Hard Rock Stadium – Overview

Hard Rock Stadium, located in Miami Gardens, Florida, is home to the Miami Dolphins and the University of Miami Hurricanes. Over the course of its 30-plus year history, the stadium has hosted more than football teams. The Florida Marlins, the Miami Open, famous musicians, and professional soccer teams are just a few examples of Hard Rock Stadium’s past events. This is due in part to the Hard Rock Stadium’s convenient location 20 minutes outside of Miami.

The stadium’s ability to host concerts, events, professional sports teams, and more makes it a prominent venue in the Miami area. Below we have included an overview of Hard Rock Stadium, as well as tips and trivia to prepare you for your visit.

 

Overview

  • History and construction: The Miami Dolphins originally played in the Orange Bowl, a stadium built in 1937 in downtown Miami. But after decades in this location, Miami Dolphins founder Joe Robbie decided the team needed a new venue. The Orange Bowl was demolished, and Hard Rock Stadium, originally named Joe Robbie Stadium, was built in 1987. One of Joe Robbie’s main intentions was to build a stadium that could be easily converted into a baseball venue when needed. Miami did not yet have a MLB team, but just four years after the construction of the stadium entrepreneur Wayne Huizenga founded the Miami Marlins. In order to be able to host baseball games, Hard Rock Stadium’s field needed to be much wider than most other NFL stadiums. Some patrons say that this creates a less intimate experience when watching a Dolphins game. But this width has an added benefit: it’s ideal for hosting professional soccer matches. Hard Rock Stadium has experienced some renovations throughout the years to keep the venue as up to date as possible. Hard Rock Stadium unveiled two record-breaking screens after its 2006 renovation. At the time, Hard Rock Stadium’s two Daktronics video boards. one at 7,000 square feet and one at 5,000, were the largest in professional sports. They also unveiled a 2,118-foot-long LED ribbon board, which was the largest in the world at that time.
  • Major League Baseball: Because of Joe Robbie’s foresight, Hard Rock Stadium was ready to host the Florida Marlins even before the team existed. The Marlins played their first game, a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, on April 5, 1993. Yet creators overlooked one detail that made Hard Rock Stadium unfit for hosting baseball games. The stadium was built primarily for football games, which are played in the winter and fall. So when baseball season started in the summertime, Hard Rock Stadium was ill-suited to handle South Florida’s sweltering summers. Between unrelenting heat, humidity, and constant sun, the stadium regularly reached 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This made Hard Rock Stadium the hottest stadium in the MLB, resulting in low attendance rates for Marlins games. Even so, the Marlins lasted in Hard Rock Stadium for 18 years and won two World Series titles there in 1997 and 2003. They moved on to their own stadium, Marlins Park, in 2012.
  • Accessibility: Hard Rock Stadium has many programs and facilities in place to allow accessibility for all fans. Outside the stadium, guests can use handicapped parking spots that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests in need of a wheelchair escort to their seat can request one at the entrance. There is wheelchair accessibility throughout the entire stadium as well as wheelchair seating. Ambulatory seating is available to guests with disabilities who may not require a wheelchair, and can be purchased in most seating areas. Guests in need of hearing devices can obtain one without charge at any Guest Experience location. Hard Rock Stadium contains three first aid locations, which nursing mothers can use as lactation rooms. The private, air-conditioned nursing room in Section 153 of Hard Rock Stadium contains a television, changing table, sink, and mirror.
  • Sensory Room: The Sensory Room, located in Section 153, is available for attendees with special needs to use as a quiet space during the game. This air-conditioned room contains a comfortably padded floor, a tablet donated by Microsoft, noise-cancelling headphones donated by Bose, and other wall-mounted equipment donated by The Dan Marino Foundation. Staff members may limit access to the room depending on demand and urgency of need.
  • Art: Hard Rock Stadium experienced a renovation in 2016, during which Dolphins owner Stephen Ross commissioned a vast collection of art to bring vibrancy into the stadium. He wanted Hard Rock Stadium to not only contain art but be a work of art itself. Ross partnered with Goldman Global Arts, best known for managing Wynwood Gardens, with the goal to incorporate stunning street art into the stadium. Hard Rock Stadium contains 19 murals and 17 fine art pieces created by talented artists from 10 different countries. Goldman Global Arts purposefully placed this world-class art in high-traffic areas of the stadium for many guests to enjoy.
  • Luxury experiences: Hard Rock Stadium contains over 20 sites to host events of any kind and size. Private clubs, suites, and luxury areas are available as well as the entire field, concourses, and locker rooms. Each luxury area throughout the stadium offers a unique experience. The ATOS Club contains four-person boxes with an in-suit concierge. LIV is Hard Rock Stadium’s nightclub, bringing Miami’s signature party atmosphere to attendees. The 72 Club is one of the most luxurious premium seating experiences in South Florida, providing in-seat service, large cushioned seats, all-inclusive dining, and VIP access in and out of the stadium. The Nine provides attendees with an open-air suite, access to a private lounge, and complimentary valet parking.
  • Tailgating and alcohol consumption: Tailgating is a beloved tradition for NFL fans. Hard Rock Stadium welcomes these celebrations, and has restrictions in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Vehicles may only occupy one parking space, and cannot be used to reserve spaces for other guests. Fans must use their designated tailgating spots, which are outlined and located directly behind vehicles. Tailgaters must also avoid blocking fire lanes. Hard Rock Stadium does not permit kegs, commercial catering, DJs, or open fires. The stadium wants fans to have a memorable visit without endangering themselves or others. Guests may not bring beverages into the stadium, and security will bar visibly intoxicated fans from entry. Alcohol is available for purchase at University of Miami as well as Dolphins games, but sales end at the start and end of the third quarter respectively. The club and luxury seating areas serve alcohol until one hour after the game. While inside the stadium, attendees can purchase a maximum of two drinks at one time.
  • Notable events: Every year, Hard Rock Stadium hosts the Capital One Orange Bowl. This bowl game is a post-season college football event, and the second-oldest bowl game in the country. The first Orange Bowl took place on January 1, 1935. Since 2014, this classic college football event has been known as the Capital One Orange Bowl. In 1965, the Capital One Orange Bowl made history as the first college bowl game to ever be broadcast live during prime time. The most attended Orange Bowl event was a 1995 match up between Nebraska and Florida that brought in a record 81,753 fans. Hard Rock Stadium has hosted five Super Bowls in its lifetime, the most popular one being Super Bowl XXIII. This 1989 match up between the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers brought in more than 75,500 fans. Hard Rock Stadium has also attracted some of the most successful and talented professional soccer teams in the world. The most-attended of these soccer matches was a 2014 game between Brazil and Colombia. Brazil won by one point in front of 73,429 fans. Hard Rock Stadium is also ideal for hosting concerts, and has brought in some of the biggest artists in history. Notable performers include Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, U2, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Madonna, and Elton John.

