How to get around during the World Cup
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Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
Bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-95. Horns honking from just about every direction.
- Driving in Miami is a headache on most days. It's about to become a migraine.
Why it matters: About 600,000 soccer fans are expected to descend on Miami for the seven World Cup matches to be played at Hard Rock Stadium.
- To address the influx, Miami-Dade County this week unveiled its mobility plan for the monthlong event.
State of play: On game days, the county will offer free shuttle service between four transit hubs across Miami-Dade and Broward counties to and from the stadium.
- The hubs are: Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza Metrorail Station, Golden Glades Multimodal Transit Station / Tri-Rail, Aventura Brightline Station and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Between the lines: Ticket holders planning to drive to the stadium will need to purchase a parking pass ahead of time.
- Same-day passes won't be available.
Zoom in: The free shuttle is available only for verified ticket holders on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Fans can begin lining up at each location five hours before match time; boarding will begin four hours prior.
- Return shuttles will begin after the final whistle.
Yes, but: The county's travel site says arrival at the hub "does not guarantee access" to the shuttle nor arrival time at the stadium.
Zoom out: Transit options are also available for non-ticket holders to attend events around the county, particularly the Fan Fest, officials said.
- Metromover service will operate until midnight throughout the festival, and on June 23, 25 and 27, Metrorail and Metromover hours will extend until 1am.
Threat level: Some 30,000 fans are expected daily at the Fan Fest, per Miami's Host Committee, so if you're hoping to avoid crowds during the monthlong event, avoid:
- Downtown Miami, specifically Bayfront Park, where the fest is set;
- Miami Gardens (Hard Rock Stadium is at the northern edge of the county) and the Florida's Turnpike extensions near Miami Gardens;
- Miami's hot spots for tourists, like Wynwood and South Beach, where many fans are expected for game day watch parties.
The bottom line: "We're focused on one very important goal: making it easy, making it safe for people to move throughout our community," Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at a news conference.
- The goal, she said, is "to drive less and celebrate more."