Inter Miami CF Opens Nu Stadium vs Austin FC

Inter Miami CF will open its long-awaited permanent home, Nu Stadium, on Saturday evening, hosting Austin FC in a Major League Soccer match at 7:30 p.m. in Miami Freedom Park, adjacent to Miami International Airport. The $350 million venue, seating 26,700 fans, marks the end of six seasons at the temporary 21,000-seat Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale and fulfills a vision first announced by co-owner David Beckham in 2014.

The stadium's debut comes after years of planning and construction challenges. Beckham, a former soccer star, initially sought waterfront property in downtown Miami but faced repeated setbacks, including failed proposals near the Port of Miami, the NBA's Miami Heat arena, and MLB's Marlins Park. Partnering with entrepreneurs Jorge Mas and Jose Mas in 2022 secured approval for the site on a former golf course. Groundbreaking occurred in August 2023 as part of the broader $1.3 billion Miami Freedom Park development, which includes retail, offices, and public spaces. Workers completed the interior just in time, installing a Bermudagrass pitch, luxury locker rooms, and seats in pink, black, gray, and white, with black sections forming the team's heron mascot and...