MIAMI – Soccer fans worldwide have their eyes on Miami ahead of the Copa América 2024 final on Sunday at the Hard Rock Stadium. Still, the most loyal local fans were outside hotels in Dania Beach and Coral Gables — despite the high 106-degree peak heat index.
Colombia’s national team was at Le Méridien Dania Beach at Fort Lauderdale Airport, 1825 Griffin Road, and Argentina’s national team was at The Loews Coral Gables Hotel, 2950 Coconut Grove Drive. Fans started to line up with their flags outside on Friday.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, an InterMiami star, is a local. When he first moved, he and his family were at the Porsche Tower, at 18555 Collins Ave., in Sunny Isles Beach, and later purchased a house on Compass Lane in Fort Lauderdale’s Bay Colony neighborhood.
While the verified resale tickets were mostly unaffordable for many families, and Hard Rock Stadium staff announced that “fans MUST have game tickets” to celebrate around the stadium, that was their chance to cheer for their team.
There will be several public watch parties in Miami-Dade County. Locals already have their regular choice of restaurants and bars to help cure the nostalgia of living away from their countries, but there are some big temporary events.
Fans on a budget may visit the mall in Aventura to explore the exhibits and games, later go to the Wynwood Marketplace for an official Copa America fan zone, and then head to Miami Beach where the match will be on display at an outdoor theater with a 24-foot screen in North Beach — all free of admission.
WARNING: Resale ticket selling, trading, giving away may be opportunity for criminals
Here is a list of watch parties for fans:
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