The Messi Effect: Construction Commences on Miami Freedom Park and Inter Miami CF Stadium
September 1, 2023
Inter Miami CF has started construction on Miami Freedom Park and the Inter Miami CF stadium. This development follows the closure of Melreese Country Club: Miami International Links, one of Miami’s last public golf courses. Miami Freedom Park is a privately funded 131-acre entertainment district project with a new 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium and a 58-acre public park. The park is set to open in 2025, with the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for later this year. Crews are currently performing earthwork and site work on the site, with vertical construction planned across the entire 131 acres in multiple phases. Miami Freedom Park will offer various entertainment and commercial options, such as office space, a hotel, shops, restaurants, and attractions. It will also include a 58-acre public park with soccer and youth athletic fields.
Jorge Mas, Inter Miami CF Managing Owner, expressed his vision of creating a transformational sports complex. He aims to set a new standard for sports complexes and deliver a year-round destination for families. He looks forward to welcoming fans to the state-of-the-art stadium in 2025.
Efforts are underway to attract leasing and commercial partnerships, including established and emerging brands, to enhance this iconic Miami destination. Devon McCorkle, President of Miami Freedom Park, emphasized the high level of attention and inquiries received, driven by the positive impact of soccer superstar Lionel Messi’s presence in Inter Miami CF and the city.
Miami Freedom Park’s design team includes Arquitectonica, Manica, and CAA Icon, with plans to deliver additional retail, hotel, and commercial phases through 2030.
Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami CF generated immense interest, with over 8.4 million searches related to the team in just two months. Searches for Inter Miami CF jerseys and tickets surged by over 1,000%, with ticket prices significantly increasing. The team’s Instagram account also experienced a substantial growth in followers following Messi’s announcement of joining Inter Miami CF.
