Miami
Miami brings the loudest Latin football atmosphere of any US host city. Hard Rock Stadium is in Miami Gardens. South Beach, Wynwood murals, and Little Havana make Miami a top World Cup destination.
8
Total Matches
65,326
Capacity
Open
Roof
Hot and very humid
June Weather
Match Schedule - Hard Rock Stadium
Group Stage
Knockout Rounds
Getting to Miami
Airports near Hard Rock Stadium and how to get from each to the venue.
MIA - Miami International
20 km / 25-50 minClosest major airport. Tri-Rail train + transfer to bus, or rideshare $30-55.
FLL - Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
20 km / 25-45 minSame distance as MIA but often cheaper flights. Rideshare $30-55, or Tri-Rail south to Hollywood + bus.
Stadium
Hard Rock Stadium
Full guide →Hard Rock Stadium hosts the 3rd place match as well as a quarterfinal at the 2026 World Cup. One of the few venues that didn't need an artificial turf replacement - it already plays on Bermuda natural grass. Miami is the most Latin American major US city, making it a natural World Cup home with massive local passion for football.
Capacity
65,000
Surface
Bermuda grass
Roof
Open
Opened
1987
Address
347 Don Shula Dr, Miami Gardens, FL 33056, USA
Getting Around Miami
Rideshare
Main option for getting to the stadium - book well in advance on match days
Tri-Rail
Commuter rail with a stop at Miami Gardens - limited service but avoids traffic
Metrorail
Miami's metro doesn't reach the stadium directly - connects downtown to Palmetto area
Driving
I-95 access but traffic is severe post-match - budget 1.5 hours to get back
To the Stadium
Hard Rock Stadium is in Miami Gardens, north of the city. Uber/Lyft from South Beach or downtown takes 25–45 minutes. Tri-Rail commuter rail offers a limited alternative.
Where to Stay in Miami
Three price tiers across Miami. Book early - World Cup tournament dates push prices 2-5x higher than normal.
Budget
$150-250Miami Gardens / Hollywood / North Miami
Walking or short Uber to Hard Rock Stadium. Less nightlife, more hotel chains.
Mid
$250-450Brickell / Wynwood / Mid-Beach
Best food, art, and walkability. 25-35 min to the stadium by Uber.
Luxury
$600-2000+South Beach / Bal Harbour / Miami Beach Edition
Iconic Art Deco luxury (Faena, Edition, 1 Hotel, Setai). Concierge handles transport to Hard Rock.
South Beach
Iconic Art Deco strip, beach access, nightlife - pricey but central to Miami experience
Wynwood
Street art district with the best restaurants and bars, trendy and walkable
Brickell
Miami's financial district, great hotel deals, walkable waterfront
Miami Gardens (near stadium)
Budget hotels close to Hard Rock Stadium, convenient for match days
Fan Zones & Where to Watch in Miami
FIFA Fan Festival expected at Bayfront Park (downtown Miami) on the water. Wynwood Walls also planning a fan-zone activation. Miami hosts the 3rd Place playoff so expect peak fan-zone activity in mid-July.
Official Fan Zones
- •Bayfront Park (downtown Miami) - expected primary site
- •Wynwood Walls outdoor plaza
- •Miami Beach SoundScape Park
Football Pubs
- •American Social - Brickell, sports bar with full football coverage
- •Tap 42 - multiple Miami locations, big-screen culture
- •Lagniappe - South Beach, Argentine-style for Conmebol matches
- •The Cuban Guys / Versailles - Little Havana, Latin America fan crowd
Where to Eat in Miami
Versailles
iconic Little Havana Cuban restaurant, a Miami institution
KYU
acclaimed wood-fired Asian BBQ in Wynwood
Joe's Stone Crab
legendary South Beach seafood, open seasonally (check ahead)
Zak the Baker
great sandwiches and pastries in Wynwood
Money, Tipping & Tax in Miami
Currency
USD ($)
Cards everywhere. Carry $30-50 cash for taxis at the airport (Uber is cheaper) and small vendors.
