At a Glance
- Location
- Miami, Florida
- Country
- USA
- Metro Population
- 6.2 million
- Total Matches
- 7 matches
- Match Period
- -
- Primary Stadium
- Hard Rock Stadium
- Recommended Stay
- 3-5 days
- Daily Budget
- $120-250 USD per person
- Best Time to Visit
- Last Updated
Best Time
Ideal Stay
3-5 days
Daily Budget
$120-250 USD per person
Walkability
5/10 - Car/rideshare needed (South Beach walkable, rest needs wheels)
Transit
6/10 - Brightline 'End Zone Express' excellent for stadium, otherwise car needed
Safety
7/10 - Safe in tourist areas, avoid certain neighborhoods at night
About Miami
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens will host 7 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches from June 13 to July 18, 2026, including the prestigious Third Place Match (Bronze Final) on July 18 - the 3rd place playoff played the day before the Final. The 64,767-seat stadium is home to the Miami Dolphins and located 16 miles north of downtown Miami in suburban Miami Gardens. Miami has exploded as a soccer capital after Inter Miami CF won the 2024 Supporters' Shield (best regular season record) with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. Hard Rock Stadium features a massive roof canopy covering 92% of seats (protects from sun/rain). Best transport: Brightline 'End Zone Express' train + shuttle (45 min, $25-40) - avoids I-95 gridlock.
City Character
Miami is a tropical beach city with Art Deco architecture (South Beach), Cuban culture (Little Havana), street art (Wynwood Walls), and world-famous nightlife (E11EVEN, LIV). It's bilingual (70%+ Spanish speakers) and feels like a Latin American capital. South Beach is iconic with Ocean Drive's pastel buildings and white sand beaches. Brickell is the 'Manhattan of the South' with skyscrapers and rooftop bars. Wynwood is the hip art district with breweries. Little Havana offers authentic Cuban food and cigar shops. Miami is expensive ($250-600/night South Beach), hot/humid (90°F with 80-90% humidity), and traffic is brutal (I-95 gridlock). Plan transport carefully - Brightline 'End Zone Express' is the pro move.
Stadium Location
Hard Rock Stadium is 16 miles north of downtown Miami in suburban Miami Gardens (NOT in Miami Beach). From Downtown/Brickell: Brightline 'End Zone Express' train to Aventura Station (20 min) + shuttle to stadium (15 min) = 45 min total, $25-40. This avoids I-95 gridlock completely. Driving from South Beach takes 60-90 min with traffic. Post-match traffic nightmare (60-90 min to exit parking lots). CRITICAL: You MUST book 'End Zone Express' specifically (not just any Brightline train) - look for shuttle icon on gobrightline.com. Regular trains don't include stadium shuttle.
Critical Info
BRIGHTLINE 'END ZONE EXPRESS' CRITICAL: You MUST book this specific option (look for shuttle icon) - regular Brightline trains to Aventura don't inclu...
Where to Stay
Miami has 1,200+ hotels (65,000+ rooms). Expect 150-300% surge during World Cup. VIBE vs LOGISTICS debate: South Beach ($250-600) - iconic Miami experience, nightlife, beach, but NIGHTMARE 60-90 min commute to stadium. Brickell/Downtown ($200-450) - skyscrapers, rooftop bars, Brightline access, no beach. Aventura/Sunny Isles ($180-350) - closest upscale area to stadium (20-30 min), quieter beaches, family-friendly. Fort Lauderdale ($150-300) - cheaper, easier stadium access, Las Olas dining. Miami Gardens ($100-200) - budget, closest to stadium, nothing to do. Book 6+ months ahead for Third Place Match (July 18). Brightline access KEY.
Hard Rock Stadium
Miami Gardens, Florida
FIFA: Miami Stadium
64,767
Capacity
7
Matches
16mi
From Downtown
1987
Opened
Transport
Brightline 'End Zone Express' (train + shuttle, 45 min, $25-40) - BEST option
Economic Impact
$500-750 million USD to Miami metro economy from tourism, hospitality, and event spending
Get Involved
2,500 volunteers volunteers needed!
Miami Host Committee & FIFA World Cup 2026
Tropical beach city with Third Place Match (Bronze Final), Messi's Inter Miami, and world-famous nightlife
Top Highlights
Unique Experiences
- ★Watch Third Place Match (Bronze Final) - day before the World Cup Final (July 18
- ★Walk Ocean Drive past pastel Art Deco buildings with giant cocktails - iconic Mi
- ★Wynwood Walls street art pilgrimage - colorful murals by world-famous artists ($
- ★Cuban sandwich debate: Versailles (historic) vs Sanguich de Miami (locals' favor
- ★Cortadito (Cuban coffee) at a 'ventanita' (walk-up window) - $2-3
Perfect For
Beach lovers (South Beach, Sunny Isles, world-famous coastline)
Soccer fanatics (Inter Miami with Messi won 2024 Supporters' Shield)
Art enthusiasts (Wynwood Walls, Superblue, Art Basel scene)
Nightlife seekers (E11EVEN, LIV, world-class clubs)
This City Might Not Be For You If...
