Inter Miami launched a city-wide celebration as it prepares to open its long-awaited permanent home in Miami Freedom Park in 2026
Inter Miami is gearing up for an exciting milestone as the countdown to the grand opening of its permanent stadium, Miami Freedom Park, begins. The much-anticipated stadium, scheduled to be completed in time for the 2026 MLS season, will be located in the heart of Miami, adjacent to Miami International Airport. In celebration, Inter Miami painted the city pink on Wednesday with giveaways and special events at numerous locations throughout Miami, officially kicking off the stadium countdown.
Inter Miami's journey to Miami Freedom Park
Since its inaugural season in 2020, Inter Miami has been playing at the temporary 21,550-seat DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The club, co-owned by David Beckham and brothers Jorge and Jose Mas, always had its sights set on a permanent home in Miami. Now, that dream is set to become a reality with the construction of the new 26,700-seat stadium at the former Melreese Golf Course site.
The stadium is the centerpiece of a larger 131-acre development known as Miami Freedom Park, which will include a 58-acre public park, youth athletic fields, restaurants, retail shops, entertainment attractions, hotel accommodations, and office space. The first phase of construction, which is underway, will feature the stadium, park, and roadway infrastructure. This phase is set to be completed by late 2025.
The development at Miami Freedom Park will unfold in three phases. Phase two, expected to open in 2026 in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup, will introduce additional retail, dining, and entertainment options. Phase three will further expand entertainment offerings within the district. The project, expected to create over 13,000 jobs, will generate more than $40 million in tax revenue for state and local governments, further benefiting the Miami-Dade community.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced an $8 million grant to assist with infrastructure development around Miami Freedom Park, including a new roadway to ease traffic in the area. Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas expressed that the stadium and surrounding development will not only transform Miami’s sports scene but will also uplift the local community. Mas emphasized that the park will be the largest in the City of Miami and will be named in honor of his late father, Jorge Mas Canosa.
“We’re Coming Home” campaign and fan engagement
Inter Miamicelebrated the next stage in its evolution with a special city-wide promotion, encouraging fans to join in the festivities on Wednesday. Under the slogan, “We’re Coming Home,” players and staff visited popular Miami locations to connect with the community, offering giveaways and surprises throughout the day.
The festivities kicked off at 9:30 a.m., and the first 100 guests got free coffee at Mary’s Cafe & Coin Laundry. Fans also headed to Little Havana’s Chase Bank for a chance to win exclusive merchandise, while others can catch the Inter Miami crew at Mary Brickell Village around noon for more surprise giveaways. Later in the day, soccer enthusiasts joined the team at Soccer Cage Downtown, Brickell Soccer and Padel, and Stadio Soccer for some footy and a chance to snag more gear.
The celebrations continued at popular Miami bars like American Social, Grails, La Tropical, and Miami Mojito Company. These venues offered Inter Miami-themed limited-edition cocktails, with La Tropical offering free drink tickets and pink merchandise to the first 500 fans. Team players, including Owen Finnerty, Cole Jensen, Leo Afonso, and Noah Allen, were on-site to meet with fans, take pictures, and join them in the fun.
As Inter Miami approaches the 2026 season, the excitement surrounding Miami Freedom Park continues to build. David Beckham expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating that Miami Freedom Park is the culmination of years of hard work and vision. He described it as a lasting legacy for both the fans and the Miami community, a place where unforgettable soccer moments will be created.
Stay up to date with the updates on sports events in Miami and other local news by signing up for the Calle Ocho News newsletter. Interested in promoting your business to Miami’s vibrant community? Calle Ocho News also offers advertising opportunities to help you reach a broad and engaged audience.
News Source: Miami Herald
Add Comment