Opened in 1987, the stadium was originally named Joe Robbie Stadium, after the first owner of the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. Credit: Spotrs Render / Facebook
The Colombian national football team will face Portugal on June 27, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA assigned this Group K match to the stadium as one of seven matches that Florida will host during the tournament. For the World Cup, FIFA will refer to the venue as Miami Stadium due to brand neutrality regulations.
The stadium is part of a sports complex that stands out for its versatility: apart from being the home of the Miami Dolphins of the NFL, it hosts the Miami Open tennis tournament on its campus and, since 2022, a temporary Formula 1 circuit surrounds its facilities during the Miami Grand Prix.
A structure designed for Florida’s tropical climate
The main architectural feature of the venue is its steel roof, installed during the 2015-2016 renovation. This structure protects almost all spectators from the sun and rain, while keeping the center open so that sunlight can reach the grass directly.
Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins American football team, financed this modernization with a US$500 million investment. As part of the project, engineers moved the side stands closer to the field and reduced the total capacity to 65,000 seats to improve visibility from the stands.
A venue steeped in sporting history
The stadium’s history includes hosting six Super Bowls, the championship game of the National Football League (NFL). Only the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, which hosted eight, has more. The stadium opened on Aug. 16, 1987, with an initial construction cost of US$115 million.
Baseball fans also experienced historic moments at this facility: the Florida Marlins won the World Series in 1997 and 2003. In the 1997 victory, Colombian Edgar Renteria hit a single to drive in Craig Counsell and give the home team its first World Series title. In 2011, the team changed its name to the Miami Marlins, coinciding with its move to a new stadium.
Football plays a prominent role in Hard Rock Stadium’s schedule. In 2024, the venue hosted several Copa America matches, including the thrilling final where Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0. In 2025, the stadium hosted eight FIFA Club World Cup matches, including the tournament’s opening game between Al-Ahly and Inter Miami.
The seven matches of the 2026 World Cup in Miami
The schedule includes four group stage matches and three knockout stage games. The match between Colombia and Portugal is the most anticipated game of the initial Group K schedule. These are the confirmed matches for the Miami Gardens venue:
- June 15: Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay
- June 21: Uruguay vs. Cape Verde
- June 24: Scotland vs. Brazil
- June 27: Colombia vs. Portugal
- July 3: Round of 32
- July 11: Quarter-finals
- July 18: Third-place match
Free transportation, summer weather, and services for fans
The Miami Department of Transportation and Public Works will offer free bus service on game days for fans with verified tickets. The buses will pick up passengers at strategic locations and take them to the stadium. This initiative aims to reduce private vehicle traffic.
Visitors will also be able to use the rail system to get to each of the World Cup tournament matches.
South Florida summers feature high humidity and average high temperatures ranging from 31°C to 33°C (88°F to 91°F) in June and July. Venue management will allow attendees to bring empty, clear plastic bottles up to 1 liter (34 oz) for free drinking water. Stadium staff will provide water refill stations and medical aid to prevent dehydration among the thousands of international fans.
The sports complex will not accept cash at food and beverage stands or official team merchandise stores as part of FIFA protocol. Organizers suggest using credit cards, debit cards, or digital wallets to expedite purchases for attendees during the matches.