Drive less. Celebrate more: Miami-Dade Transit ridership surges during Inter Miami CF inaugural home game at Nu Stadium

Ridership on Miami-Dade County’s public transportation system surged on Saturday, April 4, as over 2,000   fans chose to take Metrorail and Metrobus to attend Inter Miami CF’s inaugural game at Miami Freedom Park’s Nu Stadium.  As the closest public transportation hub to the stadium, the Miami International Airport Station experienced a same-day Metrorail ridership increase of more than 150% compared to last year and more than 170% versus the April 2025 daily average. With fans riding in from across the county, the impact was felt systemwide, with overall Metrorail ridership increasing by more than 16% compared to the April 2025 average. 

“The excitement surrounding Inter Miami’s first real home game brought incredible energy to our community, and it’s great to see so many residents and visitors choosing public transit as part of that celebration,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Moments like this highlight the vital role Miami-Dade County’s public transportation system – the 10^th largest in the country – plays in connecting people to major events and to each other, and how investments in transit infrastructure that is safe and reliable ensure we get to live, work, and play together as our community continues to grow. By reducing congestion on our roadways and easing the stress of travel to and from the stadium, transit helped create a smoother, more enjoyable experience for fans, allowing everyone to focus on the excitement of the game and the spirit of our community.” 

Metrobus routes serving the area also saw increased ridership. Route 37 saw about a 10% increase compared to the year prior, serving as a key connection for fans heading to Saturday’s inaugural game. Route 150 from Miami Beach to MIA also saw a slight uptick. 

“Moving people safely and efficiently throughout Miami-Dade County is what our team does 365 days a year. Saturday night was a great reminder of just how ready our system is,” said Stacy L. Miller, P.E., Director, Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works. “What excites me most isn't just the ridership spike; it's the thousands of first-time riders who experienced our system and discovered how it can work for them. We look forward to seeing them on our system again – and not just on game days!”  

Inter Miami CF is also encouraging fans to take public transportation, offering a $10 food and beverage credit for those who do. With seventeen events already scheduled at the stadium in the coming months, ridership is expected to remain strong. Inter Miami’s next home game is this Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. 

Metrorail will be running trains to Miami International Airport Station approximately every 15 minutes on game days, with the last Orange Line trains departing MIA at midnight. For those not going to the game but traveling to and from Miami International Airport, Metrorail allows for a smooth, seamless ride to the airport that bypasses all of the game day traffic in the area. Rides on both Metrorail and Metrobus are only $2.25 per person per ride, or $5.65 per person for a 1-Day pass.  

Click here for more information on taking Miami-Dade Transit to Miami Freedom Park. 

*Note: Ridership data has not been certified as final and may be revised by the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works as validation, reconciliation, and quality-assurance procedures are completed. Final figures may differ once all reporting sources have been fully received, reviewed, and confirmed. This data can be used as indicative of the trend for ridership on Saturday, April 4, 2026 (Nu Stadium's opening day).