MIAMI — Miami’s planned FIFA World Cup Fan Festival at Bayfront Park could be in trouble as organizers wait on millions of dollars in federal security funding.
With the 2026 tournament starting in June, and construction for the fan fest set to begin in late April, leaders say time is running out.
Representatives from several host cities including Miami, Kansas City and New Jersey told lawmakers during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing that they are still awaiting critical federal funds.
Ray Martinez, chief operating officer of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee, said decisions will need to be made soon if the money does not come through.
“We’re about 70-something days out from starting to build the fan fest,” Martinez said. “These decisions have to be made -- generously, I say within the next 30 days is the drop-dead date.”
House Republicans on the committee said processing delays tied to the partial government shutdown could impact the Department of Homeland Security and potentially critical FEMA grants.
Miami alone has applied for about $70 million in federal help.
When asked whether the city would have to start canceling events if FEMA funding doesn’t arrive within the next month, Martinez was direct.
“We have to start making really tough decisions, and it starts with our fan festival,” he said.
Large-scale fan festivals are designed to give fans without match tickets a place to gather, watch games and take part in official events.
Organizers say those gatherings depend in part on federal security funding.
Martinez said that matches at Hard Rock Stadium will move forward as planned. But preparations for watch parties and other large, spontaneous events across the city could be affected.
“Preparing for the impromptu events and watch parties that we’re expecting to see will be in jeopardy,” he said.
In a statement, the Miami host committee said it remains confident that appropriate federal resources will be allocated in a timely and coordinated manner to support tournament planning and operations.
A leader from Kansas City, another host city, told lawmakers they need commitments and clarity now.
The festival is scheduled to run at Bayfront Park from June 13 through July 5.
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