How did this Miami stadium on the water look in its heyday? These photos show it
By Miami Herald Archives
In its glory days, Miami Marine Stadium put boat races, concerts and faith on center stage.
The stadium fronting Biscayne Bay along the Rickenbacker Causeway, has held fans of all kinds. Perhaps you attended a racing event. Or maybe a musical performance. Or an Easter sunrise service.
Or maybe you just recently passed by the vacant stands and wondered what used to go on there.
The stadium opened in 1963, but has been an abandoned shell since damage from Hurricane Andrew in 1992. It’s been closed now as long as it had been open.
There have been plans to renovate the stadium and reopen it. And there are still plans.
But before we go forward, let’s take a look back at the early years of the stadium through the photo archives of the Miami Herald:
THE EARLY DAYS
Contractors pour cement in 1963 for the new Miami Marine Stadium going up on Virginia Key off the Rickenbacker Causeway. Plans for the opening ceremony included opera on barges and city commissioners floating across the bay in swan boats. Miami Herald File
A side view of Miami Marine Stadium in 1965. Bob East Miami Herald File
A photo of the crowds at Miami Marine Stadium Miami Herald File
The backside of Miami Marine Stadium in 1964. Bob East Miami Herald File
THE FAITHFUL
An Easter sunrise service in 1966 at Miami Marine Stadium. Miami Herald File
THE MUSIC
A summer evening concert at Miami Marine Stadium. Miami Herald File
A tourism photo in the 1970s of Miami Marine Stadium extolling it as a “unique facility seating 6,538” and offering “diverse entertainment. Including power boat regattas, concerts, graduations, meetings, boxing and wrestling matches.” Miami Herald File
About 6,500 schoolchildren attended a Young People’s Concert of the Greater Miami Philharmonic at Marine Stadium in 1966 at Miami Marine Stadium. Composer Leroy Anderson conducted the orchestra on the floating stage in front of the outdoor arena on Biscayne Bay. Miami Herald File
A twilight family concert on stage in 1966 at Miami Marine Stadium, with boats are permitted to dock alongside during the program. Miami Herald File
Singer Jimmy Buffett jumps into the water from the stage in 1985 as fans on boats surround Miami Marine Stadium. Miami Herald File
THE CLEANUP
In 2008, a look at Miami Marine Stadium. PATRICK FARRELL Miami Herald File
Tourism industry volunteers work on restoration efforts at the Miami Marine Stadium in 2014. Carlos Suarez, with Royal Caribbean Cruises, uses a rake to clear garbage and debris from underneath the seats at the stadium. Emily Michot Miami Herald File
Miami Marine Stadium as it looked in 2008. PATRICK FARELL Miami Herald File
THE SPORTING LIFE
Powerful inboard hydros battle on the turn in grueling action at Miami Marine Stadium. The top formula hydros in the world, from as far away as Canada and California, and capable of Straightway speeds of 140-miles-per-hour, competed in the Grand Prix Winter Championships in the late 1970s. Miami Herald File
A rowing regatta runs through the waters of Biscayne Bay near Miami marine Stadium. Miami Herald File
A personal water craft rider zooms past Miami marine Stadium in 2008. PATRICK FARELL Miami Herald File
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