American Airlines Arena (Miami, Florida)

The American Airlines Arena is a sports and entertainment arena located in Downtown Miami, Florida along Biscayne Bay. It was constructed beginning in 1998 as a replacement for the Miami Arena and designed by the architecture firms Arquitectonica and 360 Architecture. The Arena is home to the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association.

The American Airlines Arena is directly served by the Miami Metrorail at Government Center station via free transfers to Metromover Omni Loop, providing direct service to Freedom Tower and Park West stations. The Arena is also within walking distance from the Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre Metrorail station.

General information

Official website: https://www.aaarena.com/

Arena capacity: 19,600 spectators

Address: 601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132, USA

GPS coordinates for the navigator: https://www.aaarena.com/

Year of construction: December 31, 1999

Construction cost: $320 million

Field: Multi-surface lawn

Seating plan of the American Airlines Arena

AA Lounge & Floor

Flagship and Floor seats at a Heat game offer some of the best views and amenities at AmericanAirlines Arena. Each seat is within the first ten rows of the lower level and comes with in-seat food and beverage service, access to the Dewars Clubhouse, Grey Goose Lounge, and the AmericanAirlines Lounge with a full bar and private restrooms.

Dewar’s Rail

Rail seats on the suite level at American Airlines Arena are located along a granite countertop with views of the court. Fans are treated to a buffet-style meal, including dessert, beer, wine and soft drinks.

Recommended Seats for Kids and Family

Sections 303 and 304:

• Only two rows of seating so kids won’t have to look over other fans;
• Close to family restroom in Section 306;
• Concession stand with hot dogs in section 304.

Recommended Seats for Impressing a Guest

Flagship North:

• In between the player tunnels;
• Mere feet away from the players as they check-in to the game;
• Access to all Arena Lounges;
• In-seat food and beverage service.

Recommended Seats for Great Views of the Court

Sections 118 and 119:

• Great views of the entire court between the free throw lines;
• Close to concourse entrance so shorter trips to food and restrooms;
• Less expensive than Flagship seating in front of you;
• Great views of the player benches.

Sections 324 and 325:

• Best views of the court from the upper level;
• Great view of the overhead scoreboard;
• Opposite the player benches.

Where to buy tickets?

Tickets for AmericanAirlines Arena’s world-class events can be purchased online, by phone, or at the *AmericanAirlines Arena Ticket Office. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone through Ticketmaster.

Purchasing Tickets at the Arena

Visit our on-site *Ticket Office Window, located on the north side of the Arena near Gate 3. Ticket Office hours are Monday – Friday, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Hours may be extended on event days.

Will Call Information

Tickets purchased in advance can be left at the Will Call Window, located on the north side of the Arena next to Gate 3. You must have a valid photo ID to receive your tickets.

Dewar’s Rail Seating

Dewar’s Rail tickets will be made available to the general public 21 days before each home game. Click here for available dates and times.

Paperless Ticket

Paperless ticketing ensures that only fans can purchase tickets and attend the event. Paperless tickets have been used successfully at many large events & customers comment that this process was very easy.

When you arrive at the venue, just go directly to the gate, present the credit card used to purchase the tickets and government issued ID. Virtual credit cards will not work, since you will need to present your physical credit card at the time of entry. The gate attendant will swipe the credit card and since all the seats are assigned to a single credit card, your entire party must enter the venue at the same time.

Once your credit card is scanned & validated, a seat locator slip will be printed for each seat in your order. The seat locator slip you receive at the initial entry to the venue comes with a barcode for each seat. This barcode can then be scanned at any other access control points inside the venue, such as a suite, club seating section or by another usher who needs to re-scan tickets.

No gift cards will be accepted as a method of payment for a Paperless event. This includes Ticketmaster gift cards and any variation of Visa, MasterCard or American Express gift cards. Ticketmaster reserves the right to cancel any orders made with any of these gift cards. If you bought the tickets for a friend or family member, you will need to take them to the entry gate and still present your credit card and government issued ID.

To ensure that the tickets remain in the hands of the fan, paperless ticketing requires that that cardholder who purchased the tickets presents their credit card at the door for admission. We would advise you to have the person, who will be attending the show, purchase the tickets themselves with their credit card and then you can reimburse them.

Going to a Miami Heat game isn’t exactly cheap, as the law of supply and demand makes the team’s tickets among some of the most expensive in South Florida sports. However, the show you get on the court is usually among the best in sports in South Florida as well. If you are a big sports fan or an NBA junkie, you have to make a trip to AmericanAirlines Arena, as it is definitely a must-see in the sports world.

