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If you’ve driven past Miami International Airport over the past few months, you’ve seen a parking lot full of rubble rapidly transform into what will soon be one of Miami’s premier entertainment destinations. And as of this afternoon, we know exactly how soon that day is coming.
In an email to Inter Miami ticket holders, the local football club announced that the hotly anticipated Miami Freedom Park will officially open to the public on April 4, 2026.
“It’s official! The 2026 MLS season schedule has been announced, and with it comes a moment years in the making,” Inter Miami wrote in the newsletter mailout. “On April 4, 2026, Inter Miami CF will play our first MLS match in our new 25,000-seat, state-of-the-art stadium, Miami Freedom Park! Inter Miami will be hosting Austin FC in the stadium’s historic debut.”
The regular season kicks off on the road against Los Angeles FC on Saturday, February 21. “Each MLS team will again play 34 matches — 17 at home and 17 away,” Inter Miami said in its announcement. Inter Miami will play at home against Austin FC, New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution, Orlando City SC, Portland Timbers, Philadelphia Union, Chicago Fire FC, Columbus Crew, Toronto FC, CF Montréal, Atlanta United FC, Nashville SC, San Diego FC, D.C. United, New York City FC, FC Cincinnati, and Charlotte FC. All MLS matches will be available to stream for Apple TV subscribers.
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Season ticket members have first dibs on seats, with tickets starting at just $40 per match, according to Inter Miami’s site. A virtual tour of the stadium — with renderings of the view from specific sections and seating — is also available on the site for prospective ticket holders.
As the team and fans have awaited the stadium’s construction, Inter Miami has played its matches at Fort Lauderdale’s Chase Stadium. It’s a worthwhile hike for Lionel Messi fanatics (and there are many), but staying local will surely be a relief for Miami fans. Of course, there’s always a catch here. Questions remain about how bad traffic will get as fans of the popular team and its star player flock to fill up Miami Freedom Park’s 25,000 seats so close to MIA —especially during busy travel periods.
The announcement comes as Miami prepares to host another anticipated global event next year: the FIFA World Cup. While the seven local games will not take place at Miami Freedom Park — Hard Rock Stadium is hosting the matches — futból aficionados will likely see the new stadium as they exit the airport and head for Miami Gardens.
