Inter Miami CF Stadium
Interim home of Inter Miami CF, later a permanent training base.
Cuban Boy · via Wikipedia: Inter Miami CF Stadium · CC0
Inter Miami CF Stadium, a soccer-specific venue in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, seats 21,550 and was built where Lockhart Stadium once stood. It opened in 2020 as a temporary home for Inter Miami CF, serving the team until Nu Stadium is finished in 2026, and also functions as the main base for the club and its youth academy.
The original Lockhart Stadium fell into disrepair after the Fort Lauderdale Strikers left in 2016. In January 2019, Inter Miami CF, an MLS expansion team, sought the site for training facilities and a USL League One side. The Fort Lauderdale city council approved the bid in March 2019, and demolition began the following April. A 50-year lease was approved in July 2019, with the city retaining ownership and Inter Miami handling construction and maintenance. The stadium was always intended as an interim venue until a permanent stadium in Miami was built, a condition of the franchise.
Inter Miami’s first home match was scheduled for March 14, 2020, against the LA Galaxy, but the COVID-19 pandemic paused the season. Instead, Fort Lauderdale CF played the stadium’s first match, losing 0–2 to Greenville Triumph SC. Inter Miami finally played there on August 22, 2020, beating Orlando City SC 3–2. In April 2021, a naming rights deal with AutoNation rebranded the venue as DRV PNK Stadium, linking to the retailer’s breast cancer awareness campaign and Inter Miami’s pink kit. On February 20, 2024, a new naming rights agreement with JPMorgan Chase renamed it Chase Stadium. After the 2025 season, with the team moving to Nu Stadium, the name reverted to Inter Miami CF Stadium.
Following Lionel Messi’s June 2023 announcement of his move to Inter Miami, managing owner Jorge Mas said the stadium’s corners would be filled with 3,000 to 3,200 extra seats to meet demand. These bleachers came from the Miami International Autodrome. The Fort Lauderdale city government initially halted work on June 21, 2023, citing unpermitted installations, but the club said no work had started. A quick agreement resolved the permitting dispute and outstanding payments for a temporary parking lot. The 3,000 new seats were ready by Messi’s unveiling on July 16, along with added security. The press box grew from 37 to 52 seats, with an adjustable auxiliary area.
- Location
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
- Capacity
- 21,550 seats
- Opened
- 2020
- Primary tenant
- Inter Miami CF II (MLS Next Pro)
- Former names
- DRV PNK Stadium (2021–2024), Chase Stadium (2024–2025)
- Notable event
- Hosted MLS Cup 2025 (Inter Miami CF 3–1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Lore & Background
The stadium was built after the Fort Lauderdale Strikers vacated Lockhart Stadium in 2016, leaving the site in disrepair. In January 2019, Inter Miami CF announced plans to pursue the site for training grounds and a USL League One team. The Fort Lauderdale city council approved the bid in March 2019, and demolition began that April. A 50-year lease was approved in July 2019, with the city retaining ownership and Inter Miami responsible for construction and maintenance.
The stadium opened in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first match was played by Fort Lauderdale CF (a 0–2 loss to Greenville Triumph SC). Inter Miami CF played its first home match on August 22, 2020, defeating Orlando City SC 3–2. In 2021, the stadium was renamed DRV PNK Stadium under a naming rights deal with AutoNation, and in 2024 it became Chase Stadium after a deal with JPMorgan Chase. After the 2025 season, the name reverted to Inter Miami CF Stadium.
Following Lionel Messi's announcement of his move to Inter Miami in June 2023, the stadium underwent expansions, adding 3,000 seats using bleachers from the Miami International Autodrome, and later a second expansion in January 2024 brought capacity to 21,550. The stadium also hosted CF Montréal's home matches during the 2021 MLS season due to travel restrictions.
Reader's Guide
Inter Miami CF Stadium served as a crucial interim venue for Inter Miami CF during the club's early years, bridging the gap until the completion of Nu Stadium in Miami. Its construction revitalized the Lockhart Stadium site, providing a modern training and match facility for the first team, youth academy, and MLS Next Pro side. The stadium gained international attention in 2023 when Lionel Messi joined the club, prompting rapid expansions to accommodate surging demand. It also hosted MLS Cup 2025, where Inter Miami CF won its first MLS Cup title, marking a historic moment for the franchise. Beyond soccer, the stadium has been used for American football, including the Miami Hurricanes spring game and high school state championships, and in 2023 was announced as the venue for the inaugural Florida Beach Bowl college football bowl game. Its naming rights deals with AutoNation and JPMorgan Chase reflect its commercial viability, while its location near Interstate 95 and partnerships with Brightline for fan shuttles highlight efforts to improve accessibility. The stadium's legacy is as a temporary but impactful home that enabled Inter Miami CF to establish itself before its permanent move.
Did You Know?
- The stadium was built on the site of the former Lockhart Stadium, which fell into disrepair after the Fort Lauderdale Strikers moved out in 2016.
- During the 2021 MLS season, CF Montréal used the stadium for home matches due to travel restrictions.
- The stadium's first expansion added 3,000 seats using bleacher seating from the Miami International Autodrome, the temporary Formula One circuit at Hard Rock Stadium.
- Inter Miami CF Stadium hosted MLS Cup 2025, where Inter Miami CF defeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3–1 to win their first MLS Cup title.
More in Stadiums & Venues
Elsewhere in Inter Miami
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced