Short-term rental demand in Miami for the World Cup is booming.

Why it matters: Miami is about a month away from the start of the tournament and the potential economic impact is slowly coming into view.

Driving the news: Miami — which is hosting seven matches between June 15 and July 18 — has seen nightly demand increase between 54% and 118% year over year for some match days, according to data from AirDNA.

• Booked rates are going as high as $346 for the quarter-final round, up 24% compared to the same time in 2025.

Yes, but: A majority of Miami's listings remain unbooked. During the group stage, about 37% of listings are booked, per AirDNA data.

• Last year, Miami had an occupancy rate of about 62% in June and July, according to AirDNA economist Bram Gallagher, who tells Axios he expects rooms to continue filling up as the tournament draws closer.

Between the lines: Beyond the group stage, fans don't know yet where their teams may play, which could lead to last-minute bookings, he said.

• "I think we will see rates higher than that this year, particularly on game days and the days before, but also in certain sub markets such as Venetian/Star Islands and Pinewood..." he wrote in an email.

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Ahead of the World Cup, Airbnb announced a series of "one-of-a-kind fan experiences" for fans to partake in.

Why it matters: Miami is one of several host cities the hospitality giant is targeting in an effort to "unite fans" and offer new ways to engage with the games, the hospitality giant said in a news release.

State of play: Participants will play a match with soccer legends Lloyd Sam and Bradley Wright-Phillips in Miami Stadium.

• Participants will get kitted, walk the players' tunnel and play an 11v11 match.

If you go: The event will take place the morning of the tournament's Final, June 19.

• Tickets for the experience are available beginning May 20 and will cost $250 per person, a spokesperson tells Axios.

Tell a fan

"I just remember everyone singing 'Happy Birthday' and then there was an explosion."

🎬 Two Miami-Dade sheriff's deputies are suing Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's production company over the Netflix movie "The Rip," which was inspired by a drug-cash seizure in Miami Lakes. (Entertainment Weekly)

• The deputies claim Damon and Affleck's portrayal of the characters defamed them.

The widow of a man killed in the 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University is suing ChatGPT maker OpenAI, alleging the AI chatbot gave the shooter advice on how to commit the crime. (Associated Press)

After 25 years in business, Cheese Burger Baby is being evicted to make way for a new hotel.

Why it matters: As Miami continues to grow, another legacy business bites the dust — at least for now.

Driving the news: The South Beach burger shop shared a copy of its eviction notice on Facebook, saying it has until June 27 to move out.

• The notice was sent by 1515 Washington Acquisition LLC, which plans to build a seven-story hotel with two restaurants on the site, according to the South Florida Business Journal.
• A retail building and 13-unit apartment currently sit on the development site at 1509 and 1515 Washington Ave.
• The hotel project — which also involves the partial demolition of the historic Haddon Hall hotel at 1500 Collins Ave. — is led by Keyah Real Estate Group and Grup Peralada, according to The Real Deal.

What they're saying: Cheese Burger Baby said on Facebook that it won't close for good.

• "Yes, change is here, but we are not going anywhere. Big news is coming, the kind that proves you cannot stop what we built. A new chapter is loading, and it is going to be more Miami than ever."

Tell a burger lover

There's never a dull moment in South Florida's development scene.

• Here's the latest on what buildings have broken ground and what projects are on the horizon.

CORA Merrick Park: Coral Gables's first wellness-focused residences recently broke ground on its 74-unit building.

• Floor plans include one-to-three-bed-plus den residencies, and range in price from the $900,000s to over $4 million, per a news release.
• The building's wellness amenities focus on "biohacking and longevity" and feature a fitness center with a dedicated recovery zone, contrast hydrotherapy pools and the first rooftop padel court in Coral Gables.

Opus at 701: The new condo building is set to replace the Manhattan Tower in Fort Lauderdale's North Beach area following the approval from the Fort Lauderdale City Commission last week, according to The Real Deal.

• Designs for the 13-story, 54-unit building include a fitness center and spa, a rooftop infinity pool and above-ground parking.

Black Sheep Coffee: The international coffee brand recently signed a multi-unit development agreement to expand across Miami Beach, delivering a minimum of six locations over the next five years, per a news release.

• The deal will add to its existing Coconut Grove shop and a soon-to-open location in Doral.

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