ONE YEAR OUT: COUNTDOWN TO FIFA WORLD CUP 26™ IN MIAMI BEGINS

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Greater Miami and Miami Beach Solidify Position as Global Sports Capital

MIAMI, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This week marks one year until FIFA World Cup 26™ action arrives in Greater Miami and Miami Beach—with seven electrifying matches set for Hard Rock Stadium (to be named Miami Stadium during the matches) in Miami Gardens. The destination is already at the epicenter of international sports. From the FIFA Club World Cup kicking off this week to marquee annual events like the Capital One Orange Bowl, Miami Open and Miami Marathon—and a blockbuster lineup of international tournaments on the horizon—Miami continues to prove itself as a global magnet for world-class competition.

This summer, Greater Miami will host legendary clubs—including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors, and Inter Miami—for the FIFA Club World Cup (June 14–July 13). These matches will help heat up the atmosphere ahead of World Cup 2026, when seven matches—spanning the Group Stage through Quarterfinal and Bronze Final—will bring fans to Miami Stadium starting June 15, 2026.

"Today marks more than just a countdown—it's a celebration of Greater Miami's role on the world stage," said David Whitaker, President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). "The road to the FIFA World Cup 26™ runs right through our vibrant and globally connected community. Over the next year alone, we'll host everything from the FIFA Club World Cup and the NHL Winter Classic to the College Football National Championship, the World Baseball Classic, and the NASCAR Championship. Very few destinations can deliver that breadth of global competition in such an iconic, culturally rich setting. Miami has become a magnet for the most prestigious sporting events on the planet—not just because of our world-class venues, but because of the energy and unforgettable experiences that only this destination can offer."

Miami stands out as one of the most vibrant and energetic destinations on the FIFA World Cup 26™ circuit. Its strong Latin American and Caribbean influences fuel a unique atmosphere—where spontaneous street celebrations, colorful fan gatherings, and nightlife that stretches into the early morning are part of the experience. In Miami, it's not uncommon to spend the afternoon at a world-class match and the evening relaxing by the ocean or cruising on the bay. This effortless mix of global sports excitement and tropical leisure creates a travel experience that's unlike anywhere else.

A Year-Round Powerhouse for Global Events:

Beyond the FIFA World Cup 26™, Miami's sports calendar is packed with elite events that continue to elevate its global stature. In the next 12 months alone, the destination will host:

FIFA Club World Cup (June 14 – July 13, 2025)

• June 14: Al Ahly FC vs. Inter Miami CF
• June 16: CA Boca Juniors vs. SL Benfica
• June 18: Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal
• June 20: FC Bayern Munich vs. CA Boca Juniors
• June 23: Inter Miami CF vs. SE Palmeiras
• June 25: Mamelodi Sundowns FC vs. Fluminense FC
• June 29: Round of 16 – 1D vs. 2D
• July 1: Round of 16 – 1H vs. 2G

College Football National Championship and Playoffs (January 2026)

• January 1: Capital One Orange Bowl College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
• January 19: College Football Playoff National Championship

NHL Winter Classic (January 2026)

• January 2: NHL Winter Classic – Florida Panthers vs. New York Rangers at loanDepot park

World Baseball Classic (March 6–17, 2026)

• March 6-11 – Pool D Play: Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Israel, Nicaragua
• March 13-14 – Quarterfinals
• March 15-16 – Semifinals
• March 17 – Championship Game

FIFA World Cup 26™ Matches (June–July 2026 at Miami Stadium)

• June 15: Match 13 – Group Stage
• June 21: Match 37 – Group Stage
• June 24: Match 49 – Group Stage
• June 27: Match 71 – Group Stage
• July 3: Match 86 – Round of 32
• July 11: Match 99 – Quarterfinal
• July 18: Match 103 – Bronze Final

NASCAR Cup Series Championship (November 6–8, 2026)

• November 8 – NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race

These high-impact events are anchored by a robust annual roster, including the Miami Open, Miami Marathon, Bacardi Cup Regatta, Capital One Orange Bowl, Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix and full seasons of the Miami HEAT, Miami Dolphins, and Miami Marlins, Inter Miami CF. 

Through targeted sports marketing campaigns, global partnership-building, and a strong cultural brand identity, the GMCVB and its partners have solidified Miami's reputation as a premier sports tourism destination. This year, the GMCVB launched an evergreen campaign designed to encourage fans not just to attend matches, but to linger and explore everything Greater Miami has to offer—from vibrant neighborhoods and world-class dining to beaches, arts, and culture. Building on a rich annual sports calendar—from the iconic Bacardi Cup sailing regatta to the electrifying Wodapalooza fitness festival - the GMCVB is leveraging each major event to weave unforgettable, multi-day travel experiences. To learn how sporting occasions in Miami become an opportunity to immerse in tropical lifestyle and sustained tourism: visit HERE.

A Legacy of World-Class Hosting:

Greater Miami's ability to attract global competition isn't new - it's rooted in decades of proven success:

• Miami has hosted a record-tying 11 Super Bowls, a testament to its infrastructure and hospitality.
  
  
• It remains the only destination to host all three rounds of the World Baseball Classic - the First Round, Second Round, and the Championship.
  
  
• The Capital One Orange Bowl has been played in Miami since 1935, making it the second-oldest bowl game in college football.
  
  
• Miami will make history by hosting Florida's first-ever outdoor NHL game as part of the league's iconic Winter Classic—and it's happening in true Miami style, inside loanDepot park, a venue typically home to Major League Baseball. This bold, first-of-its-kind transformation reflects the creativity and adaptability of Miami's venues, which continue to rise to the occasion - no matter the sport, season, or scale.

"From fútbol to football, hockey to motorsports, tennis to marathon and open-water swimming, Miami doesn't just host events - we set the stage for unforgettable global moments," added Whitaker. "This is the power of a destination that knows how to welcome the world - and keep it coming back."

As we look ahead to June 15, 2026, the kickoff of FIFA World Cup 26™ in Miami Stadium, Greater Miami and Miami Beach stands ready—not just to host the world, but to own the global spotlight.

About the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB)
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is an accredited, independent, not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami & Miami Beach for leisure, business, meetings and conventions. For a vacation guide, visit MiamiandMiamiBeach.com or call 1.888.76.MIAMI (U.S./Canada only) or 305.447.7777. To reach the GMCVB offices, call 305.539.3000. Meeting planners may call 1.800.933.8448 (U.S./Canada only) or 305.539.3071 or visit MiamiMeetings.com. Follow us on social media: Facebook.com/visitmiami, X.com/visitmiami, Instagram.com/visitmiami and Pinterest.com/visit_miami.

SOURCE Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB)