HomeMy WebLinkAboutLTC 227-2026 Updates on FIFA World Cup 2026MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LTC #227-2026 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Eric Carpenter, City Manager�
May 27th, 2026
Updates on FIFA World Cup 2026
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (L TC) is to provide the Mayor and City Commission with an update on the City of Miami Beach's ongoing planning, departmental coordination, public
safety efforts, special event permitting, beautification initiatives, and marketing initiatives related
to FIFA World Cup 2026. As the region prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors for this global event, the City is advancing a coordinated, citywide approach to ensure Miami Beach is a premier destination for residents and visitors to enjoy the games and their love of the
nations coming together for 39 days.
Updates from our Departments:
Fire and Police
The Fire and Police Department, with the assistance of the Grants Office, have applied for a $2.6
million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), administered through the Miami FIFA Host Committee, to help defray public safety expenditures associated with FIFAsanctioned events.
The City's public safety efforts are intended to support operational readiness throughout the tournament period, particularly as Miami Beach anticipates increased pedestrian activity, vehicular
traffic, public gatherings, special events, watch parties, and tourism-related activity during June
and July 2026. The City's public safety departments will continue coordinating with regional partners, the Miami FIFA Host Committee, and internal City departments to support appropriate staff
ing, emergency response, crowd management, traffic and pedestrian flow, and overall public
safety planning.
The Police and Fire Departments have developed enhanced staffing plans and are leveraging
regional collaboration among public safety agencies, where feasible, to help manage costs while
maintaining public safety. Both departments are also actively participating in the planning and review process for Miami FIFA Host Committee-sponsored events and other activations that re
quire special event permitting. This review includes evaluating public safety staffing needs, emer
gency access, crowd management, fire rescue readiness, traffic impacts, and coordination with
event organizers and other City departments to ensure each activation is appropriately supported
from an operational and safety perspective.
City departments are also continuing to monitor additional activations that may emerge at hotels,
commercial corridors, and other venues throughout the tournament period. For example, the Argentine Consulate has confirmed a planned fan-fest style activation at the Sagamore Hotel, lo
cated at 1671 Collins Avenue, on Argentine National Team game days throughout the tourna
ment. In coordination with international, federal, state, and local partners, and as part of regional multi-agency coordination with the South Florida Fusion Center, the Police Department continues
to monitor and coordinate with team-specific fan base representatives, including the Tartan
Army,the Scottish National Team supporters'group,regarding potential planned activities within
the City.
In support of these operational planning efforts,the Police and Fire Department have participated
in multiple preparedness exercises focused on major event response,evacuation coordination,
public safety communication,and interagency coordination.These exercises included Operation
"Red Card,"a three-hour tabletop exercise held at the Miami Beach Convention Center on June
17,2025,with 117 participants,which tested local area evacuation coordination during an influx
of international visitors for a large sporting event.
The City also participated in Operation "Miami Rule,"a four-hour tabletop exercise held on Janu-
ary 8,2026,with 60 participants,which tested local response and communication among public
safety agencies,event organizers,and local venues during a sporting event festival experiencing
civil unrest.Additional regional preparedness efforts have included Operation "Lasso"at Hard
Rock Stadium,the Region 4 Miami VC Tabletop Exercise hosted by the City of Miami,Operation
"Lasso II"at the Broward Emergency Operations Center,and the Mount Sinai Medical Center
World Cup tabletop exercise focused on hospital capabilities and local coordination for a mass
casualty incident.
City personnel have also participated in agency preparedness trainings related to sports and
special event risk management,crowd management,incident management,protective actions,
CPR/AED/Stop the Bleed,Waymo response coordination,rappelling/response,and regional
emergency management training through Miami-Dade County and Monroe County.
Tourism and Culture
The Tourism and Culture Department continues to assist with special events permitting for vari-
ous activations taking place during the FIFA World Cup 2026.Several applications are currently
under review,along with a completed pop-up application for the official FIFA World Cup 2026
Store on Lincoln Road.Current special event applications and activations include the following:
Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Store
1006 Lincoln Road,Storefront
May 15-September 30,2026
Mondays -Saturdays:10:00 a.m.-6:.00 p.m.
