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The Miami Open has never really been just about forehands, backhands, and who can survive two weeks of South Florida heat without melting into the baseline. Put simply, the annual tennis tournament is about much more than sports.
“The Miami Open is special because it blends elite tennis with the culture of Miami,” Josh Ripple, senior vice president of Mari, owner of the tournament, tells New Times. “Alongside the matches, fans will find new food and cocktail experiences, expanded retail and fashion pop-ups, and interactive activations across the grounds. My tip is simple: come early, explore, and make a day of it.”
With the 2026 edition in full swing at Hard Rock Stadium through March 29, that advice feels especially on point. This year’s tournament is built for tennis diehards, casual fans, spring breakers, food obsessives, and anyone who likes their Masters 1000 served with a side of Miami chaos. If you’re attending, here are five key things to watch for through the end of the month.
Special Dates
If you like your sports with a side of themed programming, there’s a full slate to circle. March 17 brings Women’s Empowerment Day, followed by Brazilian Heritage Day on March 18, Hispanic Heritage Day on March 19, and Italian Heritage Day on March 20. College Night falls on March 26, while Kids Day wraps things up on March 28. Add qualifying matches from March 15 to 17, main draw action beginning March 17, and the women’s and men’s finals on March 28 and 29, and you’ve got options. Regardless, every day is a winner.
The Food
Let’s be honest: One reason the Miami Open keeps getting more irresistible is that the food is a cut — or three — above standard stadium fare. New this year are — prepare yourself — Tacos Atarantados, Chug’s Diner, The Salty Donut, Café La Trova, Ophelia, Barceloneta, Chevre, and Cowy Burger. Returning favorites like Zuma, Miami Slice, Omakai Handroll Bar, and American Social keep the bench deep. Add the Dobel Tequila Club, the Stella Artois Racquet Club, and the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Garden, and suddenly changing ends feels like the least glamorous thing happening on campus. And, yes, there’s a $100 hot dog, too.
Screenshot via Instagram/@alec.approved
Padel, Anyone?
The Miami Open is leaning even harder into racquet-sport sprawl this year with expanded programming at the upgraded Publix Padel Park. In partnership with the Pro Padel League, fans can reserve courts, jump into free play, or book clinics, which means you can watch world-class tennis and then immediately humble yourself with another racquet sport. Wheelchair tennis also returns with an expanded player field from March 25 to 27, giving the event another layer of competition worth showing up for beyond the main singles draws.
The Heavy Hitters
There’s plenty of star power baked into the Miami Open before a single ball is struck. Last year’s champions loom large, and the field once again includes the kind of names that make the tournament feel like the tennis sphere’s chicest two-week flex. Recent Miami champions Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Świątek remain the standard-bearers, and the tournament says this year’s draw includes all 27 ATP and WTA champions from this season. Translation: nobody’s getting an easy stroll to the final.
The Wild Cards
Every year, the wild cards give the draw its weird little plot twists, and 2026 has a fun batch. The women’s side is particularly intriguing — Venus Williams is back for her 23rd Miami Open appearance, which is the sort of sentence that makes you want to check your own mortality. Former champion Sloane Stephens is also in the mix. Each has South Florida ties, so they’ll be crowd favorites.
Miami Open. Through Sunday, March 29, at Hard Rock Stadium, 347 Don Shula Dr., Miami Gardens. miamiopen.com.
