Miami is about to become one of the soccer capitals of the world as the Hard Rock Stadium gears up to host seven FIFA World Cup matches this summer! It all kicks off locally on June 15, so whether you’re heading to a match or simply soaking in the city buzz, here’s your essential guide to navigating the tournament.
📆 Match schedule
First things first, you’ll need to know which matchups are taking place at the stadium, temporarily named “Miami Stadium” for the tournament. From high-stakes knockout rounds to the anticipated Bronze Final, here are the dates and times to mark on your calendar:
- June 15: Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay (Group H) – 6 p.m.
- June 21: Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde (Group H) – 6 p.m.
- June 24: Scotland vs. Brazil (Group C) – 6 p.m.
- June 27: Colombia vs. Portugal (Group K) – 7:30 p.m.
- July 3: Round of 32 (1J vs. 2H) – 6 p.m.
- July 11: Quarter-Final – 5 p.m.
- July 18: Bronze Final (Third-Place Match) – 5 p.m.
Gates will open three hours before kickoff to allow fans enough time to enter the venue and get settled.
🚌 How to get to and from the stadium
Expect traffic around the stadium to be heavy, so public transit and shuttles are your best bet. There’s the Miami Game Day Express, a free shuttle service for ticket holders presented by Miami-Dade County. It runs roundtrip to the stadium on match days from the following four hubs:
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza Metrorail Station
- Golden Glades Multimodal Transit Station
- Aventura Brightline Station
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
If you’re taking a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said drop-offs and pick-ups will not be permitted at the stadium. Instead, guests are encouraged to use any of the following locations:
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
- Calder Casino
- Golden Glades Park & Ride
- Miami Game Day Express Shuttle Service
Another option is a shared shuttle service by Uber, which may be pre-booked and is $45 per person one way.
🅿️ Parking at the stadium
If you plan to drive, you’ll have to buy a parking pass in advance through JustPark, and a valid match ticket is required to complete the purchase. Unlike other events at the stadium like concerts, there will be no parking sales on site during match days. Lots will also open at least four hours before kickoff.
👜 Bags, flags and other policies
All matches will require clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″. Small clutch purses or wallets that do not exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″ and aren’t clear are also allowed.
As for fans cheering on their home nations, small flags, banners and posters cannot exceed 2m x 1.5m and must be made of fire-resistant material. Anything larger than that, including instruments, must be approved in advance via the online FIFA Fan Materials Portal at least 5 days before.
For a full list of prohibited items and other rules to know before you head out, visit the FIFA website.
🎟️ What to know about tickets
While many of the popular matches sold out during early presales, there are still plenty of tickets available with a chance for new batches to be released as the tournament progresses. For those that have the budget, plenty of hospitality packages are also being sold.
If the match you want is all sold out, you can look on verified resale websites like StubHub and Vivid Seats, which currently have active listings. Another route is the official FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace, which will remain open until one hour before kickoff for each Miami match.
⚽️ How to get in on the World Cup fever without tickets
If you don’t have a ticket, who says you can’t get in on all the fun? The city has tons of events bringing the tournament to life, from the official Miami FIFA World Cup 26 Fan Festival at Bayfront Park to an inflatable soccer ball scavenger hunt throughout Miami Beach.
We’ve also rounded up guides of where to catch a watch party in the city and what other events are taking place surrounding the World Cup.