Sundays:10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Giants of the Game -World Cup Inflatables
FOX Sports Activation
Lummus Park Grassy Area,between 11 Street--12 Street
June 5,2026,9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Copa del Sol
Public soccer competition for youth and community
Lummus Park Beachfront,9 Street -10 Street
Friday,June 5,2026,4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Saturday,June 6,2026,9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Sunday,June 7,2026,9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
FIFA 2026 World Cup Host Committee Kickoff Watch Party &Concert
Lummus Park Beachfront,7 Street -10 Street
June 11,2026,2:00 p.m.--8:45 p.m.
Concacaf House -41 for One
536 Lincoln Road,Storefront
June 11-July 19,2026,11:00 a.m.-7.00 p.m.daily
BANDERAZO"
Primo Cafe &Market,3924 Collins Avenue
June 13,2026,2:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
FIFA World Cup x REEFLINE Activation
Lummus Park Spoil Area,11 Street-12 Street
June 14 -June 28,2026,10:00 a.m.-7.00 p.m.
CONMEBOL -"From the Roots to the Soul"
720 Lincoln Road,Storefront,and Euclid Oval
June 14-July 14,2026,1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.daily
Nike World Cup Block Party
Nike Miami,1035 Lincoln Road
June 26,2026,10:00 a.m.-8:.00 p.m.
FIFA 2026 World Cup Host Committee Official Viewing Party
Miami Beach Bandshell Sand Bowl,72 Street and Collins Avenue
July 18,2026,4:00 p.m.-8:.00 p.m.
July 19,2026,2:00 p.m.-6:.00 p.m.
In connection with the FIFA World Cup 2026,the Tourism and Culture Department will present
VOLTA,a new media work by artist Stephen Dean,at SoundScape Park on Friday,June 12,
2026.The program will include a conversation with Franklin Sirmans,Director of the Perez Art
Museum Miami,and will celebrate the relationship between arts,sports,global culture,and pub-
lic gathering spaces.VOLTA was previously featured in the Perez Art Museum Miami's 2018 ex-
hibition,"The World's Game:Futbol and Contemporary Art,"which explored soccer's cultural im-
pact and its intersections with societies around the world.
Parks,Facilities,Fleet &Beaches
The Parks,Facilities,Fleet &Beaches Department is advancing an extensive series of beautifi-
cation and maintenance efforts along Lincoln Road and within Lummus Park ahead of the FIFA
World Cup 2026 to ensure these high-traffic areas are clean,vibrant,safe,and welcoming for
residents and visitors.
Along Lincoln Road,crews are completing a full deep cleaning of the corridor from the 1100
block to the 400 block,supported by litter-can maintenance,refreshed paint on piano keys,plant-
ers,fountains,signage,and coordinated curb painting with the Parking Department.Additional
work includes traffic delineator replacements,targeted maintenance improvements,irrigation and
vegetation assessments,sod replacement at the 400 block with a planned sod reassessment,
and evaluations of tree pits for potential temporary resin applications.
Crews are also addressing asphalt patch repairs at Euclid Circle,cleaning drainage systems and
manholes,and completing grate replacements to improve safety,appearance,and overall func-
tionality.In Lummus Park,enhancements include repainting Muscle Beach,deep cleaning re-
strooms,and upgrading landscaping to further elevate the park's presentation during World Cup-
related festivities.
The Department is also supporting related programming at the Scott Rakow Youth Center,in-
cluding a visit from the Scottish Government's Minister of Sport on June 23,2026,from 10:00
a.m.to 11:30 a.m.,to tour the facility and discuss programming.
Parking
During the event period,the Parking Department will implement enhanced staffing on strategic
dates to ensure efficient personnel deployment for the enforcement of residential zones and or-
derly parking operations throughout metered districts.In addition,pricing adjustments may be
strategically implemented at select high-impact garages,when applicable and approved by City
leadership.Parking will also work closely with transportation partners to identify opportunities for
park-and-ride operations should demand or operational needs warrant their use.
Transportation
The City's traffic monitoring and management contractor will monitor traffic conditions along ma-
jor thoroughfares in real-time to detect incidents creating congestion based on available re-
sources and equipment,coordinate with Police on incident management,and implement modifi-
cations to traffic signal timing as needed to manage congestion.Traffic Monitors will operate on
an extended schedule during predetermined high-impact game days and events held in the
City.
