Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, opened on August 16, 1987, as Joe Robbie Stadium — a pioneering example of a privately financed, truly multi-purpose sporting venue. Team founder Joe Robbie, unwilling to accept escalating city rents, committed to building his own facility. The result, costing $115 million, was designed from the outset to accommodate both NFL football and Major League Baseball, making it uniquely versatile among American sports venues of its era.

The Dolphins’ home since day one, the stadium gave the team a geographical competitive edge: its roof design creates full shade for the Miami bench while leaving visiting teams exposed to the fierce Florida sun. This subtle but significant advantage reflects the attention to detail that has made the venue distinctive.

Baseball’s Florida Marlins called the stadium home from 1993 to 2011, winning two World Series championships here — in 1997 and 2003 — before relocating to their purpose-built LoanDepot Park. During their tenure, the facility hosted both MLB and NFL simultaneously, the last National League park to do so.

Six Super Bowls have been played here, including Super Bowl LIV in 2020 (Chiefs 31, 49ers 20) — more championship games than any venue except the Superdome. A $350 million renovation beginning in 2015 modernised the stadium with state-of-the-art video boards, climate-controlled canopy coverage, and luxury seating pods. The Miami Grand Prix for Formula One, the Miami Open tennis tournament, and the Miami Hurricanes football programme now call it home.

The 2024 Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia was played here. For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the stadium will host six matches in its role as one of football’s most storied American venues.