The longest-tenured professional sports team in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Aviators (Aviators)—formerly known as the Las Vegas 51s and the Las Vegas Stars—hold a special place in the city’s newfound status as a sports mecca. The team’s roots trace back to 1983, when the Pacific Coast League franchise relocated to Las Vegas from Spokane, Washington, becoming the Las Vegas Stars, Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres.

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According to Don Logan, chief operating officer and president of the Las Vegas Aviators—affectionately known for decades as “Mr. Baseball”—Las Vegas is a true baseball town with a history that began almost 80 years ago with the Las Vegas Wranglers Baseball Team (1947–1958). “Baseball brought the first professional sports team to Southern Nevada, and the team’s history has been nothing but remarkable and enduring. Today, as an affiliate of the Athletics—the MLB team that will soon call our city home—our pedigree and legacy continue to grow.”

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In 2001, Las Vegas became the top farm club for the Los Angeles Dodgers, coinciding with a rebranding of the team as the Las Vegas 51s—a nod to Area 51. The team quickly adopted the alien head logo and introduced an extraterrestrial mascot named Cosmo, playing at Cashman Field for 12 years until it was purchased in 2013 by Summerlin Las Vegas Ballpark Club, a 50/50 joint venture of The Howard Hughes Corporation and Play Ball Owners Group.

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In 2017, the LVCVA approved a 20-year, $80 million naming rights agreement to help fund Las Vegas Ballpark, the new $150 million, 10,000-seat stadium, which opened in 2019. The Ballpark features 22 suites, a center field pool, kids’ zone, several bars, a Club Level, and an elevated food and beverage program in partnership with Professional Sports Catering. It’s no surprise the Ballpark is considered one of the best in Minor League Baseball, having been named Best Ballpark in 2019, 2021, and 2022 by Ballpark Digest’s “MiLB Best of the Ballparks.”

With the new stadium came a new team name: the Las Vegas Aviators, which pays homage to former owner Howard R. Hughes Jr.—one of the twentieth century’s most successful businessmen, whose passion for aviation and legacy of innovation included significant aviation-related firsts and accomplishments.

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Today, the Las Vegas Aviators remain part of the Pacific Coast League, becoming the affiliate of the Athletics in 2019. The team and stadium were acquired by Seaport Entertainment Group (SEG) in 2024. The Aviators’ season is currently underway—its 42nd in Las Vegas.

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With a strong focus on community, the Las Vegas Ballpark hosts over 100 community events and activations annually, alongside a robust calendar of theme nights and promotions supporting the team’s 75 home games each season. These popular theme nights add excitement and draw thousands of fans each summer. From Star Wars and Princess nights to Harry Potter, Looney Tunes, and Superman, the Ballpark is easily one of Las Vegas’ top destinations for summertime family fun.

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Other major events at the Ballpark include Battle for Vegas—the ultimate softball showdown featuring players from the Vegas Golden Knights and Las Vegas Raiders—as well as Enchant Christmas (the world’s largest holiday light maze), Flicks on the Field, college baseball tournaments, the AIDS Walk, Kids Day, MLB Spring Training games, Vitalant Blood Drive, and many more.

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If you haven’t been yet, what are you waiting for? It’s an experience unlike anything else in Triple-A baseball. As the song goes, Take me out to the ball game! Learn more and get tickets at aviatorslv.com.