Miami’s true sports king, college football, delivers wins for everyone | Opinion
Miami is a city built for major events, and South Floridians know what it takes to host the biggest moments in sports. However, even by our own lofty standards, 2026 will be special.
Kicked off by the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 92nd Capital One Orange Bowl and with the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Game fast approaching on Jan. 19, the calendar is stacked with premier events — from the World Baseball Classic and Miami Open to the PGA Tour’s return, the Miami Grand Prix and the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup. And that’s all before July!
Our region will reap many wins with each of these competitions. Whether it’s the tens of thousands of visiting fans and hundreds of millions of dollars they spend locally or the countless viewers who will see images of sun and fun that remind them South Florida belongs on their travel agenda, being a title-crowning destination delivers tangible benefits.
Yet, the rewards do not stop at the cash register and tax rolls. This is brought to life no better than by the sport responsible for our region’s championship roots, college football.
While the National Championship will result in an incredible game and unforgettable free events that make the excitement accessible to all, what deserves even greater fanfare is the work the Orange Bowl Committee, the 2026 Miami Host Committee, the College Football Playoff Foundation and other local organizations have undertaken for the upcoming College Football Playoff.
A legacy started by the Orange Bowl in the early 1930’s, the college football post-season is one of South Florida’s greatest agents of change, inspiring our youth and engaging the community.
Through deeply impactful programs and gifts connected to the hosting of the 2021 and 2026 College Football National Championships, more than $10 million will have been invested into improving the future of our kids, teachers, and communities.
Simply said:
- Because of college football, every Miami-Dade County public middle school will have a reimagined learning and innovation space where thousands of students, today and tomorrow, can explore, create and engage with modern media and technology.
- Because of college football, more than 14,000 Miami-Dade County teachers have enrolled and have access to new training resources and special recognition programs that will award $1 million by the end of the academic year via the Miami Loves Teachers program, a joint effort by the Host Committee, CFP’s Extra Yard for Teachers initiative, The Education Fund and Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
- And because of college football, more than $4.6 million will be invested in the revitalization of Walt Frazier Park in Miami Gardens and the Kendall Boys & Girls Club in South Miami, bringing state-of-the-art athletic fields, improved community facilities and richer extracurricular programs to South Florida neighborhoods. Separately, a new cutting-edge STEAM lab at Bunche Park in Miami Gardens will give the community a hub to learn, experiment and bring ideas to life.
These programs only encapsulate the impact of hosting the 2021 and 2026 College Football Playoff National Championships. What college football has given to our region is even greater. Over the past two decades, through Orange Bowl Cares initiatives, the Orange Bowl Committee has invested more than $50 million into local neighborhoods, schools and youth programs, enriching communities across South Florida.
While we all remember the thrill of cheering our favorite athletes and teams, the victories for our community continue long after the confetti falls and the trophies are raised. Those wins happen when we come together to win the opportunity to host these events — as many are awarded through a competitive bid process — and show why Miami is where champions are crowned and should be for years to come. This benefit extends far beyond sports fans to everyone in our community.
Jack Seiler is the chair of the 2026 Miami Host Committee. Henri Crockett is president and chair of the Orange Bowl Committee.