How to get there?

Getting to the AmericanAirlines Arena by public transportation is easy. The MetroRail, MetroMover and MetroBus are just a short walk from the Arena entrance.

Closures

I-95

Monday, March 4 through Thursday, March 7 – Two lanes on northbound I-95 from NW 17 Street to NW 30 Street will be closed between the hours of 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. to allow the contractor to work in the median.

SR 836

Sunday, March 3 through Thursday, March 7 – One lane on westbound SR 836 from NW 7 Avenue to NW 14 Avenue will be closed between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

Parking

With the ongoing growth and development of downtown Miami, fewer parking options in the immediate area surrounding AmericanAirlines Arena will be available to arena guests. A number of parking lots located directly adjacent to the facility have been permanently eliminated. Patrons are strongly advised to consider alternative parking options, which include a variety of lots offering a flat rate and within a convenient walking distance of the Arena.

Routes to Americanairlines Arena

Traveling by Metrorail/Metromover:

• Take the MetroRail to Government Center Station;
• Transfer to MetroMover’s Omni Loop;
• Disembark at Park West Station;
• Walk East to Biscayne Boulevard;
• Cross intersection of Biscayne Blvd. and Port Blvd. to the Arena.

MetroRail Hours of Operation

The cost is $2.25 to ride the MetroRail. Trains run from 5:00 AM to midnight, seven days a week. Trains arrive frequently. Service may be extended to 1:00 AM after special events at AmericanAirlines Arena. See below schedule.

MetroMover Hours of Operation

Everyone rides free on the Metromover. Start your trip from any station. Look for the Metromover map at street level or near the entrance to each station. MetroMover trains run from 5:00 AM to midnight, seven days a week with trains arriving frequently. The schedule may be extended for special events.

MetroBus Routes and Schedules that pass by AmericanAirlines Arena:

• Route 3: Click here for map and schedule;
• 103 Route C: Click here for map and schedule;
• 119 Route S: Click here for map and schedule;
• Route 93: Click here for map and schedule.

Uber

Getting to the area is easier than ever before! Uber is the Official Rideshare Partner of AmericanAirlines Arena. Take an Uber to the arena and get dropped off at Gate 6, where you’ll receive preferred entry when you show your Uber receipt. No more waiting in the main lines.

Brightline

Start the party sooner on Brightline’s express train. Experience carefree, car-free travel on your way to and from the AmericanAirlines Arena.

1. Hop on at the Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach Brightline station
2. Arrive in MiamiCentral, which is just a 9-minute walk away from the arena
3. Head east on NW 6th St.
4. Turn left onto Biscayne Blvd towards the arena

(The MiamiCentral Brightline station is located at 600 NW 1st Ave.)

Book your ride now at www.gobrightline.com.

Pedestrians

We encourage all AmericanAirlines Arena visitors to cross Biscayne Boulevard at NE 8th Street, NE 6th Street, or NE 5th Street, where intersections are controlled by traffic signals and police supervision*.

*Please note that police supervision is for events only.

Drop-Off Locations

Bus Drop-Off: Gate 3 on NE 8th Street on the north side of the Arena, next to the Arena box office windows.

Taxi/Limo Drop-Off: Gate 3 on NE 8th Street on the north side of the Arena, next to the Arena box office windows.

Disabled drop-off:

Primary Location: Gate 3 on NE 8th Street on the north side of the Arena, next to the Arena box office windows. Elevators 1 and 2 located inside Gate 3 will take visitors to all seating levels. Every Arena entrance is accessible to disabled guests.

Secondary Location: Gate 4 on NE 8th Street on the north side of the Arena, next to the Arena valet parking services. Elevators 3 and 4 located inside Gate 4 will take visitors to all seating levels