 

Tips

  • Parking at Hard Rock Stadium can be a challenge. Parking at Hard Rock Stadium is expensive, and exiting the venue after an event can be quite challenging. Strongly consider taking public transportation to Hard Rock Stadium, and have patience when leaving.
  • Be aware of Hard Rock Stadium’s bag policy. As with most NFL venues, Hard Rock Stadium strictly enforces the “All Clear” initiative, which discourages fans from bringing in purses. Hard Rock Stadium allows guests to bring one clear plastic bag that does not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches, or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag such as a Ziploc.
  • Prepare for the heat. Hard Rock Stadium is infamous for holding heat in, so keep this in mind if you’re attending an event in the midst of summer.
  • The stadium does not permit re-entry. The exceptions to this rule are emergencies and when there is inclement weather located nearby. The stadium will announce if lightning is present within 15 miles, and guests have the option to vacate the premises for safety reasons. Security will permit these guests to re-enter with their ticket stub.
  • It may be fun to bring a sign to the stadium. With that said, you must ensure the sign does not contain profanity or derogatory statements, block the view of attendees or stadium signage, or advertise a business.

 

Trivia

  • The Dolphins won their first game in Hard Rock Stadium. The first regular season NFL game played at Hard Rock Stadium was a 42–0 Dolphins victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on October 11, 1987.
  • Many of the Dolphins players did not participate in Hard Rock Stadium’s first game. The October match up occurred in the middle of the 1987 NFL strike. Because of this, replacement players filled the roster.
  • Hard Rock Stadium has had more than seven names. In the past, the stadium has gone by Joe Robbie Stadium, Pro Player Park, Pro Player Stadium, Dolphins Stadium, Dolphin Stadium, Land Shark Stadium, and Sun Life Stadium.
  • Hard Rock Stadium is one of the safest stadiums in the country. In 2018, the Department of Homeland Security awarded a SAFETY Act Designation to the stadium, DHS’s second-highest accreditation. The SAFETY award stands for “Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies.” This initiative encourages venues to invest in anti-terrorism technologies and protocols.
  • Hard Rock Stadium has hosted the World Series twice; once in 1997 and again in 2003. Their home team, the Miami Marlins, won both of the World Series’ hosted at their home stadium.
  • You can spot Hard Rock Stadium in multiple Hollywood blockbusters. Movies Marley and Me, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and Any Given Sunday have all filmed scenes at Hard Rock Stadium.