6 Days. This Is It. The Final Countdown Before the World Cup Arrives in Miami Gardens.
Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay. Monday, June 15. 6:00 PM. Hard Rock Stadium. Six days from right now.
Six days. That's all that separates today from the moment the first World Cup match kicks off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay. June 15. 6:00 PM. The tournament officially opens in Mexico City on Wednesday (June 11), but the first ball kicked in our city is seven days away.
This is the last countdown we'll publish before match week begins. Starting next Monday, MiamiGardens.com shifts from preview mode to live coverage. From here on out, everything is real. Here's where every single detail stands.
What's new this week
Parking is $100-$300 per match. Must be purchased 24 hours in advance.
Miami New Times confirmed this weekend that stadium parking passes cost $100 to $300 per match, vary by fixture (Brazil and Colombia/Portugal are the most expensive), and must be purchased at least 24 hours before kickoff through FIFA's approved parking site alongside your tickets. This is new information that changes the transportation math significantly.
At $100-$300 for parking plus $4.43/gallon gas, driving is now the most expensive way to attend a match. The free Game Day Express shuttle from Golden Glades, Aventura, MLK, or Seminole Hard Rock costs $0. The HRS Express Park and Ride is $10. The free shuttle just became the only financially sane option.
Colombia vs. Portugal tickets surged to $2,648+
When we published our ticket price guide in mid-May, Colombia vs. Portugal resale started at $1,200-$1,800. It's now $2,648+ for the cheapest seats. The June 27 match has become the most expensive group-stage fixture at the Miami venue, surpassing even Brazil vs. Scotland ($1,651+). South Florida's massive Colombian community is driving demand through the roof.
Broward announced 4 free World Cup watch parties
Broward County is hosting four free watch parties at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise during the tournament. This adds a major free viewing option for fans in western Broward, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, and Weston who don't want to trek to the Bayfront Park Fan Festival in downtown Miami. Combined with the Fan Festival (30,000 daily, free) and local bar/restaurant watch parties, the no-ticket viewing network is strong.
The Clean Zone ordinance is live
We published the full Clean Zone explainer today. Ordinance 2025-003-483 restricts unauthorized vending, parking, signage, and pedestrian access around Hard Rock Stadium on match days. Based on the 2025 Club World Cup, restrictions begin 4-5 hours before kickoff. Residents within the zone need proof of address to access their homes. If you live near the stadium, read that article before Monday.
The stadium is now "Miami Stadium"
Per FIFA rules, all sponsor branding must be removed from venues during the World Cup. Hard Rock Stadium is officially operating as "Miami Stadium" for the duration of the tournament. The signage is changing this week. If your Uber driver can't find "Miami Stadium," tell them Hard Rock. The locals will know.
Sheriff outlined security measures
Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz held a press conference Friday with county, state, and federal officials outlining security preparations. "Public safety doesn't happen overnight," she said, confirming that drilling has been ongoing for months. The FBI confirmed no credible threats but is watching drones (fines up to $100K), cyber scams, and lone wolf concerns.
The final schedule
| Date | Match | Kickoff | Ticket Price (from) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, June 11 | TOURNAMENT OPENS (Mexico City) | Various | N/A (watch on FOX) |
| Fri, June 13 | Fan Festival opens (Bayfront Park) | All day | Free |
| Mon, June 15 | Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay | 6 PM | $344+ |
| Thu, June 19 | Juneteenth | ||
| Sun, June 21 | Uruguay vs. Cape Verde | 6 PM | $354+ |
| Wed, June 24 | Scotland vs. Brazil | 6 PM | $1,651+ |
| Sat, June 27 | Colombia vs. Portugal | 7:30 PM | $2,648+ |
| Fri, July 3 | Round of 32 | 6 PM | $500+ |
| Sat, July 11 | Quarterfinal | 5 PM | $800+ |
| Sat, July 18 | Bronze Final | 5 PM | $600+ |
The 7-day final checklist
If you have match tickets
Get your FIFA FAN ID today. Not tomorrow. Not Thursday. Today. You need it for the free shuttle, stadium entry, and to prove ticket ownership. Register at FIFA.com. If you haven't done this with 7 days to go, you are behind.
Decide: shuttle or parking. Shuttle is free. Parking is $100-$300 and must be purchased 24 hours before the match. If you're shuttling, pick your hub (Golden Glades for Miami Gardens residents). If you're parking, buy the pass now for June 15 through FIFA's approved site.
Pack your match-day bag. Rain poncho ($3, umbrellas are banned). Empty clear water bottle up to 1 liter (free refill inside). Sunscreen SPF 50+ (UV index 11-12). Portable phone charger. Small towel. Total: under $30. Full weather guide here.
Download FOX One. Even if you're going to the stadium, you'll want the app for watching other matches during the tournament. All 104 games stream free. TV guide here.
If you're a resident (no tickets)
Save the match dates on your calendar: June 15, 21, 24, 27 and July 3, 11, 18. Plan errands, commutes, and daily routines around these days.
Read the Clean Zone explainer if you live near the stadium. Restrictions start hours before kickoff. Keep proof of residency in your car. Plan alternate routes for NW 199th Street and NW 27th Avenue.
Pick a way to watch. FOX and FS1 carry every match free. The Fan Festival at Bayfront Park is free (June 13 through July 5, 30,000 daily). Broward's four free watch parties at Amerant Bank Arena. Or find a restaurant on NW 27th Avenue with a screen and a plate of jerk chicken for $12.
Enjoy this. The biggest sporting event in the world is in your city. Whether you're inside the stadium or watching from your couch, this is a moment that 112,000 Miami Gardens residents will remember. The Colombian fans in yellow, the Scottish fans in kilts, the Brazilian drums, the Portuguese flags. For five weeks, the world is coming to your neighborhood. Let it in.
If you're a local business
This is your last week to prepare. Google Business Profile updated? World Cup hours on your signage? Listed in the MiamiGardens.com directory? The visitors are landing this week. If they can't find you online, they can't find you at all.
The complete MiamiGardens.com World Cup hub
Over the past month, we've published the most comprehensive World Cup coverage of any local site in Miami Gardens. Here's everything, in one place:
| Guide | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Complete World Cup guide | Matches, transport, restaurants, tips |
| Meet the 7 teams | Every squad, every star, every fanbase |
| Free shuttle guide | 4 hubs, how it works, Golden Glades tip |
| Clean Zone explainer | Restrictions, access, what to expect |
| Weather guide | Rain, heat, what to pack, daily pattern |
| Security briefing | FBI, drones, scam warnings, no threats |
| Travel advisory | Rights, documents, consulate registration |
| Ticket prices | Every match, resale data, free alternatives |
| TV and streaming guide | FOX, FS1, free apps, bar recommendations |
| Watch parties | Fan Festival, local venues, Broward parties |
| Airbnb hosting guide | Permits, taxes, pricing, host tips |
| Hurricane contingency | What happens if a storm hits during matches |
| Messi/Argentina | The path to a quarterfinal in his backyard |
| Gas prices | $4.43/gallon and why the shuttle saves $350+ |
| Hotel bookings report | Below expectations, what it means locally |
That's 15 World Cup articles covering every angle: logistics, money, safety, weather, culture, and community impact. No other local site in Miami Gardens has this depth. If you're a visitor, start with the complete guide. If you're a resident, start with the Clean Zone and the shuttle.
Published: June 9, 2026. All sources linked within. Ticket prices from Miami New Times (June 6, 2026). Security details from CBS Miami (June 5, 2026). Parking data from Miami New Times World Cup guide.
