MIAMI — Those who don’t have match tickets still have an opportunity for World Cup fever at a downtown Miami game-watching experience. But to fully enjoy the moment, and avoid hassle, here is some advice to follow.
The FIFA Fan Festival Miami at Bayfront Park in the city’s downtown is far more than a gathering spot to watch games. There are activities, entertainment and a plethora of food and bar options.
“These free events are designed to bring the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 26 directly into neighborhoods across the region, creating high energy gatherings where fans can cheer together and experience the passion of the world’s game close to home,” the World Cup’s organizing organization, FIFA, said in a statement issued June 21.
Here are five tips to get the most out of attending FIFA Fan Festival Miami.
Buy World Cup tickets on Stub Hub
FIFA Fan Festival is free, but not cheap
Understanding this will allow you to budget, and avoid fun-dampening sticker shock for that Michelob Ultra and the empanada combo.
There is no admission fee, nor an official parking zone. But there were plenty of parking garages and lots within a short walk of the Bayfront Park Fan Festival location. For the U.S.-Australia game on June 19, a match that drew a significant crowd, parking was available for as low as $20 — a relative bargain for sporting events in downtown Miami.
Other options include Brightline — the Miami station is not far from Bayfront Park and a transfer to MetroMover.
Prepare for the heat, especially during afternoon matches
It’s outdoors and it’s summer — it will be scorching during the day and sweltering at night. That should not dissuade you, and if you are prepared, the heat and humidity will not be an inconvenience.
Bring an empty water bottle, no more than a liter, and you can access water stations at no charge. That saves you $6 for a bottle of Dasani, and $24 for a family of four. Pack sunscreen in a clear tote bag.
Bayfront Park has plenty of shade trees with picnic tables to get out of the sun. There also are several open-ended tunnels lined with cooling fans, so take advantage.
If you’re watching a daytime game, the screen by Casamigos bar is ringed with shade trees you can sit under and have a view — and a margarita.
Free stuff plenty but be OK with waiting
The swag is varied, and popular. There are temporary tattoos, face-painting, bandanas and other takeaways offered by the multitude of FIFA World Cup officials sponsors, from Hyundai to VISA.
Arguably the highest-demand item, judging by the long wait, was the Bank of America wristband. If you want one, get there early and make a beeline for the financial institution’s location. Even during the U.S.-Australia match, the line for the bands was more than a 100 deep and snaked through much of the festival’s footprint.
If you want official merch, FIFA has a store loaded with souvenirs. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, get in the line anyway. The air-conditioned wait is worth it.
Food options — varied but on the pricey side
There are plenty of options, but they are pricey.
A range of eight empanda choices, from beef to ham and cheese, cost $8.49 each, or $17.99 for a combo with two empanadas plus French fries. Steak sandwiches start at $23.99 for a combo. A gyro goes for $19 and a Mediterranean Bowl is $22.
Adult beverages with vodka, tequila, scotch, gin or rum run $17 for one shot, $22 for two. A 16-ounce Michelob ULTRA runs $14, ditto for a 16-ounce Stella Artois. Casamigos premium cocktails run $22 for one shot and $27 for a double.
Soft drinks such as Coke, Coke Zero and Sprite, cost $7 each.
Lots of things to do beyond watching the ‘beautiful game’
Watching the pros is not the only competition.
There are plenty of fun games, including soccer skeeball and a rock climbing wall, musical performances as well as a plethora of selfie photo spots for the influencer in you. Even if you’re not a fútbol diehard, there’s plenty to do.
Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Go to Miami’s World Cup fan fest but use these tips from my experience
Reporting by Antonio Fins, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Antonio Fins, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
