The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is on, and football fever has reached a peak for what is set to be one of the world’s most-watched sporting events. While Miami prepares to host elite athletes and their devoted fans this summer, a recent study by SeatPick suggests the local experience may have room for improvement. Ranking all 16 host venues on fan experience, it placed the Hard Rock Stadium outside of the Top 10.
The rankings evaluated each stadium using several metrics beyond the field, including the price of beer, number of nearby bars and restaurants, public transit availability and local crime (theft) rates. The results? The Miami Gardens stadium placed 12th overall with a fan experience score of 5.19 out of 10.
Why the Hard Rock Stadium ranked so low
While it is praised for a high-energy atmosphere and a history of hosting major events like the Super Bowl and F1, its ranking on the lower side is due to its physical location and lack of “walkable” options.
The Hard Rock Stadium offers 103 public transport options as a plus, but there are zero bars and only three restaurants within a 20-minute walking radius. Beer is also priced on the higher end at $12. Conversely, SoFi Stadium and Levi’s Stadium serve the most expensive beer at $14, according to the study.
It could always be worse…. At the bottom of the SeatPick ranking was New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium with a 4 out of 10 score. Despite being a popular venue and hosting the World Cup final, it scored low due to a larger lack of walkable amenities.
If you’re curious about who took the top spot, that would go to Vancouver’s BC Place with a score of 9.48 out of 10. This was due to its high number of restaurants (454) and low crime rate. Monterrey’s Estadio BBVA followed at 8.6 and Seattle’s Lumen Field at 8.5 to round out the top three.