The City is planning to deploy free special event water taxi and shuttle services during the follow-
ing key game days and events anticipated to generate an influx of visitors and traffic in Miami
Beach:
•Thursday,June 11,2026,from 12 p.m.to 11p.m.-enhanced free water taxi service from
the Venetian Marina to Maurice Gibb Memorial Park with free shuttle service to/from
Lummus Park (location of the FIFA Host Committee Kick-Off Watch Party and Concert).
This special event service will operate in addition to the City's weekday free water taxi
service,which commences at 7:00 a.m.and will be extended to 11p.m.on this day.
•Saturday,July 18 and Sunday,July 19,2026,from 10a.m.to 11 p.m.-free water taxi
service from the Venetian Marina to Maurice Gibb Memorial Park with free shuttle service
to/from the Bandshell (location of the FIFA Official Viewing Party).
In addition,the City will enhance the Miami Beach Trolley service during these key game days
and events by adding vehicles to the trolley loops to increase the frequency of service during this
high-impact period.Additional games and enhancements will be identified and implemented as
needed and as funding allows.
Public Works
The Public Works Department will work directly with all major utility companies and contractors to
align schedules and ensure significant infrastructure projects are properly planned,permitted,
advanced,and completed ahead of the events.Special attention will be given to projects that en-
hance the visitor experience and support event operations,with expedited review and permitting
processes applied where appropriate.
Public Works is currently working with public utility companies to identify and close out expired
permits.This initiative focuses on ensuring that all temporary restorations are replaced with final,
permanent patches within the right-of-way.By addressing these outstanding permits,the depart-
ment ensures that all infrastructure repairs meet city standards,resulting in a safer and cleaner
environment for the public.
Current efforts also include the resurfacing of 17th Street from Alton Road to Washington Ave-
nue.As part of this project,the department is also addressing deficient curbs and gutters and re-
pairing uneven or damaged sidewalks.These enhancements will significantly improve the road-
way's condition and aesthetics while ensuring a smoother,safer,and more visually appealing
corridor for both pedestrians and motorists.
Additionally,a construction moratorium will be implemented within the City's rights-of-way during
key event periods to reduce traffic congestion and minimize impact to residents,visitors,and
businesses.The moratorium will include the removal of unnecessary Maintenance of Traffic
(MOT)setups and will restrict activity in the right-of-way.Only projects that are pre-approved or
deemed essential to City operations will be allowed on major thoroughfares.These measures,
and others,are intended to demonstrate the City's best effort,make a good impression,and en-
sure a safe,efficient,and welcoming environment for all
Economic Development
The Economic Development Department has implemented several business-driven initiatives de-
signed to elevate Miami Beach's FIFA World Cup 2026-related activities while supporting local
small businesses and commercial corridors.
As part of these efforts,the Department has expanded its Business Concierge outreach to help
prepare small businesses for increased visitor demand during the tournament period.This tar-
geted support includes streamlined guidance related to pop-up permitting,extended-hours ap-
provals,and event-specific marketing resources.The Department also coordinated a pre-event
Business Ready Day,on May 21,2026,to help vendors,merchandise partners,and local busi-
nesses prepare to activate quickly,effectively,and in compliance with applicable City require-
ments.
The Department has utilized existing communication channels,including social media,newslet-
ters,visitor-facing platforms,and email communications to approximately 6,000 businesses in its
contact database,to spotlight small businesses,promote event-week specials,and highlight lo-
cal experiences.In partnership with the Marketing and Communications Department,Economic
Development distributed a "Feature Your World Cup 2026 Business Activation"email to busi-
nesses,associations,and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs),encouraging them to submit
FIFA-related promotions,activations,and offerings for inclusion on the City's official World Cup
platform.This no-cost amplification effort is intended to help drive foot traffic and increase visibil-
ity for Miami Beach's diverse business community.
Additionally,the Economic Development Department hosted a BID Roundtable with directors
from the City's BIDs and business associations to provide updates on planned World Cup-related
activities and gather feedback regarding the needs of their respective commercial areas.The dis-
cussion included coordination with colleagues from Parking,Transportation and Mobility,and
Public Works to ensure that business districts are informed,prepared,and supported in advance
of special events and increased visitor activity.
