In the past, Miami was known for its beaches, Cuban food, and sports teams. However, times have changed. This week’s announcement that Inter Miami CF will play its home matches at Freedom Park in 2026—a new stadium with a 25,000-person capacity—demonstrates how widely the world has embraced Miami soccer.
Miami Soccer on the Rise
Before David Beckham co-founded Inter Miami CF in 2018 and international soccer star Lionel Messi joined the team in 2023, few could have imagined filling so many seats for soccer matches in Miami. Today, when people hear the name Miami, they think about soccer as much as anything else. The team’s strong performance has matched the rising interest.
Huge success, in any endeavor, doesn’t happen overnight. Beckham and the rest of Inter Miami took significant risks and worked hard to get Miami soccer off the ground—where others had failed before. Reflecting on the past makes recent achievements all the more amazing.
Mixed History in Miami
Though the game has been played in South Florida recreationally since the mid-20th century, professional Miami soccer only gained a foothold during the 1970s with the Miami Toros. As successful as the Toros were, making it to the playoffs and winning championships, the team like the North American Soccer League (NASL’s) eventually failed.
Plenty of contributing reasons led to both the Toros and NSL’s demise. Overexpansion, financial mismanagement, quality and consistency of play, and even Television and media struggles. In addition, perceptions about soccer as a foreign sport vs. American sports like basketball, baseball and football contributed heavily.
In the end, Miami soccer at a professional level went north with the Toros renamed the Strikers and a move to Fort Lauderdale. The team would eventually fade away after the 1984 collapse of the NASL, raising its head there and there in different leagues, but never to rise to the same professional level.
Then, in 1998 professional Miami soccer resurfaced in the form of the Miami Fusion. Awarded Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team status in 1997, the team played its inaugural season in 1998. Miami may have been in the team’s name, but the club actually played out of Ft Lauderdale’s Lockhart Stadium some 30 miles away.
Miami Fusion had moderate success. The 2001 season, in particular, was one of the best. Led by stars like Carlos Valderrama, Preiki, and Diego Serna. Miami Fusion won the MLS Support’s Shield for the best regular season record, but didn’t make the 2001 MLS playoffs. Unfortunately, the team folded in 2002, cripled by financial losses and lack of corporate support.
When David Beckham exercised a clause in his contract with LA Galaxy in 2014, allowing him to purchase an MLS expansion team for a discounted fee after his playing career ended, the promise of professional Miami soccer returned. Beckham, however, faced a long path ahead before establishing a team.
Beckham Works Hard
From 2014, Beckham worked hard to bring investors onboard, achieve the necessary approvals, and worked around stadium issues, until the MLs officially awarded Miami an expansion team. The team was branded as Club Internacional de Futbol Miami, or Inter miami CF, reflecting Maimi’s international and diverse culture. Alongside Beckhham, co-owners Jorge Mas, Jose Mas, Marcelo Claure and Masayoshi Son also played their part in delivering a professional soccer team to Miami.
Still, many challenges lay ahead. The team needed a stadium to play. While there were plans to build a permanent home in Miami at Miami Freedom Park, the team would initially have to settle in Fort Lauderdale at DRV PNK Stadium – the renovated site of Lockhart Stadium, the former home of the Miami Fusion.
Inter Miami also struggled as their 2020 debut season was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, matches were postponed, and the team played many games without fans in the stadium. Plus, the team had on-field struggles, finishing 10th in the Easter Conference, only to narrowly make the playoff, where they were eliminated in the first round.
Recent Success
Past that difficult start, Inter Miami CF and Miami soccer as whole, have turned a corner. 2013 marked a major milestone, with Lionel Messi joining the team. Messi’s arrival brought global attention to the club, significantly boosting attendance, merchandise sales, and media coverage. Moreover, Messi helped lead the team to its first-ever major trophy, winning the Leagues Cup.
Inter Miami CF’s success has had a profound positive impact on soccer across Southern Florida. And its influence extends beyond just filling stadiums; it has fostered a vibrant soccer culture, igniting youth development programs and inspiring local players.
As Inter Miami CF’s success continues to elevate Miami soccer to new heights, there’s no better way to enjoy the excitement than with Total Snacks at your side. Whether you’re cheering for Messi’s game-winning goal or simply enjoying a day at the park, our delicious range of Dippin’ Dots and Doc Popcorn products are the perfect companions for every soccer match or celebration. Just like Miami’s rise in soccer, Total Snacks delivers unbeatable flavor and fun, making every moment unforgettable. Catch us at Chase Stadium for the next big game, or order online here to enjoy our treats anytime!
About Total Snacks
Total Snacks’ mission is to always provide the highest quality snack food for people to enjoy wherever and whenever. The business began in 2015 by entrepreneurs Eleazar López Contreras and Mabe León-Ponte, a husband and wife team, who immediately noticed a lack of high-quality snacking options around their new home in Miami, Florida. From its humble beginnings as a single retail kiosk, the couple has worked tirelessly and creatively to bring the best in class snack foods to the region.
Today, Total Snacks stands out as the premier provider of snack foods and catering in Miami. Its products can be found in over 300 independent outlets, and the company provides contract catering solutions to some of the largest sporting and entertainment venues in the area, while bringing smiles to thousands of people a year through its corporate and private catering activities. Despite its success, Total Snacks has never wavered from its core mission to offer the highest quality snack foods and the best customer service.
