What to know about Miami's World Cup fan fest. Expect water-powered jet packs
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Jet pack soccer? Only in Miami. Rendering: FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee
The FIFA World Cup fan fest in Bayfront Park will feature watch parties, live entertainment and an only-in-Miami spectacle involving water-powered jet packs.
Why it matters: If you don't want to pay thousands of dollars for a decent ticket at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami's World Cup host committee says the downtown festival will act as a "second stadium experience."
- Miami-Dade County is paying around $14 million to subsidize these public viewing parties, the Miami Herald previously reported.
Driving the news: The host committee says the 23-day fan festival, taking place from June 13 to July 5, will feature giant digital screens broadcasting the matches and live performances from the Bayfront Park amphitheater.
- Up to 30,000 fans per day are expected, the host committee says.
Meanwhile, Biscayne Bay will be part of the festivities, too.
- "Soccer on the Bay," a series of "high-energy water shows," will combine "sport and spectacle through performances involving personal watercraft and water-powered jet packs," a spokesperson tells Axios.
- The Herald reports that participants will try to score goals with a jumbo inflatable soccer ball.
The intrigue: Uncertainty over federal security funding has raised doubts about the viability of the festival, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced last month it had awarded a total of $625 million to the 11 World Cup host cities.
- Asked about the funding last week, a host committee spokesperson told Axios there "are no finalized details to share regarding the allocation of FEMA grant funds."
- Regardless, organizers have said they are committed to holding the festival.
Zoom out: There will also be a series of free public watch parties across Miami-Dade County, including:
June 27 — Colombia vs. Portugal
- 7:30pm at Palmetto Golf Course.
July 18 — Bronze Cup
- 5pm at Little Haiti Park and North Beach Sand Bowl.
July 19 — Gold Cup
- 3pm at Amelia Earhart Park, North Beach Sand Bowl and Tropical Park.
What's next: Additional watch parties may be announced.