This year’s edition of the Miami Open tennis tournament at Hard Rock Stadium will feature elite wheelchair tennis and Major League Pickleball (MLP) events for the first time, while fans will also be able to sample an upgraded food and beverage offering.
It will mark the first time that an elite wheelchair event and MLP event has taken place at a 1000 series tournament. The Miami Open forms part of the ATP and WTA tours and is scheduled to take place from March 17-31.
The wheelchair tennis event will take place from March 26-28, with the MLP event to run from March 27-29. The latter will feature a pro-am and two-day tournament starring 16 of the world’s best players.
Japan’s Shingo Kunieda, a four-time Paralympic gold medalist and winner of 28 major singles titles, will serve as the tournament director for the wheelchair tennis event.
Miami Open director James Blake said: “We are delighted to welcome both wheelchair tennis players and MLP stars to this year’s Miami Open presented by Itaú. We want to continue to build on the festival atmosphere that is now so synonymous with the Open and we are proud to be the first 1000 series event to showcase elite wheelchair tennis and pickleball athletes to our fans.”
Organisers have also detailed plans to welcome more than 30 of Miami’s leading restaurants and bars to this year’s event.
Fans will have access to pop-up stores from David Chang’s Fuku Chicken, Cheeseburger Baby, Ella’s Oyster Bar, Sushi Maki, Kiki on the River, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, and The Grove.
Inside the stadium, fans will have the chance to experience the Milos seafood restaurant, which will be a bookable dining option during the Miami Open. Refreshments will also be available from the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Garden, the Dobel Tequila Bar, the Botran Rum Lounge, Santa Margherita and No.3 Gin Lounge.
Chris Clements, senior vice-president and chief financial officer of Hard Rock Stadium, added: “The fan experience is paramount to everything we do at Hard Rock Stadium, and we are excited to build on the already extensive variety of culinary offerings and add to the action at this year’s Miami Open presented by Itaú.
“We pride ourselves on delivering the most culturally immersive tennis tournament with elite on-court action and best-in-class food and beverage. This year with an action-packed line up of international tennis, elite wheelchair tennis and MLP, we look forward to offering fans the best tournament to date.”
Hard Rock Stadium, which primarily serves as the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, has hosted the Miami Open since 2019. It has also hosted Formula 1’s Miami Grand Prix since 2022.
