Hard Rock Stadium
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| Hard Rock Stadium | |
|---|---|
| Name | Hard Rock Stadium |
| Location | Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 25, 57, 29, N... |
| Broke ground | December 1, 1985 |
| Opened | August 16, 1987 |
| Owner | Stephen M. Ross |
| Operator | Miami Dolphins Ltd. |
| Surface | Platinum TE Paspalum grass |
| Construction cost | $115 million, ($300 million in 2023 dollars) |
| Architect | HOK Sport (now Populous) |
| Former names | Joe Robbie Stadium (1987–1996), Pro Player Park (1996), Pro Player Stadium (1996–2005), Dolphins Stadium (2005–2006), Dolphin Stadium (2006–2009), Land Shark Stadium (2009–2010), Sun Life Stadium (2010–2016) |
| Tenants | Miami Dolphins (NFL) (1987–present), Miami Hurricanes football (NCAA) (2008–present), Miami Hurricanes baseball (NCAA) (1993–2011), Florida Marlins (MLB) (1993–2011), Orange Bowl (NCAA) (1996–1998, 2000–present), Miami Open (ATP/WTA Tour) (2019–present) |
| Seating capacity | Football: 65,326, Tennis: 14,000 |
Hard Rock Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Miami Gardens, Florida, a northern suburb of Miami. It serves as the home venue for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League and the Miami Hurricanes football program of the University of Miami. Since opening in 1987, the stadium has hosted numerous high-profile events, including six Super Bowl games, two World Series, and four BCS National Championship Games, establishing itself as a premier destination for major sporting and entertainment events in the United States.
History
The stadium was conceived by Joe Robbie, the original owner of the Miami Dolphins, who sought a modern, football-specific facility to replace the aging Miami Orange Bowl. Construction began in 1985, with the venue opening in 1987 as Joe Robbie Stadium, financed primarily through private funds, a novel approach at the time. In 1990, the stadium was expanded to accommodate the Florida Marlins expansion Major League Baseball franchise, which began play in 1993. The facility underwent a significant series of renovations starting in 2015, spearheaded by current Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross, which included a complete canopy installation over the seating bowl, upgraded suites and clubs, and the addition of four large video boards, transforming its aesthetics and fan experience.
Features and facilities
The stadium's most distinctive architectural feature is its translucent, cable-suspended canopy, designed to provide shade and cover for all seating while allowing the natural grass playing surface to thrive. The playing field itself is a state-of-the-art, tray-based Platinum TE Paspalum grass system that can be rolled out for optimal conditions. Premium amenities include the 72 Club and the Captains Club, along with over 10,000 club seats and 240 suites. For the Miami Open, a temporary 14,000-seat tennis stadium is constructed within the main bowl, alongside dozens of additional courts in the surrounding parking lots, creating one of the world's largest tennis facilities.
Major events
Hard Rock Stadium has a storied history of hosting premier events, most notably serving as the site for Super Bowl games in XXIII, XXIX, XXXIII, XLI, XLIV, and LIV. It has been the home of the Orange Bowl college football game since 1996 and has hosted the BCS National Championship Game in 2001, 2005, 2009, and 2013. The stadium was the home of the Florida Marlins for their 1997 World Series and 2003 World Series championship seasons. It also regularly hosts international soccer matches, concerts by major artists like Beyoncé and The Rolling Stones, and, since 2019, the prestigious Miami Open tennis tournament.
Tenants and usage
The primary tenant is the Miami Dolphins, who have played all their home games at the stadium since its opening. The Miami Hurricanes football team moved its home games from the Miami Orange Bowl to the stadium in 2008. From 1993 to 2011, the stadium was the full-time home of the Florida Marlins and also hosted Miami Hurricanes baseball during that period. Since 2016, the venue has been the permanent home of the Orange Bowl, one of the New Year's Six bowls in the College Football Playoff system. The Miami Open, a premier event on both the ATP Tour and WTA Tour, relocated from Key Biscayne to a custom-built tennis campus at the stadium in 2019.
Naming history
The stadium has had several naming rights partners since its inception. It opened as Joe Robbie Stadium before becoming Pro Player Stadium in 1996 under a deal with the Fruit of the Loom subsidiary. Following the expiration of that deal, it was briefly named Dolphins Stadium and then Dolphin Stadium. A short-term agreement with Anheuser-Busch led to the Land Shark Stadium name in 2009. In 2010, a deal with the Canadian financial services company Sun Life Financial resulted in the Sun Life Stadium name. The current naming rights agreement with the global hospitality and entertainment brand Hard Rock International was secured in 2016, leading to the stadium's present designation.
Transportation and access
The stadium is located at the intersection of NW 199th Street and NW 27th Avenue, providing direct highway access via the Turnpike and Interstate 95. Public transportation is served by Miami-Dade Transit bus routes, with enhanced service on event days. For major events like the Super Bowl or the Miami Open, special shuttle services are often implemented from central locations like Downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The stadium complex features over 25,000 on-site parking spaces, and its location near the Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport makes it accessible for national and international visitors.
Category:Stadiums in Florida Category:Miami Dolphins Category:NCAA football venues Category:1987 establishments in Florida