Hard Rock Stadium

Miami, United States

Designing the home stadium of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins almost four decades ago, Populous built in some innovations that might not stand out so much today — but that’s only because these innovations were so successful, they have been adopted as a standard part of venue design ever since.

Conceived at a time when many U.S. stadiums were criticized because they didn’t have a tight enough focus on any specific function, Hard Rock Stadium was intended for multipurpose use from the outset, as the home of the Dolphins and, until 2011, the MLB’s Florida Marlins. Our team developed a system that allowed easy reconfiguration between football and baseball modes — a logistical solution that was unheard of at the time.  

The stadium’s biggest legacy is the invention of the concept of club seating, reflecting a shifting paradigm towards enhancing premium experiences for fans, and generating extra revenue streams for a venue’s occupants. Our approach, anticipating the sporting and business potential of the venue, showed a nuanced understanding of the wider role stadiums can play in the sports industry. Today, it’s unthinkable that planning for a new stadium would be approached in any other way. 

In 2006, we returned to the stadium to undertake a renovation. 

To date, the stadium has staged six Super Bowls, and is set to host multiple matches when the FIFA World Cup comes to North America in 2026, cementing its enduring legacy. 

Awards

• 1999 Night Beautiful Award | Florida Power & Light
• 1998 Facility of Merit | Athletic Business Magazine
• 1991 Bronze Award | IAKS