This summer, Miami steps into the global spotlight as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026, welcoming seven matches and a surge of international fans. This prime-time role further elevates Miami as a global crossroads of culture and competition.
At the heart of it all: InterContinental Miami—a hotel with a rich sports legacy and one that’s perfectly positioned just steps from the FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park, the official Fan Festival headquarters. InterContinental Miami is also minutes from the action at Hard Rock Stadium, where the World Cup matches will take place, running from June 15 to July 18.
The hotel is fully embracing the soccer spirit with immersive, high-energy experiences. Guests can expect photo-worthy soccer installations as soon as they step into the lobby, along with themed poolside cabanas representing the nations competing in Miami and spirited watch parties. On the hotel’s 35,000-square-foot SkyLawn, the “Shoot Your Shot” experience offers guests an interactive soccer setup for pickup games, complete with branded logo soccer balls and views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline.
Beyond the excitement surrounding the World Cup, Miami’s broader rise as a global sports destination is impossible to ignore.
Last year, Greater Miami and Miami Beach ranked among the world’s top 10 global sports cities, according to Burson’s highly anticipated 2025 Ranking of Sport Cities. The city’s rise to No. 8 worldwide underscores its growing reputation as a year-round destination for world-class competition.
That legacy pulses through InterContinental Miami, too, where game day energy – no matter the sport – adds to the atmosphere.
"InterContinental Miami has long stood at the center of the city’s global sports stage—serving as a trusted home base for elite teams, leagues and organizers from the legacy of the Orange Bowl and Super Bowl, to the international spotlight of the World Baseball Classic, and now welcoming the world once again with FIFA World Cup events,” says Glenn Sampert, General Manager at InterContinental Miami. “It’s unmatched location, scale and hospitality have made it the hub where sports history doesn’t just pass through—it stays, prepares and celebrates."
Ahead, learn more about how to enjoy the World Cup and all of its fanfare in Miami this summer with a stay at InterContinental Miami.
InterContinental Miami’s World Cup-Inspired Celebrations
Call it fútbol fever, Miami-style: At InterContinental Miami, the World Cup is being celebrated with a lineup of winning experiences.
The hotel will feature a collection of country-themed poolside cabanas that channel the flavors of nations playing in Miami, including Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Portugal and Scotland, along with a classic soccer-themed cabana for global fans. Each offers a passport-free way to tap into the tournament’s international flair, complete with cocktails inspired by each country’s signature spirits.
In the Scotland-inspired cabana, for example, that translates to drinks that nod to the country’s storied gin and Scotch heritage, while Portugal’s setup pours refreshing Porto Tónicos that feel tailor-made for a warm Miami afternoon. Brazil’s take, naturally, includes a Caipirinha (Brazil’s national drink made with cachaça, which is distilled from sugarcane) with tropical fruit options, while an Americas-focused cabana rotates in familiar favorites with a spirited twist.
Inside, Club InterContinental is getting in on the celebration, too, with rotating menus that follow the tournament’s global footprint. Guests can expect themed eats and beverages during breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening happy hour.
To kick off the World Cup, there's an event for furry friends -- Fur the Love of Soccer Pawwwty is for puppies to wear their team jerseys and play with soccer balls on the terrace.
FIFA World Cup Matches in Miami
Photo: miamiandbeaches.com-
June 15: Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay
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June 21: Uruguay vs. Cape Verde
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June 24: Brazil vs. Scotland
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June 27: Colombia vs. Portugal
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July 3: Round of 32 Match
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July 11: Quarterfinal
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July 18: Bronze Medal Match
The hotel will also be a lively hub for watch parties, with games shown at Club InterContinental as well as at Toro Toro, the Pan-Latin steakhouse where guests can find high-energy viewing parties, food and drink specials, country-flag face painting and “National Spirit Flights” highlighting select liquors from competing nations.
The hotel’s ICON Live music series carries the momentum into the evening, with live performances set against the backdrop of Biscayne Bay. One highlight on the calendar slated to take place June 25 is a Colombian band, timed ahead of the team’s match against Portugal in the city on June 27. The event is free for hotel guests and locals 21+, with RSVPs available through Eventbrite.
Magic City is Also a Renowned Sports City
Photo: miamiandbeaches.com
Sun, sand and sports. Miami has firmly established itself as a global destination where all three converge.
Recently ranked among the world’s top 10 sports cities, Miami continues to build on its reputation as a year-round hub for marquee competitions and international events.
That momentum didn’t happen by chance, though. Over the past several years, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau has made strategic investments in marketing and partnerships to attract some of the most iconic sporting events in the world, with its efforts clearly paying off.
Today, the city’s sports calendar reads like a greatest-hits lineup, from the high-octane Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix to the internationally acclaimed Miami Open and the storied Orange Bowl that’s been played in Miami since 1935.
Miami’s sport’s hosting legacy includes welcoming 11 Super Bowls and remains the only destination to host all three rounds of the World Baseball Classic.
The city also made history in January 2026, by hosting Florida’s first-ever outdoor NHL game as part of the Winter Classic at loanDepot Park, just one highlight in a packed year that also includes the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the NASCAR Cup Series Championship in November 2026.
Add in home teams like the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Florida Panthers and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami CF—and it’s clear that Miami is among the sports greats, bringing exciting events to fans all year long.
To keep up with all World Cup activities at the hotel, go to https://www.icmiamihotel.com/WeAreMiami