Why the Miami economy could be the big winner of the Canes-Hoosiers game

On the football field, only one team will win college football’s top honor.

After about a four-month season and then a playoff among the top 12 schools, the gutsy Indiana University Hoosiers battle the resurrected hometown University of Miami Hurricanes on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium for the national championship.

Away from the action, though, winners abound. Hotels, airlines and restaurants all stand to gain.

South Florida’s economy is getting a boost. The region’s brand will also grow. While marketing Miami is never in short supply, the region is now getting a week’s worth of advertising across the United States.

South Florida’s economic gain

Fans will benefit, too, including the vast majority who won’t be able to get a game ticket or afford one. On Friday morning, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Miami Beach Convention Center. For three days, the public can enjoy playing free interactive games, learning about college football history and getting autographs.

Airlines are getting into the spirit, too. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have added extra flights between Indianapolis and MIA.

The college football national championship game and related events will result in an economic impact of at least $300 million, according to one preliminary estimate, and possibly more.

The precise amount is difficult to pin down ahead of the game and won’t be confirmed until several months later. But the Orange Bowl in 2025, which served as the College Football Playoff semi-final, generated $287 million and drew 64,215 visitors, according to a report by Rockport Analytics commissioned by the Orange Bowl Committee.

For the Jan. 19 championship game, “we should get pretty close to the same number of visitors,” Eric Poms, CEO of the 2026 Miami Host Committee as well as the Orange Bowl Committee, forecasted in an interview with the Miami Herald. “I’d anticipate in all likelihood exceeding $287 million.”

Rolando Aedo, chief operating officer of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, estimates a contribution of more than $300 million, he told the Herald. “Overall the economic impact will be significantly greater than last year’s Orange Bowl.”

The optimistic expectations come despite one of the teams being based in nearby Coral Gables.

Multiple reasons drive the estimates.

The final is obviously a bigger game than the semi-final. The lead-up is longer, so visitors who come will likely spend more nights at a hotel in the area. And media exposure is greater: South Florida will be the set of several days of programming on ESPN and other networks.

“The buildup is a unique dynamic,” said Poms of the Miami Host Committee, the local entity that works with CFP. “TV coverage and ratings will be tremendous.”

And that’s even if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Lows for Saturday, Sunday and Monday are 58 degrees, 61 degrees and 52 degrees, according to Herald news partner CBS News Miami and its meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez. Yet, the lows in Bloomington, Indiana, for those days are 10 degrees, 13 degrees and 6 degrees, according to the Weather Channel.

And while Indiana is now known for having a well-traveled fan base, the University of Miami has many alums who don’t live locally, Aedo noted.

“A good percentage of Miami fans will be from out of town,” said Poms, in particular from the Northeast.

Miami Beach

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach, one of the two official hotels hosting a team and its staff, will welcome that prediction. It ended up drawing the Hurricanes, but the resort isn’t complaining.

The hotel is sold out for the night of the game and those leading up to it. About half of its 1,600 rooms are booked for Hurricanes team members and staff, Phil Goldfarb, chief operating officer of Fontainebleau Development, said in an interview with the Miami Herald.

“We’re honored to be the host hotel for the home team,” Goldfarb said.

He noted because the Hurricanes have gone over 20 years since their last national title, “the feel is different.”

“They’ve really excited the entire marketplace,” Goldfarb said, which “makes it busier for us.”

That’s in part because they expect lots of local fans will visit. And the hotel can fully embrace the colors of the team staying there. The Fontainebleau will have banners, balloons and specialty drinks in green and orange Hurricanes colors, the executive noted. Waiters and bartenders will sport University of Miami garb.

Restaurants and bars such as Arkadia Grill, Bleau Bar and Prime 54 will be open to the public, including game night, and Arkadia will have extra TV screens. But Goldfarb recommends making reservations. LIV will have a special show following the game. The hotel’s nightclub is not typically open on Monday nights.

