As World Cup nears, Hard Rock Stadium begins transformation into Miami Stadium
If you take a drive past Hard Rock Stadium, you won’t notice much proof of its name.
That’s because with the first 2026 FIFA World Cup game in Miami approaching, FIFA prohibits stadiums from being named for companies that aren’t official FIFA sponsors.
Hard Rock Stadium will be known as Miami Stadium for the duration of the tournament, joining fellow NFL venues such as Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Stadium), Gillette Stadium (Boston Stadium) and Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium), among others, that will also receive temporary names under FIFA rules.
At a 2024 event hosted by the Miami Host Committee, committee President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo addressed the temporary name changes and signage requirements that the venue would face under FIFA rules.
“All branding and all signage has to be covered, those are the FIFA rules,” said Lutoff-Perlo. “There are restricted categories for sponsorships, but those only apply to our highest level of packages. We have lots of levels of donor sponsors and that field is wide open for everyone.”
In addition to the Hard Rock Stadium signage, branding for sponsors such as Verizon and Heineken was also covered.
Although non-FIFA-affiliated sponsors will not be on display during the World Cup, a 2024 FIFA-commissioned study estimated the seven Miami matches could still generate $1.3 billion in economic impact.
At the event in 2024, Miami Host Committee co-chair Rodney Barreto acknowledged that FIFA has set extensive requirements but also expressed confidence in the local effort behind the tournament.
“We’re working with FIFA, they have a lot of restrictions, but we’ve put together a Who’s Who of civic activism in this town, we’re all rolling up our sleeves and opening up our little black books,” Barreto said.
Miami will be one of 16 cities across three countries to take part in hosting the 48-team tournament.
The tournament will kick off Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, with Mexico facing South Africa at Mexico City Stadium. The first game in Miami will be Monday, when Saudi Arabia faces Uruguay at 6 p.m. ET. Throughout the tournament, four group-stage fixtures, a Round of 32 match, a quarterfinal and the bronze final will be held at the newly named Miami Stadium.
This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 9:02 AM.