Marketing and Communications
The City of Miami Beach is rolling out an extraordinary,citywide celebration designed to wel-
come fans,support local businesses,and transform the City's iconic streets,parks,and beach-
front into a global stage.At the heart of this celebration is a citywide installation featuring 48
larger-than-life,16-foot inflatable soccer balls,each representing a qualifying nation.These
highly visible,photo-worthy markers will be placed throughout Miami Beach,from South Pointe
to North Beach,inviting fans to explore the city through an immersive,self-guided experience
that celebrates global unity,national pride,and Miami Beach's vibrant cultural character.
Fans will also be able to participate in an online,scavenger-hunt-style mission game tied to the
48 soccer balls,adding an interactive layer of play to the citywide experience.The installation will
be on display beginning June 5 and continuing through the month of July.The citywide installa-
tion complements a full calendar of official events and fan experiences celebrating the tourna-
ment on and off the sand,including the following:
Copa del Sol Street Soccer Tournament
This multigenerational tournament will celebrate the global game with dozens of teams,commu-
nity engagement,and inclusive participation that brings the spirit of soccer to Miami Beach from
June 5 through June 7.
Beachfront Concert &Opening Match Celebration
On June 11,2026,Miami Beach will host the FIFA World Cup 2026 Kick-Off Watch Party and
Concert at the Lummus Park beachfront in celebration of the tournament's opening match be-
tween Mexico and South Africa.Doors will open at 2:00,with the match commencing at 3:00
p.m.The Miami FIFA Host Committee has announced Carlos Vives as the headlining performer
for the live concert immediately following the match.As part of the activation,registration for
1,000 reserved seats for Miami Beach residents went live on Sunday,May 25,2026,through an
online registration link.
REEFLINE's "Big Goals"at Lummus Park
From June 14 through June 28,an immersive art-meets-sport installation will transform the
beach between 11 Street and 12 Street into a monumental pitch complete with oversized goals,
inviting visitors to play,explore,and engage with marine-focused educational programming.
Miami Beach Bandshell Watch Parties
The Miami Beach Bandshell will host a series of free public watch parties featuring large
screens,food and beverage options,and a lively communal atmosphere.Scheduled events in-
clude Argentina vs.Austria on June 22,Scotland vs.Brazil on June 24,and both semifinal
matches on July 14 and July 15,respectively.
Sand Bowl Watch Parties
In partnership with The Rhythm Foundation and the Miami FIFA Host Committee,Miami Beach
will present two additional public watch parties at the Sand Bowl on July 18 and July 19,offering
a family-friendly,high-energy environment for fans to gather and watch the Bronze Final and Fi-
nal Cup matches.
Fan Fest Uruguay
A special daylong celebration of Uruguayan pride will be held at the Miami Beach Bandshell on
June 20,produced in partnership with the Consulate of Uruguay.The event will feature food,mu-
sic,and cultural performances.
Flags of Nations
The iconic Miami Beach sign at Ocean Drive and 6"Street will receive a fresh new look for the
World Cup.The landmark will be surrounded by 48 vibrant flags representing every qualifying
nation,creating a dynamic backdrop for fans and visitors and providing a share-worthy photo op-
portunity that began on May 22°.
Lincoln Road Activations
Throughout June and July,Lincoln Road will host international soccer-themed experiences,live
match viewing at cafes,pop-up activations,music,shopping,and team-themed merchandise.
Washington Avenue Mural
A Washington Avenue mural by artist Yort will transform the 1400 block into a bold,high-energy
tribute to the way many fans first connect with soccer,through the screen.
Local businesses are also joining the celebration with themed promotions,watch parties,dining
specials,limited-edition retail,hotel packages,and other offerings.These activities will be fea-
tured on the City's official World Cup website:www.miamibeachfl.gov/worldcup.
The Administration will continue coordinating across departments and with community partners,
local businesses,regional stakeholders,and the Miami FIFA Host Committee to support a safe,
engaging,and memorable World Cup experience in Miami Beach.
For questions or additional information,please contact Chief of Staff Christina Baguer at
christinabaguer@miamibeachfl.gov.
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