This article will provide everything you need to know about the Miami-Dade Arena. You’ll find stadium news, the center’s unknown history, event details, and more to make your next visit to Miami-Dade Arena convenient and enjoyable.
So, if you’re planning a vacation to enjoy the upcoming UFC event, we assure you you’ll have a great time.
Let’s discuss this arena in detail:
What is the Miami-Dade Arena?
The Miami-Dade Arena is a multi-purpose venue that can be found in Miami, Florida, close to Biscayne Bay. The Miami Heat, a team in the National Basketball Association, plays most of its games there.
This venue was formerly known as the American Airlines Arena between 1999 and 2021 and then as the FTX Arena between 2021 and 2023.
This arena has in total of 19600 seats for basketball; for Concerts purpose, it has 5,000–20,021, and for Hockey, 14,447 seats for hockey. The total cost to build this was around US$ 213 million.
The goal of the arena construction project was to create a state-of-the-art facility. This arena maximized its potential for use by hosting a wide range of events that would appeal to all demographic groups in Greater Miami.
A Brief History of the Miami-Dade Arena
- The American Airlines Arena was originally known as the Miami-Dade Arena when it opened on December 31, 1999.
- George Heinlein, Cristian Petschen, Reinaldo Borges, and Lance Simon were the primary architects responsible for the construction of this arena. Architecture firms Arquitectonica and 360 Architecture these two agencies were involved in building this arena.
- The arena was officially opened with a performance by Gloria Estefan, who also served as the event’s host. After those two days, on January 2, 2000, the Miami Heat played their first game in the new arena and won their debut contest against the Orlando Magic.
- From 2000 until 2002, the Women’s National Basketball Association team Miami Sol played at the arena.
- The Arena has a contract with American Airlines until 2019. On September 10, 2019, it was reported that American Airlines had stated that it would not renew its naming rights once those rights expired at the end of 2019.
What Events Do They Show at the Miami-Dade Arena?
Concerts, sports events, stage and theatrical shows, family entertainment, meetings, and special events can occur in the arena. It is a highly versatile space.
With the thousands of taillights coming from the gridlock it induces on the streets or the large outdoor screen facing the street, it is impossible to miss the 20,000-seat downtown arena.
Everything You Need to Know About the Miami-Dade Arena
The stadium has 76 private boxes, 80 luxury suites, and 2,105 club seats. The Waterfront Theater, which can accommodate between 3,00 and 5,800 people, is located inside the arena and is the largest theatre in Florida.
The Miami Metrorail platform at Government Center directly serves the arena, which offers free transfers to the Metromover Omni Loop for direct access to Freedom Tower and Park West. The arena and Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre Metrorail station are within walking distance.
American Airlines sponsored the arena’s roof. They painted a giant aircraft with its logo in the center. The design is visible at Miami International Airport, America’s hub from airplanes taking off and landing.
During Heat games, those 939 parking spots are only accessible to people who have purchased premium seats or Dewar’s 12 Clubhouse tickets. The arena has a total of 939 parking spots.
Few parking options will be available to arena guests in the immediate area surrounding Miami-Dade Arena due to the ongoing growth and development of downtown Miami.
Four options are available if you want to visit this arena: bus, train, subway, and light train.
For a UFC event, the ticket prices range from $336.00 to $9568.00.
The Main Functions and Events of the Miami-Dade Arena
This is a multipurpose arena that has hosted many events over the years. It has hosted occasions like NBA Finals games, WWE pay-per-view events, and concerts.
This arena has hosted the NBA Finals on multiple occasions, including in 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. It has also hosted many important WWE Events, such as Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Hell in a Cell.
In terms of concerts, many world-famous artists such as Shakira, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift have all performed at the American Airlines Arena. This arena has hosted two back-to-back MTV Video Music Awards in 2004 and 2005.
This arena also hosted Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 2017, and it is counted as one of many historically significant events to take place at the American Airlines Arena.
This arena will also host UFC 287 in April 2023, which will happen between Pereira and Adesanya.
The Miami-Dade Arena has been an important part of Miami, Florida’s cultural and entertainment history as it witnessed many historical events.
Conclusion
I believe that Miami-Dade Arena is, in my opinion, one of the best venues to watch a UFC event due to its enormous capacity and the incredible services provided.
It doesn’t matter what you are looking for; Miami-Dade Arena will be able to meet your expectations.
