Inter Miami is a weird club. They’ve got the greatest player to ever touch a soccer ball, a global brand that rivals European giants, and a pink-and-black aesthetic that basically took over the world overnight. But then you look at where they actually play. Chase Stadium isn’t some 80,000-seat concrete palace. It’s a 21,500-seat "modular" stadium tucked away in Fort Lauderdale. If you’ve ever driven past it on the way to the airport, it looks like a giant set of Legos. But honestly? That’s exactly why it works.
There’s this massive misconception that Chase Stadium—formerly known as DRV PNK Stadium—is just a placeholder. People keep waiting for the big move to Miami Freedom Park. But until that happens, this spot in Fort Lauderdale is the epicenter of the soccer universe. When Lionel Messi walks out of that tunnel, the atmosphere isn't just "good for MLS." It’s claustrophobic. It’s loud. It’s intimate in a way that those massive NFL stadiums never could be.
From Lockhart’s Ashes to Chase Stadium
To understand why Chase Stadium matters, you have to know what was there before. The site used to be Lockhart Stadium. It was a legendary but crumbling venue where the old Fort Lauderdale Strikers used to play. By the time Inter Miami got their hands on it, the place was a wreck. Vines were growing over the seats. It was a graveyard of South Florida soccer history.
Inter Miami pulled off something sort of miraculous in 2020. They demolished the old site and built the current structure in about ten months. Total cost? Roughly $60 million. That sounds like a lot until you realize modern stadiums usually cost half a billion. They used a modular design, which is a fancy way of saying they bolted pre-fabricated sections together. You can actually feel the stands shake when the North Stand supporters—the "La Familia" group—start jumping. Some people find that terrifying. Most fans find it addictive.
The Naming Rights Shuffle
The stadium has had an identity crisis. It started as Inter Miami CF Stadium, then became DRV PNK Stadium through a deal with AutoNation. In early 2024, JPMorgan Chase stepped in. Now it’s Chase Stadium. It’s the first time the bank has put its name on a soccer-specific stadium in the U.S., which tells you everything you need to know about the "Messi Effect." Banks don't write those checks for mediocre projects.
What It’s Actually Like Inside
Forget everything you know about corporate sports arenas. Chase Stadium is compact. If you’re sitting in the front row, you’re basically close enough to see the sweat on Sergio Busquets’ forehead.
The layout is a simple rectangle. No curves. No nosebleeds.
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The North Stand is where the heart is. That’s the safe-standing section. No one sits. There are drums. There’s smoke. There’s a constant wall of sound that stays at a fever pitch for 90 minutes. If you want a quiet afternoon with a hot dog, don't buy tickets in sections 106 through 111.
The West Stand is where the money is. This is where the premium clubs are located, including the Midfield Club. It’s air-conditioned, which is a literal lifesaver during a July match in Florida when the humidity makes you feel like you’re breathing through a warm, wet blanket.
The East Stand is the most iconic for TV. It’s where the "INTER MIAMI CF" lettering is spelled out across the seats.
Food, Drinks, and the "Miami" Tax
Let's talk money. It isn't cheap. You’re going to pay a premium for being in the same building as David Beckham. But the food is actually decent. You’ve got local vendors like Coyo Taco and Fuku Fried Chicken. Expect to spend $15 to $20 on a solid meal and another $14 for a beer. It’s steep, but the quality beats the rubbery burgers you get at most professional sports venues.
The Messi Logistics Nightmare
When Inter Miami signed Messi, Chase Stadium had to grow up fast. They literally had to add 3,000 seats in the corners just to handle the demand. Even then, getting a ticket is like trying to win the lottery while being struck by lightning.
The security is also on a different level now. You’ll see Yassine Chueko—Messi’s famous bodyguard—patrolling the touchline like a hawk. The stadium had to install taller fences and more sophisticated barriers because fans kept trying to run onto the pitch for a selfie.
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Pro Tip: If you're going to a game, do not try to drive and park at the stadium 20 minutes before kickoff. The parking lots are a labyrinth. Use the Brightline train. They have a "Home Runner" service that shuttles fans from the Fort Lauderdale station straight to the gates. It saves you the headache of the I-95 traffic, which is its own circle of hell.
Why Fort Lauderdale Instead of Miami?
This is the question that annoys locals. "Why is Inter Miami playing in Fort Lauderdale?"
The short answer: Politics.
The long answer: Building anything in Miami proper involves years of environmental impact studies, zoning battles, and political maneuvering. The Miami Freedom Park site (near the airport) is a massive undertaking involving a former golf course and remediation of contaminated soil.
So, Chase Stadium became the "temporary" solution. But here’s the thing—it’s been the home for five years. It’s where the club won its first trophy (the Leagues Cup). It’s where the most iconic moments in MLS history have happened. For a whole generation of fans, this is the home of the club.
Technical Specs of the Pitch
The grass is Tifway 419 Bermuda grass. It’s kept in pristine condition because, well, the greatest players in the world are running on it. The pitch dimensions are a standard 115 by 75 yards. Because of the South Florida climate, the drainage system is top-tier. It can dump three inches of rain in an hour, and thirty minutes later, the ball will still roll true.
The Future: What Happens When Freedom Park Opens?
Eventually, Inter Miami will move south to the $1 billion Miami Freedom Park. So, does Chase Stadium just get torn down?
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Actually, no.
The plan is for Chase Stadium to remain the permanent home of Inter Miami II (the MLS Next Pro team) and the club’s massive youth academy. The training facility—the Florida Blue Training Center—is right next door. It’s a 50,000-square-foot masterpiece with six natural grass pitches and one turf pitch. The club has invested too much in the infrastructure here to just walk away. It will likely become the premier scouting and development hub for soccer in North America.
Practical Actionable Insights for Visitors
If you are planning a trip to Chase Stadium, don't just wing it. You will regret it.
- Download the App: You need the Inter Miami app for everything. Tickets are 100% digital. Parking passes are digital. Even some food vendors prefer the app.
- The Weather Warning: Florida storms are no joke. If there is lightning within an eight-mile radius, play is suspended. This happens a lot. Bring a poncho (umbrellas aren't allowed) and be prepared to wait under the concourse for an hour.
- Arrive Early for the Bus: If you want to see the players arrive, head to the northwest corner of the stadium about two hours before kickoff. The team bus pull-up is a spectacle.
- Merchandise: The team store at the stadium is great but gets crowded. If you want a jersey, buy it online beforehand or hit a local retailer. The lines on match day are brutal.
- Seating Strategy: If it's a 7:30 PM kickoff, the sun will be setting behind the West Stand. If you sit in the East Stand, you’ll be staring directly into the sun for the first 20 minutes. Wear shades.
Chase Stadium might not have the glitz of a European mega-stadium, but it has soul. It’s a place built on a deadline that somehow became the center of the sporting world. It's loud, it's pink, and it's exactly where soccer in America finally grew up.
Whether you’re there for the tactical masterclass of Tata Martino or just to catch a glimpse of the number 10, the experience is visceral. It’s a temporary home that feels remarkably permanent. Just make sure you book your parking in advance. Seriously. Don't say I didn't warn you.
To get the most out of your visit, check the official Inter Miami schedule at least three weeks out, as game times often shift for international broadcast windows. If you can't find tickets through the primary box office, use reputable secondary markets like Ticketmaster or SeatGeek, but expect to pay a significant markup for high-profile matches. For those looking to avoid the crowds, attending an Inter Miami II match at the same venue offers a similar feel for a fraction of the price and much easier access to the training complex views.