The Miami metropolitan area, tied with New Orleans for the most Super Bowls, is currently unable to host the Super Bowl.
Stephen Ross, owner of both the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium, says the Miami Gardens venue no longer meets NFL requirements to host the Super Bowl. To date, 11 events have been held in the Miami metropolitan area.
“The only thing that hurt is that Miami doesn’t have a Super Bowl here. We usually have a Super Bowl every five years,” Ross said at an April 30 conference hosted by law firm Bilgin Samberg at the Four Seasons in Brickell, according to Brian Bandel of the South Florida Business Journal. “Miami isn’t really in line to host the Super Bowl. It’s always exciting to have the Super Bowl, but it was before all the other events were held. Miami has by far the best climate. It’s in their best interest to host the Super Bowl here, but at this point they don’t believe we meet all the requirements and demands.”
Why does Hard Rock Stadium no longer meet NFL requirements?
Ross’ son-in-law, Daniel Silman, was also in attendance. He told Bandel that the Super Bowl requires space for hospitality events around the stadium, and that construction of facilities to accommodate the Miami Open and F1 events has reduced open space around the Hard Rock.
Still, Sillman said he believes a solution can be found that will still allow hospitality events around the stadium.
The last Super Bowl was held in Miami in 2020, and the next three are already scheduled for Los Angeles in 2027, Atlanta in 2028, and Las Vegas in 2029.
Bandel said Ross told him that if the Super Bowl were to return to the Hard Rock, he would like to update the facilities.
“We’re looking at ways to improve,” Ross said. “I always want the stadium to feel like a new stadium. We’re going to look at what the next steps are and make the fan experience even better.”
Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Office and the mayor of Miami Gardens did not immediately respond to requests for comment from USA TODAY.
Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect reporter on USA TODAY Network’s Florida Connect team. Sign up for our free newsletter to receive all of Florida’s best content straight to your inbox every weekday. florida today.
