What it was like to attend Miami's first World Cup match
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Uruguayan fans paint their faces with their national colors ahead of Monday's match. Photo: Martin Vassolo/Axios
Hard Rock Stadium has never hosted a World Cup match before — until Monday night, when the Dolphins' arena was transformed by FIFA into Miami Stadium for the first of seven matches in Miami Gardens.
Why it matters: The stadium is accustomed to hosting massive sporting events. It has hosted six Super Bowls. But organizers say this is like hosting seven Super Bowls in about a month.
Driving the news: The 65,000-seat stadium was packed Monday night as two-time World Cup winner Uruguay took on Saudi Arabia in a match that was personal for the thousands of Uruguayans who live in South Florida and fans from both teams who traveled to Miami for the tournament.
- The game ended in a 1-1 tie.
What it was like: Fans gathered hours ahead of the 6pm kickoff at a fan zone just outside the stadium, where they painted their faces, played soccer mini-games, and jumped up and down in jubilation for the rolling TV cameras.
- Although there was a heat advisory earlier in the day across Miami-Dade and Broward counties, storm clouds brought some relief from the sun without dumping any rain.
State of play: Fans of La Celeste — who have a sizable immigrant community in South Florida — outnumbered the green shirts of the Saudi faithful, but both nations were represented well.
- Inside the stadium, loud chants of "Uruguay! Uruguay!" competed with drumming and chanting from the Saudi fans.
- Uruguayans draped flags and signs all over the stadium, including one that simply read "Asado y Vino," or barbecue and wine.
Meanwhile, there were plenty of Mexico, Colombia and Argentina jerseys in the stands.
Threat level: Hard Rock Stadium revamped its security following the 2024 Copa America, when thousands of non-ticketed fans rushed past security ahead of the final match.
- Beginning with the 2025 Club World Cup, the stadium imposed new safeguards to keep non-ticketed fans from the campus.
- For Monday's match, fans told Axios the security screening to get into the stadium was quick and easy. There was a heavy police presence at the stadium, including sheriff's deputies with riot helmets.
Concession prices: Fans could find water for $6, soda for $7 and beer for $14.50. (For comparison, in Los Angeles, SoFi Stadium was charging $5.25 for water, $7.75 for soda and $18.50 for beer.)
- A meal of chicken tenders and fries cost $20, popcorn $14 and a hot dog $8.50.
📆 Who plays next at Miami Stadium: Uruguay returns on June 21 to take on Cabo Verde at 6pm.
- June 24: Brazil vs. Scotland, 6pm.
- June 27: Portugal vs. Colombia, 7:30pm.
- July 3: Round of 32 match: 1J vs. 2H, 6pm.
- July 11: Quarterfinal match, 5pm.
- July 18: Bronze match, 5pm.