Party with Gronk or photobomb a live TV broadcast at Super Bowl events in Miami Beach
Despite what TV announcers may say next month, the Super Bowl is not being held in “South Beach.” Not even close.
Geographically far from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, where the Big Game will be played, Miami Beach will nonetheless play a crucial role in welcoming the NFL to South Florida. The island city, which expects to see an estimated 150,000 visitors per day leading up to the Super Bowl, will be home to several live TV broadcasts, an NFL-sponsored “Super Bowl Experience” event with virtual competitions against pro athletes and even an Electronic Dance Music concert with a Grammy-winning DJ and a party-loving former New England Patriot.
The city is waiving $1,035,790 in rental facility fees and special event permit fees for the NFL’s Super Bowl Experience at the Miami Beach Convention Center, TV broadcasts and parties at Lummus Park Beach and area hotels, like the Mondrian Hotel and the SLS Hotel.
The waivers are “peanuts” compared to the money the city will bring in from the 4 percent resort tax per hotel rental, said Miami Beach Commissioner Ricky Arriola.
“Those fees are peanuts compared to the additional bed tax that we get from visitors, not to mention all of the free exposure that we get worldwide,” Arriola said. “We’re going to showcase Miami Beach at its finest. One thing we know how to do is throw celebrations and show people a good time.”
Former NFL player and Patriots star Rob Gronkowski will headline an EDM concert on Feb. 1 featuring musical artist Diplo and other world-renowned DJs at the North Beach Bandshell and the 73rd Street Sand Bowl. Tickets for Gronk Beach started out at $149 but have since risen to $399 for “a 6 hour open bar, premium dining, beach attractions, and performances,” according to the event’s website.
Fox Sports and ESPN will film studio shows on Lummus Park Beach. ESPN’s “First Take” show will be held at the Clevelander Hotel on Jan. 31. The NFL will hold film productions at Lummus Park as well.
The Super Bowl Experience will feature youth football clinics, participatory games and physical competitions against NFL players projected on LED screens.
It will be held from Jan. 25 to Feb. 1. Tickets cost between $20 and $40 for adults. Kids get in free.
Sixteen total special events and film productions have received permits from the city to set up shop in Miami Beach from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2, the day of the Big Game.
“It’s very exciting for our community,” said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. “We’re looking forward to being gracious hosts.”
This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 6:30 AM.
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