Gates by Seating Location

1. Gate 1 – Closest to seating sections 119-124. Gate 1 is located on the west side of the Arena, toward the south end. Access this gate by the ramp and stairs on the west side of the building. Escalators to seating on the 100-level are just inside the door.
2. Gate 2 – Closest to seating sections 101-106. Gate 2 is located on the west side of the Arena, toward the north end. Access this gate by the ramp and stairs on the west side of the building, or the stairs on the northwest corner of the building. Escalators to seating on the 100-level are just inside the door.
• Find the best odds for sports betting.
3. Gate 3 – For premium and disabled guests only. Gate 3 is located on the north side of the Arena, toward the west end. This gate is on the ground level and is accessible directly from NE 8th Street. Elevators 1 and 2 located inside will take you to all seating levels.
4. Gate 4 – For VIP and disabled guests only. Gate 4 is located on the north side of the Arena, toward the center of the building. This gate is on the ground level and is accessible directly from NE 8th Street. Elevators 3 and 4 located inside will take you to all seating levels.
• New predictions for soccer, tennis, hockey, basketball, etc. are created every hour.
5. Gate 5 – Closest to seating sections 107-112. Gate 5 is located on the north side of the Arena, right above Gate 4. Access this gate by the stairs on the north side of the building. An additional set of stairs to the 100-level is just inside the gate.
6. Gate 6 – Closest to seating sections 113-118. Gate 6 is located on the south side of the Arena, toward the east end. Access this gate by the stairs on the southeast and/or southwest corner of the building. Upon entering the gate, you will be on the 100-level.
• Take a look at the freebets offered by the bookmaker.

Preferred Hotels

Make your AmericanAirlines Arena experience a night to remember by staying in these nearby World Class Hotels.

Me Miami

1100 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33132

Introducing ME Miami. More than a place to stay. A place to be.

Enjoy up to 20% off the best available rate when you stay at ME Miami, steps away from the AmericanAirlines Arena.

ME Miami offers 129 amenity-rich rooms including 21 spectacular suites featuring gorgeous views of Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay.

• Save up to 20% off our best available bet;
• Complimentary welcome drink upon check in;
• Enjoy free breakfast (valid on premium room categories).

Kimpton Epic Hotel

270 Biscayne Boulevard Way
Miami, Florida 33131

Enjoy 20% off the best available rate when you stay at the luxurious EPIC Hotel, located waterfront in Downtown Miami within walking distance of the American Airlines Arena. The hotel, which is highly rated on Trip Advisor, offers extraordinary views from each guestroom’s private balcony, indoor and outdoor dining in Area 31, spacious 16th floor rooftop pool deck and renown mind body spa, Exhale.

• 20% off our best available bet;
• 20% off Exhale Spa Services;
• Nightly hosted wine hour in the living room from 5pm-6pm.

Intercontinental Miami

100 Chopin Plaza
Miami, Florida 33131

Savor the best of this colorful city by staying at the InterContinental Miami, located just blocks from AmericanAirlines Arena and boasting 641 luxurious guest rooms and suites. In addition, discover a new benchmark for luxury, relaxation, and service at mySpa. Offering world-class spa treatments, cutting-edge fitness equipment, and personalized attention, we have created an incomparable Miami spa retreat.

Present your American Airlines Arena ticket stub pre- or post- show/event/game to receive your first drink of house spirits, wine or beer on us. This is only valid at Toro Toro.

SLS Hotel

1701 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33139

Stay at the all-new SLS Hotel South Beach and receive 20% off your room rate and two cocktails at Hyde Beach per stay. Located in the heart of South Beach, SLS Hotel offers a heightened guest experience with its immaculate service, impeccable design, varied dining options and luxurious atmosphere.

Designed by the imaginative, Philippe Starck, guest rooms offer sleek yet luxurious comforts in an artistic setting. Dining and nightlife options include The Bazaar by James Beard award-winning chef, José Andrés, Katsuya by Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi and Hyde Beach, a playful indoor/outdoor space located oceanside.

Where to eat?

If you want the true flavor of Miami, AmericanAirlines Arena has it. Mixed in with the traditional burger, fries, hot dogs, and pizza is a wonderful amalgam of Latin fixtures and international specialties. Suite-level boxes showcase freshly-made paella. Concession stands in general admission areas offer Cuban sandwiches alongside pork sliders and fruit juice mixes to drink.

Prices are reasonable for a sports venue, with a meal and a drink ranging around $10-$15 per person. In addition, there are Kosher offerings for Jewish fans, both on game nights and during concerts and special events at the arena – the team and arena’s social media pages will show you what special offerings are available each night at different locations.

Atmosphere

AmericanAirlines Arena really captures the Miami feel. From the fresh beats of local DJs (including frequent appearances by DJ Irie) spinning up great music to get excited about, to the what some feel is the best announcer in the NBA in Michael Biamonte, the fans “Staaaaaaaand up” and “Make some nooooooise” for their Miami Heat. During player intros, giant flame throwers light up the darkness as the starters are announced, and a well-edited hype video plays to get everyone ready for the game.

