Miami’s World Cup win: bid documents pitched big spending, human rights, mega airport

Miami-Dade County’s pitch to secure World Cup games in 2026 included assurances the metropolitan area could support pricey ticket sales, absorb a crush of visitors and shield organizers from the kind of criticism on human-rights issues surrounding the tournament’s current host, Qatar.

A package of bid documents, obtained by the Miami Herald through a public records request, highlights some of the priorities for World Cup organizers in selecting the 16 North American cities to host matches when the global tournament shifts to the Western Hemisphere in four years.

The documents don’t reveal financial obligations or offers from local governments to land the World Cup games.

World Cup organizers announced Miami as a host city on June 17, bringing one of the most popular sporting events in the world to Miami-Dade County. In 2018, Miami-Dade estimated the World Cup would be much costlier than playing host to the Super Bowl, but also would bring significant tourism spending and have a beneficial economic impact. Enterprise Florida, the state’s tax-funded economic development agency, is contributing $5 million to Miami’s World Cup efforts.

The bid documents show FIFA’s priorities and concerns as it prepares for the logistical challenges of a hemispheric World Cup with three countries playing host to the tournament in 2026. Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens is one of 11 World Cup venues in the United States, along with five in Canada and Mexico.

Some highlights from the bid documents include:

Miami can handle ultra-luxe ticket prices. One part of the 2017 application asks Miami-Dade about price ranges for ticket packages of prior major sporting events. Some of the priciest examples in the county’s response: $3,500 for the best seats at 2017’s El Clásico soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona; $13,000 tickets for 2010’s Super Bowl and $60,000 suites for 2016’s NASCAR championship in Homestead.

Miami-Dade agreed not to charge World Cup spectators for transit on game days. FIFA asked for examples of Miami-Dade implementing free transit for large events, the county said it “is equipped and ready to implement free service as needed” for the World Cup. Only bus routes run to Hard Rock, with the nearest Tri-Rail station about four miles away.

Miami International Airport will cater to FIFA’s logistical needs. While World Cup tournaments are typically held in one country, the 2026 schedule will span a continent. That requires addressing how fans can hop between time zones and host cities to catch the games. Miami-Dade agreed to turn over retail space to FIFA for welcome centers at Miami International Airport, and try to boost arrivals and departures around game days.

FIFA made ‘human rights’ a big part of the 2026 application process. While most of the bid documents are several years old, the most recent correspondence with World Cup organizers involved Miami-Dade’s record and actions related to fair wages, organized labor, and equality. Human rights have been a sore spot for FIFA with the 2022 World Cup host of Qatar, a monarchy that has criminalized same-sex relationships and faced allegations of abusing migrant workers. “The 2026 World Cup presents an opportunity for Miami-Dade County to showcase its rich history of supporting human rights,” Mayor Daniella Levine Cava wrote in a June 2021 letter to organizers.