Welcome to a deep dive into Miami’s baseball pride: the Miami Marlins. From loanDepot park, their state-of-the-art home stadium located downtown, to their heated rivalries with teams like the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves, the Marlins bring excitement and intrigue to professional sports in South Florida.
We think that everyone should have the pleasure of experiencing MLB season in Miami. So whether you are a Miami native, future resident, or just visiting the city, check out these insights from our local experts on the best tips and tricks to make the most of the Marlins season in Miami.
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Get to know the Miami Marlins
Founded in 1993, the Miami Marlins have left an impressive mark on not only the state of Florida but on Major League Baseball. Originally known as the Florida Marlins, they played in the suburb of Miami Gardens. However, the team moved to the city and rebranded as the Miami Marlins in 2012, reflecting their deep roots in the city they call home.
The Marlins have come out on top in many tough games, including two World Series championships in 1997 and 2003, showcasing their ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most. They even clinched a spot in the playoffs in 2023, but unfortunately lost to the Philadelphia Phillies. Over the years, the Marlins have seen highs and lows, but have displayed a strength and toughness that keeps die-hard fans coming back for more.
The stadium: loanDepot park
LoanDepot park is where the action happens when it comes to Miami baseball games. Take a look below to see how to best enjoy it.
Enjoy the festivities at loanDepot park!
LoanDepot park serves as the Marlins’ home turf and is quite the stadium. It boasts a retractable roof and unique architectural design, making it a standout venue for both baseball purists and casual fans alike.
“After the Marlins made the playoffs in 2023 for the first time in 20 years, the team has struggled on the field this season. But with the ballpark’s retractable roof closed, loanDepot park offers one of the best places to beat the heat in South Florida while enjoying a unique outing. The atmosphere is lively, as the Marlins encourage fans to bring musical instruments including but not limited to bongos, cowbells, maracas, tambourines and trumpets.” – Craig Davis from popular blog CraigsLegz Travels
With a seating capacity of over 37,000, the park offers an immersive fan experience complete with modern amenities and stunning views of the Miami skyline.
Try out the amazing food!
Good food and drink are integral to a game day experience. Below, our experts have given some great recommendations on where to grab a bite to eat:
“Home games at loanDepot park offer a unique experience, with top food vendors like The Change Up Burger and Miami’s Best Pizza adding to the excitement.” – William Smith from Grails Miami
“The ballpark food is excellent and reflects local influences,” shared Craig, who recommends “The Cuban sandwich at La Cocina (Section 40), smoked pork nachos at MIA BBQ (Section 7) and a cold Miami Marlins Lager at Biscayne Bay Brew Hall (Section 14). Pro tip: On Friday nights, avoid traffic after the game by attending the post-game party at Recess Sports Lounge just beyond the left-field fence featuring drink specials and dance music spun by a local DJ.” – Craig Davis from CraigsLegz Travels
Cultural impact of Miami baseball games:
In the event that the usual game day excitement is not enough to draw you out to loanDepot park this season, check out the below insight on the cultural flair brought to select Marlins games this year:
“Experience baseball with an ethnic flair in Little Havana: If you want to get a feel for Miami’s multicultural makeup, take in a Marlins game at loanDepot park. The 2024 season features 17 Heritage Celebration games that showcase traditional music, dance and authentic cuisine of various nations and ethnic backgrounds. This season four local street artists were invited to design special jerseys for the Cuban (May 18), Puerto Rican (June 8), Venezuelan (July 20) and Dominican Republic (August 10) heritage nights, which are included with the ticket package for those games.”– Craig Davis from CraigsLegz Travels
2024 Season matches and historic rivals:
No discussion of the Miami Marlins would be complete without mentioning some upcoming matches and their fierce, historic rivalries. Here is what our experts had to say:
“The Miami Marlins, known for their vibrant teal and exciting young talent, have seen fluctuating performances in recent years but remain a key team to watch in MLB’s National League East. Their notable rivals include the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets, making for thrilling matchups throughout the season.”- William Smith from Grails Miami
“The Marlins played well against first-place Seattle. And now the Red Sox will come in soon. You have big games with the Red Sox (a team possibly in contention for the playoffs) from July 2-4 and then the White Sox (record-wise the worst team in the MLB) July 5-7. The Mets come in one last time on July 19-22, followed by the Orioles from July 23-25. I have stories about seeing them in spring training in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale decades ago and meeting the Oriole Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver. I died and went to heaven!” – Baseball expert Lee Lowenfish
Best places to watch the baseball games in Miami
If you’re not up for the excitement of loanDepot park, our experts have provided recommendations for how to engage in game-day fun outside of the stadium:
“Big Marlins fans can’t miss a stop by this favorite neighborhood bar before heading to the game at loanDepot park: The Brightside. It is a great gastro pub and perfect spot for game-watching, super friendly service, and happy hours 7 days a week. They have a great selection of beer and liquor including Guinness on draft and the popular old fashioned. They have elevated bar food with a fan favorite being the gigantic Beef on Weck, which is the owner’s own recipe, and they make all ingredients in-house. Watch not only the Marlins games but also hockey, soccer including English soccer, UFC, and Champions League games on huge projectors and TVs all around the space. There’s even free parking in the lot behind the building and paid street parking.”- Paola Bortolin, Founder & CEO of Sobeach Tours
“Come cheer on OUR Miami Marlins at a true local spot; Hole 19 Scratch Kitchen + Bar! Located inside the Miami Springs Golf & Country Club, you’ll find over 20 TVs tuned in to all the sports you want while you eat and sip on our scratch food & cocktails! Just 15 minutes from the Marlins stadium, it is the perfect pre-game or even game day hang out! Oh, and don’t forget about our daily happy hour specials!“- Yannick Kemmache, General Manager of Hole 19- Scratch Kitchen + Bar
“For a lively atmosphere away from the stadium, head to Grails Miami in Wynwood, where fans can enjoy the game on large screens, eclectic decor, and delicious food and drinks, creating the ultimate game-day experience.” – William Smith from Grails Miami
Last but most certainly not least, you don’t have to go out to be involved in the MLB season, Juice Reel shared this helpful tip on how to get in on the Marlins action:
“Juice Reel is the industry’s most robust sports betting tracker and tool, allowing any sports bettor to link in their betting accounts from any Sportsbook or website to receive analytics on themselves. The Marlins have lost 6 straight, and the SharpMush metric within the Juice Reel app shows that more good bettors than bad bettors are taking the Marlins. If you’re going to bet tonight, data from Juice Reel says go take the Marlins!”- Juice Reel Support Team.
Miami MLB guide takeaways
The Miami Marlins stand as a testament to the city’s passion for baseball and its rich cultural tapestry. With a deep history, a world-class stadium, intense rivalries, and a commitment to entertainment, the Marlins continue to captivate fans and inspire the next generation of baseball enthusiasts in South Florida and beyond. Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or a casual observer, we invite you to join the Marlins on their journey as they strive for greatness in America’s favorite pastime. So, grab your cap, soak in the Miami sun, and immerse yourself in the excitement of Marlins baseball.
