26 Days Until the World Cup. Gas Is $4.43. Tickets Start at $330. Here's Your Weekly Update.
Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay. June 15. 6:00 PM. Hard Rock Stadium. Twenty-six days.
The first World Cup match at Hard Rock Stadium is 26 days away. A lot has happened since our last countdown update five days ago. Gas prices are worse. Ticket prices are clearer. And Time Out called us "not a tourist destination," which we had thoughts about. Here's where everything stands this week.
What changed since the last update
Gas prices hit a 4-year high in Florida
The statewide average peaked at $4.50 on May 7 before easing slightly to $4.43. GasBuddy released its summer forecast this morning projecting a $4.80 national summer average with possible record highs above $5.00 if the Strait of Hormuz stays closed. The EIA says flows may begin resuming in late May or early June, but full recovery could take through late 2026. For visitors planning to rent cars, and residents planning to drive to matches, the free Game Day Express shuttle just became the obvious financial call. Full breakdown in our updated gas prices guide.
Ticket pricing is now clear
Group-stage resale tickets for the opening matches (Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, Uruguay vs. Cape Verde) start at $330-$500. Brazil vs. Scotland has climbed to $1,600-$2,100+. Colombia vs. Portugal sits at $1,200-$1,800+. FIFA's official inventory is nearly gone. Hospitality packages start at $1,750 per person per game. Full pricing table in our ticket price guide.
Time Out dismissed Miami Gardens. We responded.
Time Out's World Cup guide called Miami Gardens "a largely residential suburb, and not a tourist destination in its own right with limited dining." We wrote a response with receipts: the jerk chicken, the griot, the doubles, the 25 things to do, and an open invitation to their editors to come eat on 27th Avenue before they finalize their guide.
The Dolphins schedule completed the annual calendar
Eight home games from September through January. Home opener September 27 vs. the Chiefs. Zero primetime games. The full schedule means we can now map every event day at Hard Rock Stadium for the rest of the year: 27+ major event days from June through January.
Still unknown
Road closure maps: Still not published. NW 199th Street and parts of NW 27th Avenue will have hard closures on match days, but specific boundaries and timing haven't been released. This is the single most important missing piece for Miami Gardens residents.
ICE at World Cup venues: No confirmation or denial from FIFA, DHS, or the White House task force. The Supreme Court ruling on Haitian TPS is expected in late June or early July, potentially during the tournament itself.
Fan Festival transit details: The FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park (June 13-July 5, free entry, 30,000 expected daily) has not yet released specific transit plans for getting fans to and from the downtown venue.
What to do this week
If you're a resident
Get your FIFA FAN ID if you have match tickets. You need it for the free shuttle and stadium entry. Register at FIFA.com.
If you're listing on Airbnb, your permit applications need to be in process right now. DBPR licensing takes weeks. Our Airbnb guide has the full checklist.
Review your insurance before June 1. Hurricane season starts in 12 days. Our insurance guide covers what to do.
If you're a visitor
Book transportation, not just tickets. Brightline trains sell out on match days. The free shuttle is first-come, first-served. Plan your transit route now.
Read the travel advisory if you're traveling internationally. Our practical guide covers your rights, what documents to carry, and where to find free legal help.
Budget for gas if you're renting a car. At $4.43+ per gallon (and rising), a week of driving adds $60-$90 in fuel on top of your rental. The shuttle is free.
If you're a local business
Get in the MiamiGardens.com directory if you aren't already. Update your Google Business Profile with World Cup hours and specials. Visitors are searching for restaurants and services near the stadium right now.
The complete World Cup content hub
Everything we've published so far, in one place:
Complete World Cup guide (matches, transport, restaurants, tips)
Parking and transportation guide
Full match schedule with team previews
Watch parties and Fan Festival guide
Travel advisory for international visitors
Free shuttle guide (Miami Game Day Express)
Airbnb hosting guide for Miami Gardens
Gas prices and fuel savings guide
Published: May 20, 2026. Sources linked throughout. For the full collection of World Cup coverage, start with our complete guide.
