Flying In: You have two fantastic options when flying into South Florida. Miami International Airport (MIA) sits about 15 miles south of the stadium and is a massive hub for American Airlines. Alternatively, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is roughly the same distance to the north and is heavily serviced by Southwest and JetBlue. Often, FLL is cheaper and significantly easier to navigate than MIA.

The stadium enforces designated 8'x10' tailgating spaces directly behind your vehicle. Gas and charcoal grills are completely fine, but open fires and kegs are strictly prohibited.

Miami Dolphins

Admin

Mar 12

4 min read

Miami Dolphins Travel Guide: Hard Rock Stadium

How to Get There

Flying In: You have two fantastic options when flying into South Florida. Miami International Airport (MIA) sits about 15 miles south of the stadium and is a massive hub for American Airlines. Alternatively, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is roughly the same distance to the north and is heavily serviced by Southwest and JetBlue. Often, FLL is cheaper and significantly easier to navigate than MIA.
Airport Transit: Hard Rock Stadium is located in Miami Gardens, which is situated right between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Because the South Florida metro area is massive and heavily spread out, public transit directly from the airports to the stadium corridor is time-consuming. Renting a car or relying on Uber and Lyft to get to your hotel is highly recommended.

Where to Stay

Because the stadium is located in the suburban area of Miami Gardens, you can choose to stay right near the stadium for pure convenience, head slightly north into Hollywood, or stay in downtown Miami/Aventura for a premium city experience.

Budget Options

Stadium Hotel: If your primary goal is to be as close to the stadium as possible, this is your best option. Located just over a mile from the gates in Miami Gardens, it offers a massive outdoor pool, an on-site sports bar, and keeps your game-day commute down to a very quick, traffic-free walk or a brief rideshare.
Aloft Miami Aventura: Located a few miles east of the stadium in the upscale Aventura neighborhood, this modern, budget-friendly hotel offers a vibrant atmosphere, a great pool deck, and puts you right next to the massive Aventura Mall for excellent dining and shopping.

Higher-End Options

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: Located just north in Hollywood, this is the iconic, massive hotel shaped exactly like a giant glass guitar. It is an absolute entertainment mecca featuring a sprawling casino, world-class restaurants, a massive lagoon pool, and elite nightlife. Best of all, it is only about a 15-minute drive from the stadium.
JW Marriott Marquis Miami: If you want a luxurious, high-end stay in the heart of downtown Miami, this stunning property sits right on the water in the Brickell district. It features a stainless-steel sky pool, an indoor basketball court, and sweeping views of Biscayne Bay.

Nearby Activities

South Beach: You cannot visit Miami without spending time on the iconic South Beach. Walk Ocean Drive to see the historic Art Deco architecture, grab a Cuban coffee, and hit the sand. Mid-beach is also closer to the stadium and provides a lot of the beauty of Miami Beach in a quieter area that is more appealing to families.
Wynwood Walls: Located just north of downtown Miami, this neighborhood has been completely transformed into a massive, outdoor museum of incredibly vibrant, large-scale street art and murals. It is packed with local breweries and trendy food spots.

Pregame Food and Drink

Because the stadium is located in a heavily residential and commercial zone without a dense layout of walk-up neighborhood sports bars, the pregame party happens almost entirely in the parking lots.

The Parking Lot Tailgates: Miami tailgating is a massive, vibrant party featuring incredible Latin food, loud music, and a huge fan presence. If you purchase an Orange parking pass, you are allowed to park wherever you desire during the first hour the lots are open. If you park in the Yellow lots, directed parking is enforced from the moment the gates open.
Tailgating Rules: The stadium enforces designated 8'x10' tailgating spaces directly behind your vehicle. Gas and charcoal grills are completely fine, but open fires and kegs are strictly prohibited.
The South Plaza: If you don't want to tailgate at your car, head straight to the stadium's South Plaza. It acts as a massive fan zone featuring live DJs, Miami Dolphins cheerleaders, interactive games, and plenty of cold drinks right outside the gates.

Getting to the Event

The Brightline Train: This is a massive game-changer for avoiding South Florida traffic. You can take the high-speed Brightline train from stations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, or Orlando directly to the Aventura Station. From there, you simply hop on the complimentary Hard Rock Stadium Connect shuttle, which drops you off near the Gate 3 Pedestrian Bridge. The shuttles depart the station 10 minutes after trains arrive.
Driving: If you choose to drive, you must pre-purchase a parking pass. The stadium features a massive network of color-coded lots (Orange, Yellow, Gray).
Rideshare: If you take an Uber or Lyft, be prepared to walk. The dedicated rideshare drop-off and pick-up zone is located in Lot 30 on NW 37th Ave, which is an estimated 25-minute walk from the stadium gates.

Where to Sit at Hard Rock Stadium

Hard Rock Stadium recently underwent a massive renovation that added a distinct four-spire, open-air canopy roof. While the canopy provides shade, there is a massive rectangular hole directly over the field, meaning the South Florida sun is still a huge factor.

Beat the Heat (The South Side): The stadium is strategically designed to keep the home team in the shade while leaving the visitors to bake in the sun. The absolute gold standard for shade is the South Sideline (Sections 138-154, 238-254, and 337-355). Because the sun remains behind the south roof structure, these fans are protected from direct rays almost from kickoff to the final whistle.
Away Fans: The visitor's sideline is on the North side of the stadium (Sections 114-122). While this puts you directly behind the away bench, be warned: these are the absolute toastiest sections in the stadium. For early afternoon games, the sun shines right under the canopy's edge directly into the eyes of the fans on the North sideline so looking at end zone or corner seats may be preferred. Wear sunscreen and bring sunglasses!
The Premium VIP Experience: The 72 Club is widely considered the most luxurious seating experience in all of South Florida sports. Located at midfield on the South side, these seats are double-padded, offer 11 inches of extra legroom, and provide access to a massive private lounge designed by the Rockwell Group that features all-inclusive premium food and beverages.
The Budget Seats: The 300-level (upper deck) offers the best value. Because the upper deck is set back from the playing field, the entire 300-level should be safe from the sun for the entirety of the afternoon as it is almost fully protected by the canopy roof.