The Miami Dolphins are an iconic NFL team based in the Miami Metropolitan area. They are two-time winners of the Super Bowl and play in the glorious arena called the Hard Rock Stadium.
The Dolphins attract enormous crowds for game days. The team is also known for some notable mentions in movies and shows like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Ballers, and Draft Day.
With the season starting in September, the Miami Dolphins fans hope their team reaches the Super Bowl for the first time since 1985, and if not, at least they will get to enjoy the many amenities the stadium offers.
Let’s discover everything regarding the stadium!
- Hard Rock Stadium: Key Facts
- Where Is the Hard Rock Stadium Located?
- Best Way to Get to Hard Rock Stadium
- Parking Near Hard Rock Stadium
- The Best Restaurants Near Hard Rock Stadium
- The Best Bars Near Hard Rock Stadium
- The Best Hotels Near Hard Rock Stadium
- The History of Hard Rock Stadium
- Where to Get Tickets for Hard Rock Stadium
- Does the Hard Rock Stadium Offer Tours?
Hard Rock Stadium: Key Facts
The Dolphins have been tenants of this ground since 1987 when they left the Orange Bowl Stadium. Back then, it was known as the Joe Robbie Stadium, named after the owner and investor.
It currently has a capacity of 64,767 for football games, and you have to join a long waiting list to get your hands on a ticket.
Getting into the VIP section requires one to make a deposit on the team’s website before the season begins. Once you do that, you will join a long waiting list for the chance to have an enhanced viewing experience in the VIP.
There is tailgating before games at the Fountain Plaza. That’s an activity football fans take part in before games, usually in a designated area on the stadium’s premises, where they eat, drink, and socialize.
Besides being the home of the Miami Dolphins, the Hard Rock Stadium, as a multi-purpose venue, has found other uses like hosting concerts, tennis matches, boxing matches, and soccer games.
It is also the home of the Miami Hurricanes, a college football team representing the University of Miami.
The Stadium has been selected as one of the grounds which will host the 2026 World Cup in soccer.
Where Is the Hard Rock Stadium Located?
The stadium is situated in Miami Gardens, a city in the north part of Miami-Dade County. The address of the arena is 347 Don Shula Dr, Miami Gardens, Florida, 33056, USA. Interestingly, the street got its name from Don Shula, a legendary Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins.
The location is convenient for attending events, but not so much if you want to grab a drink or get something to eat in a restaurant or bar outside of the stadium and all the noise.
Pretty much everything you would need is on-site at the arena, and outside there isn’t much choice within walking distance.
Key information
| Address | 347 Don Shula Dr, Miami Gardens, Florida, 33056, USA |
| Capacity | 64,767 |
| Team | Miami Dolphins |
| Working Hours | The stadium opens 4 hours before kick-off and closes shortly after the games are over |
| Contact Information | Main Phone Number 305 – 943 – 8000 Special Events Bookings 3005 – 943 – 6311 Ticket Office 305 – 943 – 6678 Team Store 305 – 943 – 7980 [email protected] |
| Website | www.hardrockstadium.com |
Best Way to Get to Hard Rock Stadium
There are numerous ways to get to the arena, and it depends on where you’re coming from as well as your choice of transportation.
The location is very convenient, near major highways like the Florida Turnpike and Interstate 95, making it accessible regardless of your starting point in Miami-Dade County.
Remember that on game days, traffic is congested, and you will have to leave early to avoid getting stuck.
Driving to Hard Rock Stadium
Whether you’re in Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Downtown Miami, or the Miami airport, you will first need to get to I-95 North or South in order to reach the Florida Turnpike. Then take exit 2X for the stadium.
Many transparent road signs will safely guide you to your destination.
Using public transportation
If you decide to use public transport, there are a few bus routes that make a stop nearby the Hard Rock Stadium. For example, 297, 287 Express, 27, MGDBLU, 95 Express Golden Glades, MGDORG, and 99. From the bus stop, it is a give-or-take 15-minute walk to the stadium.
There is a Transit Tracker app you can download, which allows you to follow all the routes and find the nearest stops. This might come in handy for your other ventures in the city.
Uber
Uber and other similar services will take you straight to the stadium. There are designated pick-up and drop-off areas.
Shuttle service
If you’re planning on staying in a hotel, make sure to check if they offer a shuttle service for game days and at what price. If you’re in the area, this is a great amenity a hotel can have as it will provide you with a carefree experience.
Parking Near Hard Rock Stadium
There are 26,718 car parking spots on the premises of the Hard Rock Stadium, with a further 171 spots for buses, yet parking can still be a tricky task on game day.
