A week after the opening game, Nu Stadium receives occupancy certificate

A week after the grand opening of Inter Miami’s home base, Nu Stadium, the city of Miami issued a temporary certificate of occupancy, allowing the venue to move forward without a limited event permit.

It’s unclear what held up the temporary certificate of occupancy, which records show the city and the stadium had been working on securing ahead of last week’s game, but it came in time for Saturday’s Inter Miami game against NY Red Bulls at 7:30 p.m.

READ MORE: Nu Stadium still awaiting occupancy certificate before next Inter Miami home game

City spokesperson Helena Poleo confirmed the stadium received the TCO, which grants permission to occupy a building before a final occupancy permit is issued, on Friday night.

“If you want to gain early occupancy on a project that is still under minor construction but now includes a habitable space, you can apply for a TCO/TCC in order to occupy the building before obtaining a Certificate of Completion,” the city of Miami permit website reads. Even without the certificate, last week’s inaugural match went ahead because the venue was issued a limited event permit by the city in lieu of the TCO.

More than two dozen fire and building personnel staffed the April 4 match, Poleo said. That included: 14 building-department staff at a cost of $7,700; 13 fire inspectors at a cost of $7,997; and two fire engines with eight firefighters on standby at a cost of $5,349. The fire personnel were conducting a “fire watch” as part of fire and life-safety code compliance.

Poleo noted that Inter Miami prepaid the costs for building-department staff and that the city will be reimbursed for the fire-related expenses.

Miami Herald Staff Writer Tess Riski contributed to this report.

This story was originally published April 11, 2026 at 11:23 AM.