Axios Miami

June 26, 2026
π€© Happy Friday!
π§οΈ Today's weather: Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high of 90 and a low of 84.
π¨π΄ Sounds like: "EL RITMO QUE NOS UNE" by Ryan Castro, SOG, SelecciΓ³n Colombia.
π Happy birthday to our Axios Miami member Zach Cohen!
Today's newsletter is 1,106 words β a 4-minute read
1 big thing: Scots π«Ά Miami
Miami will always remember the Tartan Army invasion β not just for the soccer-and-beer-fueled parties but for the way the Scots immersed themselves in the city's culture.
Why it matters: The Scots looked like locals scarfing down Cuban sandwiches and Pub Subs, sipping on cafecito and boogying "all night long" from Ball and Chain to E11even nightclub.
- They supported the Miami Marlins and the Heat, gave local bars and restaurants much-needed business and created cross-cultural memories that will live on in our hearts (and on the internet).
Sad reality: As their World Cup hopes fade, many Scots are leaving Miami but they will always be welcome back.

Stunning stat: Miami's FIFA Fan Festival recorded 35,000 beer sales on Wednesday, when Scotland played Brazil, per Michael Davidson of Swarm Inc., the fest's event production agency and concessionaire.
- Ahead of the Scots' arrival, the fest was selling between 10,000 and 12,000 beers daily, Davidson said.
What they're saying: Scottish comedian Chris Laoch, who visited Miami from Texas, now has "305 till the death of me" on his Instagram profile.
- "This is gonna forever be my vacation spot now. I've totally fallen in love with this city," he said in an Instagram video. "The people are amazing, it's just such a melting pot of cultures and it blew me away."
- Despite saying he contracted a heat rash from wearing his kilt in Miami's humidity, Laoch said he loved the cafecito ("f--king jittered"), empanadas ("they've got all kinds of stuff [inside]") and guava pastelitos ("AMAZING").
Yes, but: "Wearing a kilt for seven hours a day in Miami heat probably isn't recommended."

What Scots love about Miami
Douglas Loggie, a Scottish fan visiting from Edinburgh, agrees that the best thing about Miami has been the people.
He said he liked Cuban coffee, too.
- "I didn't sleep a wink last night," he told Axios on Wednesday.
- "We don't like the heat, though. It's too hot."
Biggest culture shock visiting America? "The portion sizes have been big. It's been good β we've enjoyed it."
2. π¨π΄ Miami is ready for Colombia match
During the World Cup so far, Hard Rock Stadium has played host to big local fanbases like Brazil and Uruguay.
- But Colombia fans may take the cake when Los Cafeteros hit the field on Saturday, their first World Cup match in Miami.
Why it matters: There are over 105,000 Colombians living in Miami-Dade County, comprising one of Miami's largest foreign-born communities.
Zoom in: Colombia plays Portugal at 7:30pm at Hard Rock as both teams fight for first place in Group K.
- For neutral soccer fans, a chance to see Cristiano Ronaldo play for Portugal also makes Saturday's match a highly anticipated affair. (Resale tickets are starting around $3,000)
What they're saying: Fabio Perez, a Colombian living in Miami, tells Axios that Hard Rock will feel the Colombian energy.
- "The city is ready. We can't wait for this game. We're anxious. Playing Cristiano and Portugal takes it to another level. This stadium will be full of Colombians on Saturday and you're going to be able to feel it."
- Miami Police say the FIFA Fan Festival downtown is "expected to draw record attendance" Saturday due to "highly anticipated matches." (Argentina also plays later)
For non-Colombians trying to get into the mood for the match, Perez recommends trying a bandeja paisa β a typical Colombian meal.
Where to watch: The FIFA Fan Festival, your local sports bar or favorite Colombian restaurant.
- AndrΓ©s Carne de Res Miami on Lincoln Road has free entry and a welcome drink, and live music.
- The city of Coral Gables is hosting a free community watch party at Ponce Circle Park. Event grounds open at 6 p.m.
3. Cafecito: π½οΈ New South Beach food hall to open
The Supreme Court paved the way for President Donald Trump to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians living in the country. (Miami Herald)
Alligator Alcatraz, the immigration detention center in the Everglades, finally closed Thursday, months after officials began discussing its closure. (CBS News)
- Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava wants to sell the Alligator Alcatraz site to the National Parks Service. While the state seized the site, the county owns it. (Doug Hanks, X)
π² City Food Hall, an 18,000-square-foot food hall, is expected to open this summer in the former Time Out Market space, the latest tenant amid a resurgence of businesses on or near Lincoln Road. (The Real Deal)
4. π How to help Venezuelan relief efforts
Less than 24 hours after two massive earthquakes struck Venezuela and killed more than 180 people, local organizations and governments began accepting donations to deliver aid to the country.
- Officials expect the death toll to rise.
The big picture: The greater Miami area is home to the largest Venezuelan diaspora in the U.S.
- Someone in Miami launched a public website for Venezuelans to register building damage or collapses, per CNN.
Here's a non-exhaustive list of organizations and posts collecting donations:
Doral: Commonly known as "Doralzuela" because of its large Venezuelan population, the city partnered with Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) to launch an Earthquake Relief Drive.
- Residents can drop off donations at various locations throughout Doral. (This post lists the needed supplies and specific locations.)
Caracas Bakery: The local bakery is accepting water, nonperishables and other essential goods at the Doral and Biscayne Blvd. locations.
All for Venezuela: The community organization is accepting donations at its Pembroke Pines location.
Centro Comunitario AFE: The Doral-based organization will be accepting donations on Saturday until 3pm.
Zoom out: Organizations outside Miami have also begun collecting donations.
- GlobalGiving launched its Venezuela Earthquake Relief Fund to deliver immediate supplies and long-term services.
- The Venezuelan-American Chamber of Commerce launched a fundraising campaign.
5. πΈ 1 group pic to go
Our team celebrated the launch of Axios Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale last night!
- Thanks to everyone for attending.
π€ Martin and Sommer loved celebrating Naomi's launch and meeting readers at last night's event!
This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.
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