2022 Miami Dolphins The Hottest Ticket In Town

Dolphins fans expect big things out of their high-flying offense this year. Proof? Season tickets are already sold out, and single-game seats are going fast. Miami Dolphins games are the hottest ticket in town.

A perfect season would allow fans to place a wager on their favorite NFL team. Unfortunately, after it launched last year, sports betting in Florida abruptly stopped after lawsuits were filed. The outcome is not expected to happen before the end of the 2022 season

For fans making a trip to South Florida to cheer on the ‘Fins in person, here are a few things to help make your Dolphins game day experience one to remember.

Getting to the game

Hard Rock Stadium is in Miami Gardens, a suburb of Miami, 15 miles north of the city. That’s not very far, but traffic in the greater-Miami area can be a hassle, so keep that in mind when booking accommodations.

Fans coming from out of town will probably fly into Miami International Airport. It’s one of the largest airports in the country. Flights are reasonable, but the overall airport experience can be quite hectic. 

If you live in the Northeast or anywhere along the Eastern Seaboard, you could also take the Amtrak. The Silver Star and the Silver Meteor both end in Miami. 

Once in South Florida, there are a couple of public transport options. Fans staying in Miami Gardens can access a free trolley to get them to the game. It picks up every 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

Miami-Dade Transit bus route 99 also runs through Miami Gardens. Stops are usually on time.

For most fans staying in the greater Miami area, the best bet is rideshare (Uber, Lyft), taxi, carpool or car rental. Sadly, public transport to and from the stadium is just not very robust or expansive. I-75 and I-95 both run north-south through South Florida. I-95 runs alongside the stadium.

For ease of access, stay in Miami Gardens or Hollywood

Yes, Miami has a ton to offer, but getting from Miami proper to Hard Rock Stadium can be more of a pain than it’s worth. And it is costly considering lodging and rideshare fees.

There are a decent amount of lodgings in Miami Gardens for all budgets. Here are three. Book fast because, like game tickets, rooms are selling out.

• Stadium Hotel (closest to Hard Rock Stadium, surprisingly affordable, but act fast)
• Rodeway Inn (I-95 and Florida Turnpike; budget)
• Miami Garden Inn and Suites (I-95 and Florida Turnpike; budget)

Hollywood, 10 miles northeast of the stadium, has plenty of options for fans who can’t find lodging in the immediate vicinity. Getting to the game from that direction is much easier than coming up from the south.

Miami Dolphins 2022 home schedule

All seats are good, but try to stay out of the sun

Since the renovation, the Hard Rock Stadium’s layout makes for great viewing experiences at every level and angle. One thing most fans will tell you, though, is that the sun will wear you out. If you want to avoid sun exposure stay away from seats on the east and northeast sides of the stadium. 

For the money, the upper levels between the 40s and in the first 10 rows are some of the best seats in the stadium. They’ll run you about $250. The overhang provides shelter from the sun while still picking up the sea breeze. If you’re from the Northeast, it might sound crazy to choose a seat because of the breeze, but that’s football in South Florida. The heat is also your opponent.

Like tickets, parking is going fast

Parking at Hard Rock Stadium needs to be purchased in advance. Almost all parking tickets available through the official team website are sold out. Use Vividseats to score parking tickets, but don’t expect them to come cheap. 

The Yellow outer lots start at $60 and run upwards of $160 depending on the row. The blue, orange and maroon inner lots run from $170 to $300, and the black preferred parking will set you back about $400. 

Hard Rock Stadium has ADA-approved inner lots, which are also sold out. There are ADA spaces in the outer yellow and gray lots on a first-come, first-serve basis. A shuttle is provided. Otherwise, it’s a 15- to 20-minute walk to the stadium from the outer lots. 

RV parking is allowed in the southwest yellow lot for $120, but overnight parking is not allowed. 

There is also the SunPass for fans attending more than one game. This offers a discount and is worth exploring. 

Information on parking on the Hard Rock Stadium website is frustratingly limited, but third-party sites and Reddit users both indicate that gates open four hours before game time. 

Tailgating with a distinctly Latin flair

If only to try the Cubano sandwiches and yucca frita, you should make tailgating a part of your game day experience. It’s available in almost all areas except the gray lots, and you can start making the rounds four hours before game time

Tailgating Miami-style is a little different than other NFL venues. First of all, it’s hot for most of the season and it rains a lot. Bring both an E-Z UP and a poncho along with your roller cooler full of food and beverages. There is a definite Cuban flair to the food and the music. If you bring some food and beers to share, you’ll have no problem getting adopted into any tailgate on the property.

For families, be sure to visit Don Shula Plaza. This is one of two pre-game areas with games and events that kids will enjoy. The official Dolphins tailgate at AT&T Grand Plaza features cheerleaders, live music, mascots and Dolphins alums. It’s the spot for commemorative photos. It’s also where you’ll find shops to buy Dolphins gear. 

Keep in mind that some of the more mature elements of Miami culture are also represented at the tailgate. Pole dancing and exotic dancers passing out fliers are not uncommon in the more high-energy tailgates. 

All in all though, if you can handle the sun and the asphalt, tailgating a Dolphins game is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Final takeaways

• Plan for the weather, particularly heat and rain
• Tickets and parking are going fast, so make moves now
  
• If you represent the away team, don’t worry. Sometimes, out-of-towners (especially Ravens fans) outnumber ‘Fins fans.