Step Inside: Hard Rock Stadium – Home of the Miami Dolphins

Hard Rock Stadium is a multi-purpose facility for the Miami Dolphins located in Miami Gardens, Florida, roughly 20 miles from Miami Beach. The long-standing, versatile venue also houses the University of Miami Hurricanes football team, the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix and the annual Orange Bowl, and it was once home to the MLB’s Florida Marlins until 2011.

Since its opening in 1987 as Joe Robbie Stadium, the 64,767-seat outdoor stadium has undergone several name changes and renovations, the latter most recently having been completed for the 2016 season. Later, ahead of the 2019 Miami Open tennis tournament, more reconfigurations were added to make Hard Rock Stadium the permanent host for the event, and in 2020, the venue unveiled the SkyView open-air gondola attraction running along the complex’s southern border.

Hard Rock Stadium’s address is 347 Don Shula Drive, named after the Miami Dolphins’ Hall of Fame head coach Don Shula, who led the team to two Super Bowl victories in 1972 and 1973 and still holds the league-wide record for most regular season wins as head coach. A statue of Shula stands outside the stadium in the Joe Robbie Alumni Plaza “Walk of Fame,” which honors past Miami Dolphins players and staff.

What events are coming up at Hard Rock Stadium?

See upcoming events and buy tickets for Hard Rock Stadium right here on Ticketmaster.

Hard Rock Stadium opened in 1987 as Joe Robbie Stadium (named after the team’s founder), replacing the Miami Orange Bowl as the permanent home of the Dolphins. The facility cost $115 million to construct and has also gone by Pro Player Park, Pro Player Stadium, Dolphins Stadium, Land Shark Stadium and Sun Life Stadium. Hard Rock Cafe Incorporated purchased the naming rights in 2016 for 18 years at a rate of $250 million.

Hard Rock Stadium is one of nearly a dozen stadiums that will be the site of multiple matches as part of North America’s successful bid to host the 2026 World Cup. From 1993 through 2010, the stadium also hosted games for MLB’s Miami Marlins. Hard Rock Stadium was the first multipurpose stadium in the United States that was completely financed privately (by Robbie), using no local, state or federal tax money.

The Dolphins played their first regular season home game at Hard Rock in the 1987 season against the Kansas City Chiefs, which they won 42-0. Hard Rock Stadium later hosted its first Monday Night Football game on December 7 of that season, with the Dolphins achieving a 37-28 win over the New York Jets.

Miami has played eight playoff games in Hard Rock Stadium, going 5-3.

Parking and Admission at Hard Rock Stadium

The Miami Dolphins offer season and single game parking passes for Hard Rock Stadium. Parking lots are categorized by color: green, pink, maroon, orange and yellow. Orange and yellow parking lots are both the most abundant and also the most affordable. Parking passes come with the ability to tailgate for games as well. Advance parking passes cost $25 per game.

Green Lot parking gates open five hours before kick off, whereas all other lots open four hours before. Gates to the stadium open 90 minutes before kick off. Fans cannot re-enter after their ticket has been scanned.

Bag Policy at Hard Rock Stadium

Hard Rock Stadium has a clear bag policy that states only approved bags can be carried into the stadium. Those parameters include one bag that is clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and is 6″ x 12″. Other approved bags are one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags or small clutches that do not exceed the approximate size of a hand, or bags that meet medical exceptions after inspection.

Can you bring water into Hard Rock Stadium?

Yes, you can bring factory-sealed plastic water bottles that are 20 oz or less into Hard Rock Stadium. However, reusable water bottles are not allowed.

Hard Rock Stadium Capacity and Seating Options

For Miami Dolphins home games, Hard Rock Stadium has a seating capacity of 64,767. That’s considerably lower than its original capacity of nearly 75,000 as seats were removed during renovations over the years to create a more comfortable and luxurious atmosphere for fans.

The 65,326 permanent seats are either 19″ seats with chair backs and armrests for general seating or 21″ seats in the club sections. There are also 193 executive suits that range from 10 to 24 seats each. The largest-ever attended event at Hard Rock Stadium was a Billy Joel and Elton John concert in 1995 that drew 103,694 fans. The largest attended sporting event was WrestleMania, which had more than 76,000 fans.

How much are Miami Dolphins?

Ticket prices for Miami Dolphins games depend on a variety of factors, including date and time, city, matchup, seat location, and when the tickets are purchased. The average ticket for a Miami Dolphins game can cost anywhere between $205-$345.

What are the best seats at Hard Rock Stadium?

The best seats at Hard Rock Stadium vary depending on the event and personal preferences. Check out Hard Rock Stadium seating charts and find your favorite seat today.

Does Hard Rock Stadium have air conditioning?

Yes, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida has air conditioning in limited areas, including in the luxury seating areas, the club level, and suites.

Is Hard Rock Stadium covered from rain?

Yes, most of the seating at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida is covered from rain by a partial rain-and-sun-shielding roof.

Food and Beverage Options at Hard Rock Stadium

 

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Aside from popular stadium items like hot dogs, chicken tenders, and nachos, Hard Rock Stadium also carries gourmet options from culinary spots like Benihana, Shula’s, Edgewater Grille and Bru’s.

Fans can also purchase alcoholic beverages at vendors or restaurants. Options available include beer, wine, and cocktails. Fans cannot purchase more than two alcoholic beverages at a time and sales of alcohol stop in the third quarter of Dolphins games.

World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium)

Hard Rock Stadium will be renamed Miami Stadium during the 2026 World Cup. The home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, the venue will host seven World Cup matches: four in the group stage, one in the Round of 32, a quarterfinal, and the third-place match.

World Cup playing surface

Hard Rock Stadium typically hosts NFL games on artificial turf. For the World Cup, that surface will be changed over to natural grass.

World Cup seating and section changes

Hard Rock Stadium will have a seated capacity of 65,000 for its seven World Cup matches. The stadium is adding seating sections to improve sightlines for soccer matches.

Unlike other World Cup venues, Hard Rock Stadium did not have to remove corner seats to make space for a soccer pitch. The stadium’s four seating tiers remain largely intact, with lower central sections offering close proximity to the pitch and upper tiers providing a full bird’s-eye view, making these sections recommended for families.

World Cup security and access points

Security will be significantly heightened compared to a standard Dolphins game. Fans are advised to arrive at the stadium at least 60 to 90 minutes before kickoff for World Cup matches. There will be a three-checkpoint system in place ahead of World Cup games. Fans will be asked to show their ticket at each checkpoint, which spans a large radius outside of the stadium.

Parking, transit, and tailgate options for World Cup

The best public transit option to get to Hard Rock Stadium for the World Cup involves taking the Brightline train to Aventura Station, then boarding the Hard Rock Stadium Connect Shuttle, which departs approximately 10 minutes after each train’s arrival.

For those driving, the venue normally has over 26,000 but that number will be lower during the World Cup due to the expanded security checkpoint setups. All parking passes much be pre-purchased.

Using a rideshare to get matches is an option, but the pickup and dropoff location is not at Hard Rock Stadium and instead is nearly a 30-minute walk away. Learn more about transit and parking options for World Cup matches at Hard Rock Stadium.