Greater Miami offers an array of spectator sports, ranging from the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, to high-action Jai Alai, to the five-straight-College-World-Series-appearing University of Miami Hurricanes, to one of the country’s nicest thoroughbred racing courses. Furthermore, the city’s professional teams have witnessed the erection of two new sports venues-- the American Airlines Arena (Miami Heat) and Pro Player Stadium (Dolphins and Marlins). In addition to contacting the venues that host spectator sports, tickets for most of the events can be purchased through Ticketmaster (305/ 358-5885).  

 

 

The Miami Dolphins are this city’s pride and joy. The team has been to the Super Bowl five times and is the only team in modern history to complete a season-perfect 17-0 record (1972). When playing on their home turf, the Dolphins do their thing at the new Pro Player Stadium, an open-air facility and home to Super Bowl XXXIII, XXIX and XXIII. Tickets are $20-$145 and are available through the box office or Ticketmaster. 

The NBA’s Miami Heat were Atlantic Division Champions for the 1996-’97 and 1997-’98 seasons. The team’s new home court (as of 2000) is the American Airlines Arena, a 20,000-seat multipurpose facility that sits directly on the bay. Bayside landscaping includes an outdoor café/bar, and a pedestrian bridge that connects to the Bayside Marketplace across the street. Game times are usually at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available through the Heat’s box office or through Ticketmaster. For more information visit www.heat.com.  

The Florida Marlins won the 1997 World Series, after being in the Major Leagues for just five years. They play their home games at Pro Player Stadium, also home of the Miami Dolphins. The stadium played host to three Super Bowls and the 1997 World Series. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or by visiting the Pro Player Stadium box office. For season tickets or group discount information call (305) 930-HITS.  

The Miami Matadors came into hockey’s Minor League division in the fall of 1998, after the NHL’s Florida Panthers moved out to Broward County. Home games are played in the Miami Arena and the Matadors compete against 26 other teams in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). The Florida Panthers play their home games at the brand-new 19,452- seat National Car Rental Center. In 1996, the Panthers made it to the Stanley Cup finals, but lost to Colorado. Tickets are available through the box office or through Ticketmaster.

The University of Miami Hurricanes are Miami’s youthful delights. The Hurricanes’ football team continues as one of the fastest and winningest squads in college football. They have played for the National Championship eight times. Home games are played at the Orange Bowl Stadium. Often overshadowed by the football and baseball teams, Hurricane basketball is making great efforts to join in on the school’s championship fever. Home games are played at the Miami Arena. Hurricane baseball is played at Mark Light Stadium, located along the ambit of the campus just on the outskirts of Coral Gables. As of 2000, the baseball team has made five straight College World Series appearances.

Miami's Calder Race Course is a 220-acre track equipped with a stadium that houses as many as 15,000 fans. The 180,000-square-foot facility features live racing eight months a year, from May 23 to Jan. 2. Located next to Pro Player Stadium, the course features Florida racing’s wealthiest day, “The Festival of the Sun”, and Tropical at Calder. Daily thoroughbred racing Thursday through Monday beginning at 12:30 p.m. Full-card simulcasting and wagering available. Seating accommodations include fixed seats, box seats, gang-chairs on all floors, benches on apron, two dining rooms, and paddock seats. AE, MC, V.

Jai Alai is the fastest game in the world, with pelotas (Jai alai balls) being clocked at speeds greater than 170 miles per hour. Invented in Basque region of northern Spain, the game is not only extremely exciting, but also represents the diversities of Miami culture. Jai alai is played in a 176-ft-long court, with players ducking from pelotas and climbing walls to catch the hurling balls in a woven basket. Built in 1926, the Miami Jai Alai Fronton is America’s oldest fronton and it hosts about 13 games. The game also involves wagering among fans. Florida Gaming Corporation owns jai-alai frontons with simulcasting operations in Miami, Ocala, and Ft. Pierce, Florida. It is the largest jai-alai operator in the world. In addition, Poker has been added as its newest product to the Miami facility. With opening of the Crystal Card Room, Florida Gaming is the one of the largest Poker operators in the state of Florida. Tickets are $1, reserved seats are $2, Courtview Club $5. For more information call (305) 633-6400.  

Miami’s Doral-Ryder Open is a PGA Tour event with a professional field rivaling the majors of golf. Three pro-am events take place and are played on the famed Blue Monster course at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa. Pre-tournament events include the Concert on the Green (free to public) and Skins game. Two-for-one tickets available until Dec. 31 each year. Feb. 26—March 5, 2000.