MIAMI — After years of anticipation, Nu Stadium is set to open Saturday as Inter Miami CF hosts Austin FC, but fans should prepare for heavy traffic and ongoing construction around the site.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with more than 20,000 fans expected to attend the inaugural match at Miami Freedome Park.

City officials said they are still working to issue a temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) ahead of the game.

In a statement, the city said it is “working diligently with the representatives of Nu Stadium to issue the TCO by April 4th’s inaugural game.”

Officials added that if the TCO is not issued in time, the event could still proceed under a limited event permit, “which is limited to that day, with specific hours, restrictions, and additional precautions,” noting it is “a recourse often used in these situations.”

Despite that uncertainty, the match is still expected to go on as planned.

During a walkthrough of the stadium, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas acknowledged that construction remains ongoing outside the venue.

“Outside of the stadium it’s a construction site as we prepare construction, but I think it’ll be a beautiful walk up,” Mas said. “We’ll have really nice activities, so there’s a lot to do in the next 48 hours, but it’s all being done to make this a great fan experience on Saturday.”

Mas added that the fan experience will improve over time.

“Obviously the second game will be better, the third, the fourth, as you grow into it into any new facility, the experiences will get smoother, they’ll get better, but I’m very, very happy with what’s happened and the time period that we’ve been able to complete the stadium,” he said.

Meanwhile, a traffic alert has been issued by the Miami Police Department for Saturday, with major congestion expected before and after the match.

Traffic congestion expected times:

• Pre-match: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Post-match: 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Residential streets around Miami Freedom Park will be restricted to residents only, and drivers are urged not to cut through neighborhoods as police will enforce closures.

Fans driving to the stadium are advised to use only designated entrances:

• Northwest 37th Avenue (Douglas Road)
• Northwest 14th Street (between Northwest 37th and Northwest 42nd avenues)

Drivers should follow variable message signs along State Road 836 and LeJeune Road for routing.

Those using public transit or parking at the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) should follow the designated pedestrian route to Northwest 21st Street and Northwest 38th Court, then continue along the Sheraton access road to the pedestrian bridge leading into Nu Stadium. ADA shuttles will be available from the MIC to stadium entrances.

Officials urge fans to plan ahead, expect delays and follow directions from law enforcement directing traffic.

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