MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The excitement for the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday is palpable as the Miami Hurricanes prepare to take the field against Indiana. However, fans looking to partake in the tailgating experience at Hard Rock Stadium without tickets may face significant challenges.
Hosting the title game in their home stadium, local fans are eager to show their support and celebrate with fellow Hurricanes supporters. “It’s just so much fun to be with other Canes fans. And we just know how to bring a party,” shared Corrinne Ku, a lifelong Hurricanes devotee from Lake Worth. “I looked at the ticket prices initially, and they were just bananas.”
As of Thursday, resale ticket prices on platforms like SeatGeek were starting at around $3,000, prompting many fans to reconsider their options. “So the second thought was, ‘Well, maybe let’s go tailgate and see if maybe I can buy a ticket or get lucky,” Ku remarked. However, confusion looms over the tailgating policies, particularly regarding the status of fans without tickets.
In a public announcement issued on Wednesday, the College Football Playoff outlined strict parking regulations for the championship event. The statement emphasized that individuals without game tickets who remain in the parking lots after kickoff will be asked to leave by local law enforcement. Furthermore, ticketholders should be prepared for an enhanced security perimeter, which includes multiple ticket checkpoints as they approach the stadium.
Fans will need their game tickets scanned while moving from designated outer lots to the inner lots, making it essential to have a valid ticket in order to navigate between these areas before the game starts. Unfortunately, all parking options have sold out, leading organizers to suggest carpooling and utilizing ride-sharing services for transportation to the event.
For those still seeking parking solutions, passes for satellite lots remain available on resale websites, with prices starting at nearly $200. Despite the hurdles, Ku ultimately opted for a quieter option: “The last three games in the playoffs I’ve been home with this (baseball) jersey on, so I don’t want to jinx it.”
With the College Football Playoff National Championship anticipated to be an electrifying event, fans will undoubtedly find ways to support their team, whether in the stadium or from the comfort of their homes.