Match Schedule
7 matches • Group Stage, Round of 32, Quarterfinal, Third Place
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia vs 🇺🇾 Uruguay
Monday, June 15, 2026
6:00 PM ET
🇺🇾 Uruguay vs 🇨🇻 Cape Verde
Sunday, June 21, 2026
6:00 PM ET
🏴☠️ Scotland vs 🇧🇷 Brazil
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
6:00 PM ET
🇨🇴 Colombia vs 🇵🇹 Portugal
Saturday, June 27, 2026
7:00 PM ET
TBD vs TBD
Friday, July 3, 2026
6:00 PM ET
TBD vs TBD
Saturday, July 11, 2026
5:00 PM ET
TBD vs TBD
Saturday, July 18, 2026
5:00 PM ET
Stadium Quick Tips
Weather During World Cup
Hot, humid tropical summer • 78-90°F (hot afternoons, warm evenings)
Average High
90°F
(32°C)
Average Low
78°F
(26°C)
Rainy Days
15 days/month
per month
Humidity
80-90% (oppressive)
Morning humidity 85
What to Expect
Miami in June/July is intensely hot and humid. Expect daily highs of 90°F (32°C) with crushing 80-90% humidity making it feel like 100°F+. It rains almost every afternoon around 3 PM (brief but torrential thunderstorms lasting 30-45 min). Hard Rock Stadium has a roof canopy covering 92% of seats (protects from sun/rain), but concourses and parking lots are brutally hot. Hurricane season begins June 1 - monitor forecasts but don't panic (FIFA has contingency plans). Pack sunscreen (SPF 50+), hat, sunglasses, light breathable fabrics (linen), and rain poncho. Hydrate constantly (4-5 liters/day). Dress code: Never wear swimsuits into restaurants unless it's specifically a beach bar.
Daylight Hours
13-14 hours daylight • 6:30-6:45 AM - 8:00-8:30 PM
Humidity Pattern
Morning humidity 85-90%, afternoon 75-85%
Packing Essentials
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ (reapply hourly in humidity)
- Hat and sunglasses for parking lot/beach
- Light rain poncho (daily 3 PM thunderstorms)
- Linen/breathable clothing (cotton gets soaked with sweat)
- Comfortable walking shoes (but also sandals for beach)
- Cover-up for restaurants (no swimsuits outside beach bars)
- Clear bag for stadium (12x6x12 max)
- Power bank (10,000+ mAh)
- Deodorant (reapply throughout day)
Plan Your Visit
Everything you need for an unforgettable World Cup experience
Getting Around
Transport options
Metrorail + Bus Route 27 to Hard Rock Stadium (OR Uber)
$2.25 each way ($4.50 round-trip Metrorail + bus). Saves $55-115 vs Uber with surge.
Uber / Lyft
$30-70 normal from Brickell/Wynwood, $40-70 from South Beach, surge $60-120
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is South Beach from Hard Rock Stadium?
Far. It's about 18 miles physically, but in Miami traffic that can take 60-90 minutes driving. There is no direct public transit. Use the Brightline 'End Zone Express' instead (45 min total from Downt...
Read more →What is the Brightline 'End Zone Express'?
It's a special Brightline train ticket that includes a shuttle to Hard Rock Stadium. You MUST book this specific option (look for the shuttle icon on gobrightline.com). Cost: $25-40, Time: 45 min tota...
Read more →What is the 'Third Place Match' (Bronze Final)?
This is the official FIFA term for the 3rd Place Play-off match, played between the two losers of the Semifinals. It's a prestigious match often featuring top teams (think Netherlands, Croatia, Belgiu...
Read more →Does Hard Rock Stadium have a roof?
Sort of. It has a massive canopy roof that covers 92% of the seats, protecting fans from sun and rain. The stadium is still open-air (not fully enclosed), so concourses and parking lots are hot and hu...
Read more →Did Inter Miami really sign Messi?
Yes! Lionel Messi signed with Inter Miami CF in July 2023. He led the team to win the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield (best regular season record), cementing Miami as a top-tier soccer city ahead of the W...
Read more →What is the Cuban sandwich debate?
Versailles ($12) is the historic classic on Calle Ocho - go here for the atmosphere, the Hall of Mirrors, and to say you've been. It's the 'tourist essential.' Sanguich de Miami ($13.50) is the modern...
Read more →Should I stay in South Beach or Downtown/Brickell?
The Great Debate: VIBE vs LOGISTICS. South Beach ($250-600/night) - iconic Miami experience, Art Deco, Ocean Drive, nightlife, beach, but NIGHTMARE 60-90 min commute to stadium and expensive. Brickell...
Read more →What is the SunPass toll thing?
SunPass is Florida's electronic toll system (think E-ZPass). Tolls are everywhere in Miami. If you rent a car and use the rental agency's SunPass transponder, you'll be charged $25/day 'convenience fe...
Read more →Can I wear my swimsuit to restaurants?
NO (unless it's a beach bar). Miami has a dress code despite the beach vibe. 'No shoes, no shirt' will get you kicked out of nice places in Brickell and even many South Beach restaurants. Bring a cove...
Read more →Is Miami safe for tourists?
Generally yes. Tourist areas (South Beach, Brickell, Wynwood, Coconut Grove) are heavily policed and safe. South Beach can get rowdy late at night with drunk tourists. Avoid walking alone in unlit are...
Read more →