz — AL Rookie of the Year — got his bobblehead on April 17th. So early it’s attention-grabbing. For a franchise searching for a new icon, framing Kurtz in his second year isn’t just a tribute; it’s a gamble. A’s is making it clear: this is the face of the present.
And if you missed Kurtz, there are still plenty of other dates to consider: Jacob Wilson on June 20th, Shea Langeliers on August 15th, and Mark Kotsay — Head Coach — on August 28th. An interesting choice. Not only does A’s honor the player, but it also reminds fans they still have a “guide” during this turbulent period.
Other gifts also have a very… Sacramento flavor. Grogu from Star Wars appeared on March 12th, and the buildable Tower Bridge — a symbol of the city — was released on August 2nd. Combined with the Sacramento gold jersey, it’s hard not to notice one thing: the A’s are embracing Sacramento more than anything else.
At least visually.
This creates a strange feeling. Strategically, Sacramento is still just a temporary stop. But the giveaway calendar tells a different story—a story about building connections, creating memories, and making fans feel like they’re not just “holding a spot” for Vegas.
The problem is: giveaways only get people to the gates of the arena, they don’t keep them there if there’s nothing to believe in on the field.
The A’s have an exciting offense, promising young players, and a few moments that get viewers on the edge of their seats. But consistency is what they’re lacking. And in the context of last season’s lowest MLB attendance, this promotion calendar looks like a test: can emotion compensate for results?
There’s nothing wrong with giving away bobbleheads, jerseys, or fireworks. Baseball is always about experience. But when a team relies heavily on off-field elements to attract fans, the question “something’s not right” begins to surface—quietly, but persistently.
Sacramento in 2026 will have more gifts, more color, more local symbols. Now there’s only one thing A’s can’t put on the calendar: a team good enough to get people to come to the game, even if there’s nothing to take home.
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