The Miami Heat dance team, voted four times as the NBA’s best, are also entertaining with their performances. In addition, the Golden Oldies (think Heat dancers, but with senior citizens) are always one of the biggest attractions for fans, drawing oohs and ahhs with plenty of laughs as well.

The fans get the chants going, especially during close games or exciting runs in the middle of games. The décor is a mix of unfinished and exposed concrete, as well as artistic expression for flair. It seems like the place isn’t quite done evolving, much like the city of Miami feels on a constant basis.

Neighborhood

AmericanAirlines Arena is in the heart of downtown Miami, located right on the water’s edge of Biscayne Bay, literally across the street from Bayside shopping market. Here, fans can find a great array of shopping and dining options that are great both before the game and late into the night afterwards.

The downtown financial district is a five-minute walk away, featuring the likes of The Capital Grille, and South Beach is just a causeway’s drive across the bay from the arena, where you can find everything from clubs, resort destinations, and the famous art-deco district. However, the downsides are evident outside.

Miami’s sidewalks aren’t exactly pristine and clean, and the city’s skid row exists right outside AmericanAirlines Arena, along one of the streets most fans walk through on their way out of the game to the parking lots located nearby. However, immediately next door to the venue is the recently completed Museum Park, where both an art and a science museum reside, as well as a large green space for locals to come relax.

Finding somewhere to stay near AmericanAirlines Arena isn’t hard, as there are various hotels located around the arena and within driving distance. Also, there are lots of high-end resorts nearby at South Beach, and the Intercontinental also serves as a high-end option right in downtown. There is also a Holiday Inn steps away from the venue, on the other side of Biscayne Boulevard.

Fans

Miami Heat fans are loud, opinionated, and represent Miami in every way. They love their hometown heroes and big stars alike. They make it known when they’re not happy at the ref’s call, and they know how to party when a big shot goes in. Yet despite their wild and crazy ways, the games always feel family-friendly. There are signs all around the arena, as well as loudspeaker announcements notifying fans to report unruly behavior anonymously. This gives attendees a sense of safety for their young ones who have come to watch the Heat play.

Access

Access is where the Miami Heat suffer their biggest setback. Getting to AmericanAirlines Arena is not inherently difficult – whether coming down I-95 from the north or on the 836 from elsewhere, downtown Miami is hard to miss. Figuring out where to get off, however, is not easy. The main exit on the 836 heading east that leads to the arena is on the left side of the highway, a rarity in South Florida.

As such, and adding in the massive lack of signage for fans to follow, some (like myself) may find themselves taking the tunnel to PortMiami, only to have to turn around and take the tunnel back out, and exit near the Arscht Center opera and ballet house, or cross back over the bridge from the port, which exits next to AmericanAirlines Arena.

Parking is rough when attending a Miami Heat game, as most open spaces downtown will cost you at least $20-$50, depending on how close you park. You may be able to snag a spot for $20 one block from the main entrance, or it may cost you way more, depending on supply and demand.

If you live to the south or north, you can take the Metrorail to the Metromover, which will drop you off mere blocks from AmericanAirlines Arena. Alternatively, if you want to skip the bus ride, park and ride lots make it easy to go right to the metro rail on the south end at Dadeland Station.

History

The American Airlines Arena opened on December 31, 1999 and its construction cost was $213 million. Architectural design team members included George Heinlein, Cristian Petschen, Reinaldo Borges, and Lance Simon. The American Airlines Arena was inaugurated with a concert by Gloria Estefan. Two days later, the Miami Heat played its first game in the new arena by defeating the Orlando Magic 111–103.

As part of its sponsorship arrangement, American Airlines had a giant aircraft painted atop the arena’s roof, with an American Airlines logo in the center. The design is visible from airplanes taking off and landing at Miami International Airport, where American has a hub. The arena also has luxury skyboxes called “Flagship Lounges”, a trademark originally used for American’s premium-class lounges at certain airports.

Local sportscasters often refer to the arena as the “triple-A”. Some sports reporters on the local news stations such as WSVN have referred to the arena as “A3” (A cubed). The arena is known for its unusual scoreboard, designed by Artist Christopher Janney. Drawing on the underwater anemone forms, the scoreboard also changes colors depending on the atmosphere. For concerts in an arena configuration, end stage capacity is 12,202 for 180° shows, 15,402 for 270° shows, 18,309 for 360° shows. For center stage concerts the arena can seat 19,146.

WTVJ, the city’s NBC owned-and-operated station in Miami, had their Downtown Miami Studios in the back of the arena.

Despite American Airlines’ logo change, American Airlines Arena still uses the airline’s old logo.