The first week of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has kicked off and South Florida has become a big watch party.
Two waterfront stages, two global stars, and thousands of fans—Miami kicked off the World Cup with back-to-back free concerts last week. Carlos Vives lit up Miami Beach last Thursday, and Pitbull brought the party to Bayfront Park on Saturday.
Fans waved flags, sang along to international hits, and watched matches together, turning the opening weekend of the tournament into more than just a sporting event.
City leaders said the turnout was massive, with thousands of people either inside the event or gathered around the downtown area. An estimated 30,000 fans are expected to visit the Fan Fest in its 23 days, with watch parties being hosted until July 5.
On South Beach, the celebration began early as fans gathered around 2 p.m. on opening match day, under the sun to watch Mexico face South Africa. The match ended in a 2–0 victory for Mexico.
Shortly afterwards, Colombian singer Carlos Vives took the stage, performing for a crowd filled with a sea of yellow Colombia jerseys. The venue was on 10th Street beach and had reached full capacity even before opening.
He played some of his most recognizable hits, including “La Bicicleta” and “Fruta Fresca,” both applauded by the audience. Almost 35 percent of Colombian immigrants in the U.S. reside in Florida, the highest concentration in the country.
For many, the experience went beyond the game itself.
“I grew up in a family that played, so I ended up picking up the sport,” said Calvin Illescas, 20, who is originally from Guatemala. “I don’t regret all the people I’ve met or how much I’ve grown because of the sport.”
Illescas said he came not just for the concert, but for the rare opportunity to meet people from around the world during the watch party. “You don’t get chances like this often,” he said. “Plus, the concert was free.”
The excitement wasn’t limited to South Beach. On Saturday, June 13, Bayfront Park hosted another major event featuring Miami native Pitbull. Earlier that day, fans watched Brazil take on Morocco in a match that ended in a 2–2 draw.
“My favorite part was meeting new people and learning new cultures, all thanks to footy,” said Ignacio Onofrio, an independent sports journalist and college student who attended Saturday’s Fan Fest.
While he was rooting for Morocco, he reflected on the intensity of international rivalries. Brazilians and Argentines get along, he said, but the soccer competition has passed down through generations.
“Argentina and Brazil are rivals–it’s a rivalry worth keeping alive,” Onofrio said. “It gives the game an extra touch, and the players feel it too.”
Pitbull took the stage later that evening, where he performed crowd favorites like “Give Me Everything” and “Fireball.”
City officials said attendance for both events reached into the thousands, and is expected to bring in over 600,000 visitors to Miami-Dade County.
“The Fan Festival is drawing visitors from around the world, supporting local businesses, and showcasing Miami on a global stage,” said City Commissioner Damian Pardo via Instagram.
“I’m especially proud that Bayfront Park, right here in District 2, is at the center of it all! Congratulations to all involved and the whole Bayfront Park Team on an outstanding kickoff event.”
The FIFA Fan Festival will be open until July 5. Located in Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., the 436,000-square-foot site is being called the city’s “second stadium,” a nickname earned by the watch parties being hosted.
