Bayfront Park Chosen as Official FIFA Fan Festival Site for 2026 World Cup

In a major announcement, City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and the Miami Host Committee confirmed that Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami will serve as the official FIFA Fan Festival™ site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 32-acre waterfront park will transform into the epicenter of celebration and community for local residents and visitors from around the world as Miami takes its place on the global soccer stage.

What to Expect at the Fan Festival

The FIFA Fan Festival™ will be a free, family-friendly celebration open to all ages, designed to capture the excitement of the World Cup. Fans can expect:

• Live match screenings on massive LED screens showing all seven matches hosted in Miami at Hard Rock Stadium.
• Concerts and DJ performances featuring top international and local artists throughout the tournament.
• Food and beverage activations highlighting Miami’s diverse culinary scene.
• Cultural exhibits and interactive experiences celebrating the spirit of the game and the city’s multicultural identity.
• Merchandise zones and partner activations from global and local brands.

The Fan Festival is expected to run for approximately three weeks, coinciding with the World Cup tournament dates in June and July 2026. Specific schedules, performer lineups, and event hours will be announced in the coming months.

Why Bayfront Park Was Selected

Bayfront Park was chosen for its central location, stunning waterfront views, and proven track record hosting major events. Situated in the heart of Downtown Miami, the park is surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues, making it the ideal site for welcoming thousands of fans each day.

The park’s layout — including its open green spaces and amphitheater — provides a natural setting for large-scale gatherings while maintaining easy access to public transportation such as the Metromover and Metrorail. Its location along Biscayne Bay also ensures that visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the water and skyline, further enhancing the festival experience.

Miami’s Role in FIFA World Cup 2026

Matches at Hard Rock Stadium

Miami is set to host seven FIFA World Cup matches at Hard Rock Stadium, including four group-stage games, a Round of 32 match, a quarterfinal, and the prestigious third-place playoff. These matches will attract soccer fans from every continent, positioning Miami as one of the marquee host cities of the tournament.

Government and Private-Sector Collaboration

Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami have committed significant financial and logistical support to ensure the success of both the tournament and the Fan Festival. Miami-Dade County officials have pledged cash support not to exceed $10.5 million, along with substantial in-kind services for public safety, permitting, and transportation support.

In total, the public commitment — including contributions from surrounding municipalities — is estimated to reach roughly $46 million, supplemented by an additional $100 million in private fundraising through the Miami Host Committee. These funds will not only support event operations but also finance legacy projects aimed at improving infrastructure and community facilities long after the tournament ends.

Economic Impact on Miami-Dade County

Hosting the FIFA World Cup is expected to deliver an unprecedented economic windfall for Miami-Dade County, with early projections estimating between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion in total impact. This includes direct and indirect spending on tourism, hospitality, retail, entertainment, and transportation.

The event is expected to attract 700,000 to 1 million visitors to the region, filling hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues during what is typically Miami’s slower summer season. Local businesses across the hospitality and service sectors will see a significant boost, while temporary job creation will help fuel local employment.

Officials have likened the impact to hosting seven Super Bowls back-to-back, underscoring the scale of the opportunity for South Florida’s economy. The long-term benefits are also expected to include increased global visibility, enhanced tourism infrastructure, and stronger positioning for future international events.

Beyond the Tournament: Lasting Legacy for Miami

The World Cup presents Miami with a rare opportunity to leave a lasting legacy that extends well beyond the tournament. As part of the hosting agreement, Miami-Dade County is investing millions into community-focused legacy projects, ensuring that the improvements made in preparation for the event benefit residents for years to come.

The FIFA Fan Festival™ at Bayfront Park will showcase the city’s culture, energy, and global influence — uniting locals and visitors in celebration of sport, music, and diversity. Beyond the immediate economic impact, the festival will help further establish Miami as a world-class destination for international events and a city that thrives at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and sport.

What Fans and Residents Can Expect

• Free admission to all FIFA Fan Festival™ events at Bayfront Park.
• Daily entertainment including live matches, music performances, and interactive activities.
• Enhanced transportation options, including extended Metromover and Metrorail service, along with dedicated event shuttles.
• Increased security and street closures around downtown during the festival period.
• Local business participation, providing food, drinks, and cultural showcases throughout the park.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark a defining moment for Miami — one that highlights its global reach, vibrant culture, and ability to host world-class events on an unprecedented scale. From the high-energy matches at Hard Rock Stadium to the unforgettable experiences at Bayfront Park’s Fan Festival, the world will once again have its eyes on Miami.

Miami Selected to Host the World Cup in 2026

The long-awaited list of cities and sites for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, was released on Thursday by FIFA, the world soccer governing body. Miami and Hard Rock Stadium has made the cut and we can’t be more excited!

Along with Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, and New York/New Jersey; Miami was one of 11 U.S. cities to make the list.

The televised announcement was watched on giant screens by a boisterous gathering of fans and elected officials at the famed soccer tavern Fritz & Franz Bierhaus in Coral Gables, which has historically been a hotspot for soccer watch parties in Miami. The notable in attendance included Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor Francis Suarez, and Rolando Aedo, and the Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Tommy Mulroy, a long-time local soccer promoter and former Miami Toros and Fort Lauderdale Strikers player, has been waiting for this moment for years and was ecstatic on Thursday after being a member of the failed Miami bid in 1994. “This is a long time coming. We fit every criteria. It’s a bicycle kick every criteria for us. It’s time and we’re going to do a great job. In 1994 people here didn’t know what a World Cup was. I had to convince people they would sell tickets. Even now, people think it’s another Super Bowl coming, but it’s so much bigger. I anticipate we’ll have five games and each game will bring a whole new group of tourists,” states Mulroy.

Sixty games are anticipated to be held in the United States, with ten games each in Canada and Mexico. Canada’s games will be held in Vancouver and Toronto, while Mexico’s will be held in Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Mexico City, where two World Cup finals were held at Azteca Stadium.

Each bid committee in the United States has been urged to prepare for up to six games, but they won’t know how many until 2023. Members of the Miami committee will meet with FIFA officials in New York City early next week, but no schedule or other specifics will be finalized until after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which will take place in November and December of this year.

According to Mayor Suarez, “The U.S. hasn’t had a World Cup since 1994, and in those 30 years, Miami has become a dynamic, global city. All the people who live here from all over the world will be rooting for their teams. A lot of hard work was done by a lot of people to make this happen. I feel like I played a game, I am all sweaty.”

FIFA used a complicated point system to evaluate the proposed sites, which included stadium (35%), airport/transport/mobility (13%), estimated revenue from tickets/hospitality packages (10%), estimated revenue from media/marketing rights (10%), predicted organizing costs (10%), proposed international broadcast center (7%), accommodations (6%), team/referee facilities (6%), and proposed FIFA Fan Fest locations (6%). (3 percent).

Hard Rock Stadium is well known for holding international sporting events such as the Miami Open tennis tournament and the Miami Grand Prix Formula One race.

The World Cup schedule will probably come out in 2023 with the actual team selections occurring in 2025. The tournament is set to begin on June 11, 2026, with the final scheduled for July 12. Each location would likely host five to six games, with a knockout round matchup thrown in for good measure.

The tickets will more than likely go on sale in 2024 and the estimated costs for all round is around $300.