Then there’s the more serious part. The hotel’s banquet staff and facilities will provide custom-made breakfast, lunch and dinner to the football players and athletic staff.

Downtown

Indiana University’s team and staff will stay at the InterContinental Miami Hotel, which is downtown on the southern end of Bayfront Park. Hotel officials didn’t immediately respond to a request for information.

But during a visit by a Herald reporter to the Intercontinental on Tuesday night, a staff member said the main bar will stay open Jan. 19 until 3 a.m. It normally closes at 11 p.m. And a request for a room on the night of Jan. 17, Jan. 18 and Jan. 19 was denied — the hotel is sold out those nights.

Overall, the CFP is working with over 25 hotels in South Florida, said Aedo, the Greater Miami tourism executive. That includes the JW Marriott Marquis downtown, which will host the coaches’ news conferences on Jan. 18 and that of the winning team on Jan. 20.

Events around town

CFP is offering various additional events over the next week for visitors, sports fans, music lovers, even for teachers looking to network. The following comes from the 2026 Miami Host Committee and the Greater Miami Convention Center and Visitors Bureau.

Playoff Fan Central at Miami Beach Convention Center

When: Jan. 16-18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cost: Open to public and free

What: Interactive family-friendly events include games, clinics, pep rallies, band performances, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history.

AT&T Playoff Playlist Live concert series

When: Jan. 17-18, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Lummus Park on Ocean Drive, Miami Beach

Saturday lineup: Calvin Harris, John Summit and XANDRA

Sunday lineup: Peso Pluma, Latin Mafia and Greeicy

Cost: Free and open to the public, no ticket required

Media Day

When: Jan. 17, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Miami Beach Convention Center

Cost: Despite the name, this is open to the public and free. Fans can watch Indiana and Miami players and coaches conduct interviews with the media. Free headsets will be provided.

Extra Yard for Teachers Summit

When: Jan. 17, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Filmore, 1700 Washington Ave.

Cost: Open and free to teachers and educators

What: Will feature “inspiring speeches from high-profile speakers,” giveaways and a peer-to-peer networking reception. Pitbull, ESPN reporter Jess Sims, William Hayes and 2025 National Teacher of the Year Ashlie Crosson will participate. Organized by CFP Foundation.

For more information: Contact Angela Lang at angela@tonyfaypr.com or 214-548-0827 or Reeve Eddins at reeves@tonyfaypr.com or 901-647-9697

Championship Tailgate

When: Jan. 19, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Hard Rock Stadium

What: Interactive games, performances and live ESPN broadcasts

MLK Day of Service

When: Jan. 19, 9 a.m., Booker T. Washington Senior High School, 1200 NW Sixth Ave., Overtown in Miami

For more information: Contact Angela Lang at angela@tonyfaypr.com or 214-548-0827 or Reeve Eddins at reeves@tonyfaypr.com or 901-647-9697

Baptista Health CFP Trophy Trot 5K/10K

When: Jan. 18, 8 a.m., at South Pointe Park in South Beach

Cost: Registration required. Go to this runningsignup.com, $45 to $55 to enter; cost increases on at 11:59 p.m. Jan. 17

Taste of the Championship

When: Jan. 18, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at M2 Nightclub, 1235 Washington Ave., Miami Beach

Cost: Tickets for sale

What: Sample gourmet food and beverages from Miami restaurants and breweries

Columbus High School Watch Party for alumni

When: Jan. 19, gates open 5:30 p.m., Christopher Columbus High School Athletic Field, 3000 SW 87th Ave., West Miami-Dade

What: College Football National Championship Watch Party hosted by Christopher Columbus High School. This is a ticketed event for the Christopher Columbus High School community. Live game broadcast, food trucks, traditional roast pork cooked in cajachinas, and family activities. Open to alumni, students, parents and faculty.

For more information: For questions or tickets, contact Cristina Cruz art ccruz@columbushs.com or 305-519-4738.

This story was originally published January 15, 2026 at 5:00 AM.