Traffic

Miami Heat’s return to home court can affect downtown traffic. Here’s what to expect

Miami Herald
Miami Heat fans show their support during the game against the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Saturday, May 27, 2023.
Miami Heat fans show their support during the game against the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Saturday, May 27, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com

The Miami Heat will return to the home court for a new season. And heavy traffic around the bayfront arena will return, too.

The Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic tip off Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Kaseya Center in their 2024 NBA opener.

So, get ready for some basketball action, and some traffic action as arriving fans and departing commuters cross paths in downtown Miami.

MORE: As start of regular season approaches, what did Heat show during revelatory preseason?

Here’s what to know about the traffic flow:

Miami Heat fans wave towels that read “White Hot Playoffs” and “Time to Hunt” during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals series agains thte Boston Celtics at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on May 21, 2023. This is the first time Miami and Florida have ever made their respective conference finals in the same season and the first time two teams from the same market were No. 8 seeds and went on to make the conference finals.
Miami Heat fans wave towels that read “White Hot Playoffs” and “Time to Hunt” during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals series agains thte Boston Celtics at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on May 21, 2023. This is the first time Miami and Florida have ever made their respective conference finals in the same season and the first time two teams from the same market were No. 8 seeds and went on to make the conference finals. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com

Miami Heat

Home opener: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Arena location: Kaseya Center, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.

Nearby: Bayside Marketplace, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park, downtown Miami business district, Brickell area.

Other events in the area: Lucky for you, if you’re driving to the Heat game or commuting home, major downtown Miami venues are dark on Wednesday evening. The Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, just to the north in the Omni district, is between performances. And the Bayfront Park amphitheater south of the arena in downtown Miami won’t have a major performance until November.

Traffic choke points: Biscayne Boulevard from 11th to Flagler streets, Northeast Second Avenue from 13th to Flagler streets, ramps to and from I-95. Note that the Brickell corridor and Biscayne Boulevard at Northeast 11th Street could flood if there’s a downpour. Expect some traffic back-ups at the beginning and end of the game as parking lots empty and drivers hit the road in what is a construction zone on highways running through downtown. Miami Heat games generally run 2 1/2 to 3 hours so there will be a lull after the 7:30 p.m. tip-off until the end of the game after 10 p.m.

Tip: Traffic worsens when other events are scheduled the same night as Heat games and as people head to and from downtown and Brickell nightspots. If you’re planning to head to future Heat games or just trying to get through the gridlock on the way home or to another area venue, take note of the calendar of events at the nearby Arsht Center and FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park.

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