Inter Miami CF facts for kids
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| Full name | Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami | |||
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| Nickname(s) | The Herons | |||
| Short name | Inter Miami | |||
| Founded | January 29, 2018 | |||
| Stadium | Chase Stadium Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
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| Stadium capacity |
21,550 | |||
| Owners |
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| President | David Beckham | |||
| Head coach | Javier Mascherano | |||
| League | Major League Soccer | |||
| 2025 | Eastern Conference: 3rd Overall: 3rd Playoffs: Champions |
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Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, often called Inter Miami, is a professional soccer team from the United States. The club is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They play in Major League Soccer (MLS) as part of the Eastern Conference. Inter Miami plays its home games at Chase Stadium. The team plans to move to Miami Freedom Park in 2026.
The MLS officially approved a new team in Miami on January 29, 2018. The club became famous even before it started playing because of co-owner David Beckham. It gained even more attention in 2023 when Lionel Messi joined the team. Since their first season in 2020, Inter Miami has signed other well-known players. These include Blaise Matuidi, Gonzalo Higuaín, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul.
After Messi joined, the club won its first big trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup. This win also allowed them to play in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup for the first time. In the 2024 season, Inter Miami won their first Supporters' Shield. This qualified them to host the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. According to Forbes, the team's value was about $1.2 billion in 2025. This made them the second most valuable club in the league. On December 6, 2025, Inter Miami won its first MLS Cup Championship. They defeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3–1 in an exciting match.
Contents
Discovering Inter Miami's Journey
How Inter Miami Started: The Expansion Story
In November 2012, the MLS commissioner, Don Garber, said the league wanted a team in Miami again. The city had a team before, the Miami Fusion, but it stopped playing in 2001. David Beckham, a famous soccer player, had a special agreement when he joined the MLS in 2007. This agreement gave him the chance to buy a new team at a lower price.
When Beckham stopped playing in 2013, he started talking about owning a team in Miami. Other investors also showed interest in the idea. In December 2013, Miami-Dade County officials agreed to talk with Beckham's group about a new stadium. On February 5, 2014, the MLS announced that Beckham's group would own a team in Miami. This was if they could agree on a stadium plan.
After some challenges with stadium plans, Beckham met Jorge and José Mas. They joined his group, and things moved forward. On January 29, 2018, the Miami Beckham United group officially received the 25th MLS team. The team was set to start playing in the 2020 season. They named the club Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, or Inter Miami CF. Paul McDonough was hired as the sporting director.
Inter Miami and Nashville SC joined the league for the 2020 season. The MLS held a special draft to help these new teams pick players. On December 30, 2019, Diego Alonso became the club's first head coach. The team signed Rodolfo Pizarro, who scored Miami's first goal in a preseason game.
Early Years and First Steps (2020–2023)
Inter Miami played its first MLS game on March 1, 2020, losing 1–0 to Los Angeles FC. Rodolfo Pizarro scored the team's first official goal on March 7. Their first home game was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 23, 2020, Inter Miami won its first game, beating Orlando City SC 3–2.
In January 2021, Phil Neville became the new head coach. The team continued to sign important players like Gonzalo Higuaín. Higuaín scored his first goal for Miami in October 2020. He even scored a hat-trick in a game in July 2022. Higuaín retired at the end of the 2022 season.
In 2021, the Mas brothers became the main owners of the team. The MLS announced that Inter Miami faced a penalty for not following player rules during the 2020 season. The club had spent more than allowed on certain players. As a result, the club paid a $2 million fine. They also had less money to spend on players in future seasons.
Other players like Leonardo Campana and Josef Martínez joined the team. DeAndre Yedlin also joined, bringing lots of experience from playing in top leagues.
The Lionel Messi Era: A New Chapter (2023–Present)
On June 1, 2023, Phil Neville left his coaching role. Just four days later, Lionel Messi, a seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, announced he would join Inter Miami. He chose Miami over other offers. Messi signed his contract on July 15. Former Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino was appointed as the new head coach.
Messi officially joined the team with his former Barcelona teammate, Sergio Busquets, at a big event on July 16. Another former Barcelona player, Jordi Alba, signed five days later. Messi's arrival made Inter Miami the top-selling sports team on Fanatics. Ticket prices for Miami games also increased a lot. Forbes valued Inter Miami at about $1 billion, showing a huge increase.
Messi and Busquets played their first game on July 21. Messi scored a winning free-kick in the final moments, ending Miami's 11-game winless streak. On August 19, Inter Miami won its first trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup, after a penalty shootout. This win qualified them for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
In August 2023, Inter Miami reached the 2023 U.S. Open Cup final but lost to the Houston Dynamo. Messi, Busquets, and Alba made their MLS debuts on August 26, winning 2–0 against the New York Red Bulls. On October 7, Miami lost to FC Cincinnati, which meant they would not make the MLS playoffs that year.
On October 30, Messi won his 8th Ballon d'Or award. Inter Miami became the only MLS team to have a current player win this honor. In December 2023, Luis Suárez, another former Barcelona teammate, joined the team. In February 2024, a disagreement occurred during a preseason friendly in Hong Kong due to Messi's absence.
On October 3, 2024, Miami secured their first Supporters' Shield. This was thanks to goals from Messi and Suárez. They finished the season with a league record of 74 points. On October 19, 2024, FIFA announced that Miami would host the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
On November 10, 2024, Inter Miami was eliminated from the first round of the MLS playoffs. This was a big surprise. Messi's former teammate, Javier Mascherano, was then hired as the new head coach. Inter Miami hosted the opening of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. They drew with Al Ahly and later achieved a historic 2–1 win against FC Porto. This made them the first CONCACAF club to beat a European club in this competition. Miami was eliminated in the round of 16 after losing to Paris Saint-Germain.