Tipping
18-20% at restaurants (often automatically added at South Beach); $1-2 per drink; 15-20% for rideshare. Check bill - many restaurants add 18-22% gratuity automatically and you might double-tip without noticing.
Tax notes
Florida sales tax 7%. Miami Beach has additional resort taxes. Restaurant menu prices don't include tax or tip - final bill ~30% above menu.
Language in Miami
Primary language: English (Spanish is the de facto second language - many staff prefer it). A few phrases that go a long way:
Hola, gracias
Hello, thank you
La cuenta, por favor
The check, please
¿Habla inglés?
Do you speak English?
What to Pack for Miami
Hot and very humid, 28–33 °C. Hurricane season starts June 1 - afternoon thunderstorms common.
- ✓Lightweight, breathable clothing - June 80-92°F (27-33°C) and very humid
- ✓Rain jacket / compact umbrella - daily afternoon thunderstorms
- ✓Swimsuit (you'll want to use the beach)
- ✓Sunscreen SPF 50+, reef-safe if going to the beach
- ✓Sunglasses + hat
- ✓Flip-flops + comfortable walking shoes
- ✓Stadium clear bag for Hard Rock
Connectivity & Emergency Numbers
Phone & WiFi
Excellent 5G. eSIM from Mint or US Mobile. Free WiFi in most hotels, on Miami Beach trolleys, and at the airport.
Emergency
911
Police, fire, medical
Is Miami Safe? - Safety Notes for World Cup Visitors
South Beach, Brickell, Wynwood, Coral Gables are safe day and night. Overtown and parts of Liberty City are best avoided. Be alert at night anywhere - petty theft and rental-car break-ins are common. Don't walk on the beach alone late at night.
Areas to avoid
- ×Overtown at night
- ×Liberty City
- ×parts of Little Haiti late at night
Quick Tips
Miami has a huge Latin American fan base - expect electric, carnival-like atmospheres
South Beach is 30 min from the stadium - Uber/Lyft recommended, avoid driving
Stay hydrated - June heat and humidity in Miami can be brutal
South Beach gets extremely crowded and expensive during big events - book far ahead
Hard Rock Stadium Facts
Hosts both the 3rd place match and a quarterfinal - two major knockout games
One of the only WC venues that needed NO turf replacement - already on natural Bermuda grass
Miami is 70% Hispanic/Latino - arguably the most football-mad US city
A massive renovation in 2016 added the unique canopy shading all 65,000 seats
Has hosted 5 Super Bowls, making it one of the most Super Bowl-experienced venues
Miami World Cup FAQ
How do I get from South Beach to Hard Rock Stadium?+
Hard Rock is 30 km from South Beach (40-60 min by car depending on traffic). Rideshare $40-80, or take MetroRail at Earlington Heights then dedicated stadium shuttle on match days. Driving is faster but stadium parking is $40-80.
Is South Beach safe at night for World Cup visitors?+
Ocean Drive is busy and safe through midnight; the rest of South Beach is generally safe. Watch your drink and your phone in clubs. Don't walk on the beach at night - it's poorly lit and unsafe.
How bad is Miami summer weather during the World Cup?+
Hot (85-92°F) and very humid (80%+). Daily afternoon thunderstorms are normal but usually pass in 30-60 min. The stadium is partially covered. Plan indoor activities (museums, restaurants, malls) for the worst heat hours (12-4pm).
Do I need to speak Spanish in Miami?+
No - English is universal in tourist areas. But Spanish is the dominant language in many neighborhoods (Little Havana, parts of Hialeah and Doral). Learning a few phrases is appreciated and may get you better service in family-run restaurants.
Where is the World Cup 3rd Place match being played?+
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens hosts the 3rd Place playoff on July 18, 2026. The Final is in MetLife (NY/NJ) the next day, July 19.