Enjoy the World Cup in Miami, with or without a ticket
In June this year, The FIFA World Cup
26™ is heading to Miami, with matches hosted at The Miami Stadium in Miami
Gardens across June and July. The city will stage seven matches during the
tournament, including a round of 32 knockout fixture, a quarterfinal and the
bronze final. Miami’s World Cup schedule begins with Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay on
15 June, followed by Uruguay vs Cape Verde on 21 June. The latter group
fixtures see Brazil face Scotland on 24 June, before Portugal take on Colombia
on 27 June.
Miami Gardens is where much of the
matchday focus sits and it’s worth spending time there beyond kick-off. The
area has a strong cultural identity and is particularly known for Caribbean and
soul food, making it a popular spot before and after games. Awash Ethiopian
Restaurant is well known for its shared platters and traditional dishes, while
Lorna’s Caribbean & American Grill serves Jamaican and Bahamian classics
such as jerk chicken and oxtail. For something more casual, Sunday’s Eatery and
Di Angelo Pizza are easy, quick options on matchdays. Nearby Topgolf also
offers a relaxed way to spend an afternoon or evening with food, drinks and
informal competition.
For fans spending time in the city
without a stadium ticket, or looking to watch matches in a shared setting, the
official Fan Festival will run at Bayfront Park from 13 June to 5 July. Open to
the public, the event will feature live match broadcasts alongside
entertainment, cultural performances, food and interactive activities. With
schedules due to be released closer to the tournament, the Fan Festival
provides a central place to experience the wider atmosphere of the World Cup
away from the stadium.
There are also lower key places to
spend time locally. Walt Frazier Park offers open green space for walking or
informal sport, while the Sunshine State Arch is a distinctive local landmark.
Calder Casino provides dining and gaming alongside large screens, which can
suit evenings built around match schedules.
Further afield, Greater Miami &
Miami Beach offers a wide mix of outdoor, cultural and leisure activities.
Those interested in spending time outside the city can kayak or paddle board at
Oleta River State Park, Crandon Park or the Deering Estate, or take boat trips
through Biscayne National Park, much of which sits underwater as part of the
Florida Reef. Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve are
also accessible for guided tours, hikes and scenic drives. Fairchild Tropical
Botanic Garden offers a more contained setting focused on plant collections and
landscaped grounds.
Miami’s arts and culture scene is
spread across several neighbourhoods. Wynwood is known for large‑scale street
art, while museums such as the Pérez Art Museum Miami, The Bass and History
Miami cover contemporary art, design and local history. In South Beach, walking
tours of the Art Deco District focus on architecture rather than exhibitions,
offering a different way to explore the area.
For downtime, there are spas and
shopping centres across the city, including Aventura Mall, Brickell City Centre
and Bal Harbour Shops, which are easy to fit around match schedules.
The World Cup may be the main event,
but Miami offers plenty to fill the days.
For more details of what's happening across the USA for the 2026 World Cup, visit our Football Fan Guide.