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Marc Anthony Will Sing the National Anthem at Miami’s Nu Stadium Opening

The salsa icon has long-standing ties to both Miami and the club’s ownership circle.
Photo of Mark Anthony wearing a smoking suit
Over the years, Anthony has performed the anthem at events.

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The Latin superstar will perform on Saturday, April 4, at Inter Miami CF’s first official game in its new stadium. The home opener against Austin FC kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET, marking a major milestone for a club that has been waiting for its official home.

After roughly three years of construction, David Beckham’s team is stepping into a new era with the debut of Nu Stadium, part of the larger $1 billion Miami Freedom Park project built on the former Melreese Golf Course. The stadium represents a turning point for professional soccer in South Florida, and a long-promised home base in the heart of Miami, benefiting from the momentum of the e 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The club is framing the moment around its motto, “Freedom to Dream,” a phrase that carries personal and cultural weight. According to a press release sent to New Times, co-owners Jorge and Jose Mas see it as a reflection of their family’s journey as Cuban exiles in search of opportunity — a story that mirrors the experiences of many across Miami’s immigrant communities.

For Beckham, the message lands differently but just as personally. His vision dates back to 2007, when he joined Major League Soccer with ambitions that extended far beyond his playing career. What followed was a years-long push to establish a franchise in Miami, bring top-flight fútbol back to the region, and ultimately build a permanent, state-of-the-art stadium that will help cement the city’s official identity and space within the sport.

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Bringing Marc Anthony into the mix seems like a strategic and on-point booking. The salsa icon, one of the most influential Latin artists of all time, has long-standing ties to both Miami and the club’s ownership circle. His decades-spanning career includes more than 100 No. 1 hits worldwide, billions of streams, and a reputation as one of the most electrifying live performers in music.

He’s also no stranger to delivering “The Star-Spangled Banner” on major stages. Over the years, Anthony has performed the anthem at events ranging from the 2001 NFL season opener at Shea Stadium to the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the 2013 MLB All-Star Game, and, more recently, the 2024 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.

Offstage, his connection to Beckham is tight and goes back years. The two have maintained a close friendship for more than two decades — one that extends into family life, with Beckham serving as godfather to one of Anthony’s children and showing up for milestones like Anthony’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. Everyone can also still remember the incident at Brooklyn Beckham’s wedding earlier this year.

Saturday’s opener is ultimately about soccer (or fútbol), but we can collectively claim a win for the Magic City before kickoff, since Miami will now have a new stadium.

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