On-site parking costs anywhere from $15 to $50. Parking Lots 19 and 20 of the Hard Rock Stadium are free, but getting a spot there is difficult.
If you’re considering going with a car and parking elsewhere, then be prepared to walk long distances, as parking lots are scarce. Considering how the gates usually open four hours before the game, it’s probably for the best to be there early.
The Best Restaurants Near Hard Rock Stadium
The best food in the area can be enjoyed on-site at the stadium. There are three main levels designated as 100, 200, and 300, where you can find many eating options.
Because of the stadium’s location, there aren’t too many restaurants in the vicinity like there are around other stadiums in America. Those that exist are primarily meant to serve the residents of Miami Gardens and not traveling football fans.
On-site
There are many concessions for food and drink on all levels. Below we have listed the ones that do not require special memberships, while in the bars section, we have provided more details about the clubs and suites memberships and what they offer.
Club 100 Level
Some of the hospitality brands having concessions on this level are Benihana, Chef Creole, Deli Express, Edgewater Grille, Fare Grab’n’Go, Flat Pie Pizza, Flatbreads and Fare, Shula Burger, Sloppy Joe’s, Stahl Mayer’s Hot Dog, Sweet Spot, Tostito, etc.
Club 200 Level
Avo Eats Grill, Cheeseburger Baby, Flat Pie Co, Goal Line Grill, Seafood Republic, Sushi Maki, Sobe Q, etc.
Level 300
Edgewater Grill, Farmstead Chicken, Bru’s Room, Benihana, Foku, Menchie’s, Pollo Tropical, etc.
In the neighborhood
Most of these places are inconvenient to visit on foot. The best to visit are the following:
- Pollo Tropical is a restaurant specializing in chicken dishes, and it is located 1 mile away.
- World Famous, a Korean restaurant 1 mile from the Hard Rock Stadium.
- Lorna’s Caribbean and American Grill is a lovely place with a great atmosphere and food. They serve Caribbean dishes like Curry Goat and Jamaican Oxtail. It is located 0.8 miles from the stadium.
- Golden Crust is a fast food joint that is 0.8 miles from the stadium.
- Sunday’s Eatery is a nice place that serves primarily deep-fried food. Situated 1.8 miles away from the arena.
- Quickie’s Burgers is a place that serves steakburgers, fried prawns, and fried wings. It is located 1.8 miles away.
- The Crafty Crab Restaurant is a great place to get seafood that is just 1.7 miles away.
The Best Bars Near Hard Rock Stadium
There are many bars on-site at the stadium, but in the neighborhood, there is just one within walking distance. Center Bar is located 1.6 miles from the stadium, and it is a part of the Calder Casino.
On-site bars
Fountain Plaza
Even if you don’t have a ticket and won’t be able to attend a football game, the Fountain Plaza allows you to get a taste of the fan experience as part of the pre-game tailgating.
The ticket for the tailgate will cost you $20, and if you purchase two, you will get a complimentary parking ticket for Lot 30.
All fans who have tickets for the game can access the tailgate, which includes brunch courtesy of American Social, a restaurant chain in Florida.
There are many regular places like bars and concessions to get a drink and enjoy your time at the Dolphins game. At the same time, there are more luxurious bars to enhance the viewing experience. These high-end places are also available for rent if you want to host a private or business event.
To access some of the more exclusive bars, you must first apply to become a member of some of the clubs below.
Club Level
If you become a Club Level member, you will have access to tickets to all games at the Hard Rock Stadium and access to the Club Level space. This includes delicious food and beverage, more than 800 screens to follow all NFL action, invitations to membership events, and many discounts.
Lexus Sideline Club
The main difference when becoming a member of the Lexus Sideline Club is the location of the seats which you would be assigned. These seats are situated near the 30-yard line on the sidelines.
The bars will be easily accessible as they are located below the seats, so you can conveniently enjoy food and drink before, during, and after the game.
East Field Club
This membership is more related to the location of the seats, which is in the endzone. These seats are exclusive and come with all-inclusive food and drinks at the assigned bars, VIP parking access, and priority when purchasing tickets for other events at the stadium.
The 72 Club
All-inclusive food and beverage (including alcohol) is part of the service, which also includes being served while watching the game from the comfortable sofa-like seats.
LIFEWTR Lounge
The LIFEWTR Lounge offers a luxurious game-day experience with comfortable seating, upscale food and beverage options, and high-tech audio and visual technology.
