Hard Rock Stadium, officially named Joe Robbie Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Miami, Florida, USA. It is used mostly for American football matches, hosting the home games of the Miami Dolphins, its owner.
Opened on August 16, 1987 with a preseason game between the Dolphins and the Chicago Bears, it replaced the original Orange Bowl, which had 74,476 seats. The seating capacity of the new stadium is currently set at 64,767. The stadium was designed by HOK Sport Venue Event (now Populous) and had a construction cost of $115 million.
A NFL category four stadium and one of the biggest stadiums by capacity in the United States (the biggest in Florida), Hard Rock Stadium hosted several matches of the NFL Super Bowl, including its final, as well as the 2016, 2020, and 2021 finals of the College Football Playoff National Championship. It was elected the most beautiful stadium of America in a 2015 online poll by ESPN. By its fifteenth birthday, Hard Rock Stadium had welcomed more than 17 million spectators. The stadium is one of the potential venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States will co-host along with Canada and Mexico.
Although the Hard Rock Stadium has gone through several official name changes, it is commonly referred to as the Hard Rock. The stadium is located in Miami Gardens, Florida, a city located in north-central Miami-Dade County. The stadium's current name, Hard Rock, is derived from its partnership with the Hard Rock Cafe Inc., a chain of theme restaurants founded in 1971. This unofficial name took hold after the stadium's naming rights were purchased by the Hard Rock Cafe in 2016. Miami locals and football fans alike typically refer to it as the Hard Rock. However, this name is not a literal translation or representation of the stadium's physical location or architectural features, but rather a branding decision. The name Hard Rock doesn't have a specific connection to 'rock' or 'hardness', but to the original brand of the sponsoring company: Hard Rock Cafe Inc. This name has gained popularity and recognition worldwide, representing a brand known for its collection of music memorabilia, making the Hard Rock stadium a landmark in Miami.
An ideal location, offering excellent accessibility and ample scope for future expansion, was found in Miami, Florida. Being located in the city's entertainment district, the new stadium was initially known as 'Hard Rock Stadium'.
The stadium is owned by real estate developer Stephen Ross who also owns the Miami Dolphins, one of the teams that play at the stadium. The plans for the sports complex were drafted in the 1980s by architects HOK Sport (now Populous) and was renovated in 2015 by the architecture firm HOK.
Driven by the desire to create a world-class venue, Ross invested $350 million in renovations. These renovations saw improvements in the seating, the addition of a partial roof to protect fans from the elements, and upgraded facilities to enhance the game-day experience.
Construction work officially began in January 2015 and was completed in time for the 2016 NFL season. The stadium's seating capacity was reduced to 65,326 - all of which are now wider and more comfortable - and 92 percent of the seats are protected from the elements by the new canopy.
The Hard Rock Stadium also includes a number of luxury suites, including the 72 Club, which offers an all-inclusive food and beverage experience and extrawide seating, and the Nine suites, located at the top of the stadium, offering an unparalleled view of the action on the field.
In addition to hosting home games for the Miami Dolphins and the University of Miami Hurricanes, the Hard Rock Stadium hosts a variety of other events. It has hosted five Super Bowls, two World Series, four BCS National Championship Games, and it is the current home of the Miami Open tennis tournament. It is also a top-tier concert venue, with artists such as The Rolling Stones, U2, and Taylor Swift having performed there.
The Hard Rock Stadium is also home to a contemporary art collection, thanks to the efforts of owner Stephen Ross and his wife Kara Ross, who are both avid art collectors. The collection features work from international artists and seeks to enhance the fan experience by creating a visually engaging environment.
Efforts have also been made to enhance the sustainability of the Hard Rock Stadium. In 2019, the stadium announced that it would be eliminating 99.4 percent of single-use plastics by 2020. The initiative is part of a larger effort to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability in the sports industry.
Hard Rock Stadium (1987) (in English). Miami Dolphins: This reference provides detailed information about the Hard Rock Stadium, highlighting its history since its inauguration in 1987.
Hard Rock Stadium (The Rock) – until 2016. StadiumDB.com: This resource gives insights about the stadium until 2016, offering relevant data and facts about its usage and events.
Hard Rock never sleeps, Preface, Prime Books, 2003 (ISBN 972-8820-07-0): This book provides extensive information about the Hard Rock brand and its global influence, including the impact of naming the stadium.
Miami Dolphins 50 glorious years - The History 1, Edition and Contents, S.A., 2003 (ISBN 989-554-099-X): This reference provides a comprehensive history of the Miami Dolphins, including their home ground - the Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami Dolphins 50 glorious years - The History 1, pp.84, Edition and Contents, S.A., 2003 (ISBN 989-554-099-X): This is a deeper dive into the history of the Miami Dolphins and their home stadium, giving more detailed information on page 84.
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