The Best Hotels Near Hard Rock Stadium
Stadium Hotel
This hotel is ideal for most football fans traveling to the area to see games. It has football pictures hung in the rooms, and you can see Hard Rock Stadium from the balcony.
The rooms are clean and comfortable with amenities such as Wi-Fi, coffee maker, cable TV, and all the basics to make a decent accommodation.
They serve complimentary breakfast, and a grill restaurant is on-site called Legends Sports Grill. The hotel also has an outdoor pool, a mini golf course, and a basketball court.
Additional information
| Address | 21485 Northwest 27th Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL, 33056 |
| Phone Number | +1 305 621 5801 |
| Website | www.stadiumhotel.com |
Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale/Miramar
The Hampton Inn & Suites is located within 15 minutes driving distance of the stadium. It is a nice hotel that offers free parking, complimentary breakfast, and pet-friendly. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and a fitness center.
Additional information
| Address | 10990 Marks Way, Miramar, FL, 33025 |
| Phone Number | +1 954 430 5590 |
| Website | https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/fllmmhx-hampton-suites-ft-lauderdale-miramar/ |
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Miramar
Located 10 minutes’ drive from the Hard Rock Stadium, this 3-star hotel has nice air-conditioned rooms, an outside pool, an excellent patio for basking in the sun, and a decently equipped gym.
They serve a complimentary breakfast, and there are many nearby dining options, like Dunkin’ Donuts, IHOP, Taco Bell, and others.
Additional information
| Address | 10880 Marks Way, Miramar, Florida 33025 |
| Phone Number | +1 954 435 4900 |
| Website | SpringHill Suites By Marriott Fort Lauderdale Miramar |
Woodspring Suites Miramar
The Woodspring Suites Miramar, which is close to Interstate 75, offers good value for the money given that it is reasonably priced, provides standard hotel facilities, and is in a desirable location.
Additional information
| Address | 3660 Red Road, Miramar, FL, 33025 |
| Phone Number | +1 754 581 8173 |
| Website | https://www.woodspring.com/extended-stay-hotels/locations/florida/miramar/woodspring-suites-miramar |
The History of Hard Rock Stadium
When it was built in 1987, the stadium became the first multi-purpose stadium in the USA.
The owner of the Miami Dolphins at that time, Joe Robbie, was a big visionary who believed in the expansion of sports in America, so he had the architects design an adaptable ground for soccer and baseball.
Initially, the stadium’s name was Joe Robbie, in honor of their trailblazer owner. Still, it was mostly referred to as the Dolphins Stadium because of his reluctance to use his name as the stadium name. Since then, the name has gone through many changes.
The arena became Pro Player Stadium in 1996 and kept that name until 2005 when it returned to the popular name The Dolphin Stadium. Then briefly, it was called Land Shark, Sun Life, New Miami Stadium until it was sold to Hard Rock Cafe International in 2016.
The first game the Dolphins played in the stadium was a preseason game vs. Chicago Bears.
Other tenants and events
The famous tennis tournament Miami Open moved from Crandon Park Tennis Centre to the Hard Rock Stadium in 2019, while many international soccer games have also taken place over the years.
Since 2008, the stadium has been home to Miami Hurricanes, a football team from the University of Miami.
Before moving to LoanDepot Park, the Florida Marlins played their games at the Hard Rock Stadium from 1993 to 2011, which is why the stadium didn’t host any games of the 1994 FIFA World Cup games, as the fixtures conflicted with each other.
The arena hosted a Wrestlemania event in 2012 and some spectacular concerts from global stars such as Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, etc.
The record for attendance was set in 2013 for a BCS National Championship game when 80,120 fans flocked to see the Notre Dame Fighting Irish play against Alabama Crimson Tide.
Where to Get Tickets for Hard Rock Stadium
Tickets for events at the stadium can be bought from designated websites, depending on what event you are interested in.
Dolphins tickets can be bought from the official Miami Dolphins website. You can apply for single-game tickets, season tickets, group tickets, suites, single-game suites, and the various clubs which enable you to enjoy some of the bars and seating experiences mentioned above.
A fairly simple form needs to be filled out with personal information, email, and what you are specifically interested in, after which you join a waiting list.
For other events, such as concerts or tennis, you can use Ticketmaster, Vivid Seats, StubHub, etc.
Does the Hard Rock Stadium Offer Tours?
Currently, the stadium does not offer tours, but they are accepting applications from people interested in taking tours around the iconic NFL stadium. This most likely means there are plans in place to resume offering tours to fans.