In the 2025 Leagues Cup semifinals, Miami defeated Orlando City SC 3–1. However, Miami lost the final 3–0 to Seattle Sounders FC. An incident occurred between players and staff, leading to fines and suspensions for some players. Lionel Messi officially broke the all-time career assists record, reaching 405 assists. This happened during Inter Miami's successful run in the 2025 MLS playoffs. They won the MLS Cup final against the Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1. This game was also the last for Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets in their football careers.
Team Colors and Badge Design
The Inter Miami team revealed its name and colors on September 5, 2018. The official name is Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami. The team's badge is designed with colors and a style that reminds people of Miami's Art Deco buildings. It shows two great white herons with their legs linked together, forming the letter 'M'.
Between the herons, there is an eclipse. The sun has seven rays, which is a tribute to the number David Beckham often wore as a player. The full badge shows the team name around the outside. The Roman numerals MMXX represent the year 2020, which was the team's first season. The three-pointed shield stands for the three main communities in South Florida: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. The club's main colors are pink, white, and black, with some blue.
There was some discussion about what kind of birds were on the crest. Some thought they were flamingos or egrets. The team later confirmed they are white herons. The club's name also had a disagreement with the Italian club Inter Milan. Inter Milan had tried to trademark the name "Inter" in 2014. The two clubs reached an agreement in 2021, allowing David Beckham's team to keep its name.
Uniform History: Home Kits
          2020–2021
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     2022–2023
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    2024
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     2025–
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Uniform History: Away Kits
    2020
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   2021–2022
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    2023–2024
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   2025–
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Uniform History: Third Kits
     2024
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Team Sponsors and Partners
| Season | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | Sleeve sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Adidas | — | Baptist Health |
| 2021 | XBTO | — | |
| 2022 | Xmanna | ||
| 2023 | Fracht Group | ||
| 2024 | Royal Caribbean | ||
| 2025 |
Inter Miami has many partnerships with well-known companies. In April 2021, they announced a deal with AutoNation. In March 2024, Tudor became the official timekeeper. Lowe's started a partnership in April 2024, allowing fans to meet players. Visa also became a sponsor in May 2024. Duracell became the official power partner in February 2024. XBTO renewed its partnership as the official cryptofinance partner in March 2024.
Inter Miami's Home Stadiums
Chase Stadium: The Current Home Ground
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Chase Stadium, previously known as DRV PNK Stadium, is a soccer stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is built where the old Lockhart Stadium used to be. The stadium is set up so the sun does not bother the goalkeepers. It is the main place for the team's headquarters, youth academy, and training fields. The stadium cost about $60 million to build and renovate.
After Lionel Messi announced he was joining in June 2023, the stadium added more seats. This increased the capacity to handle more fans. On February 20, 2024, the team announced a partnership with JPMorgan Chase. The stadium was renamed Chase Stadium right away. It also has fireworks on the rooftop for celebrations.
In January 2019, Inter Miami wanted to use the Lockhart Stadium site. They planned to build a training ground and a temporary stadium there. The Fort Lauderdale city council approved this plan. In July 2019, the city agreed to a 50-year lease with Inter Miami. The club is responsible for building and maintaining the new facilities. In April 2021, the stadium was named DRV PNK Stadium as part of a partnership with AutoNation. In January 2024, more seats were added, bringing the total capacity to 21,550.
Miami Freedom Park: The Future Home
Inter Miami started playing in Fort Lauderdale in March 2020. They will continue there until their new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, is finished. This project will include a 25,000-seat stadium. It will be part of a larger complex on the former site of the Melreese Country Club. This location is near the Miami International Airport.
Voters approved the plan in a public vote on November 6, 2018. About 60 percent of voters agreed to turn the city-owned golf course into Inter Miami's new stadium. The entire project is worth over $1 billion. In August 2019, it was found that the soil at the Melreese golf course needed to be cleaned before construction could begin.
A judge's decision also supported the referendum results. This allowed city leaders to negotiate a 99-year lease for Miami Freedom Park. The project will include the stadium, a hotel, offices, and shops. It will be built on 73 acres of city land. The team will also build a public park next to it. Inter Miami will play at least 17 home games each year in the 25,000-seat stadium.
The development will cover 131 acres of public land. It will have a million square feet of commercial space and 750 hotel rooms. There will also be 23 acres of public soccer fields and a 10.5-acre stadium. The remaining 58 acres will be a public park. The club owners will also pay $20 million each year for 30 years to improve public parks in the city.
The club looked at many other locations before choosing this site. These included Dodge Island, Museum Park, and a site near Marlins Park. Construction for Miami Freedom Park began in August 2023. The stadium is expected to open in 2026.
Training Complex: Developing Future Stars
In January 2019, the club announced plans for a training ground at the Lockhart Stadium site in Fort Lauderdale. This facility would be for the first team, youth academy, and reserve team.
The training facility is north of Chase Stadium and covers 30 acres. It includes a park, youth soccer fields, and a community center. It has seven training fields. This is the permanent training home for all Inter Miami teams, from the youth academy to the senior team. Florida Blue bought the naming rights for the facility in September 2022. The Florida Blue Training Center also has the 5,000-seat AutoNation Sports Field. This field has been home to the Miami Sharks rugby club since 2024.
Getting to the Game: Transportation Options
The Miami Freedom Park site is close to the Miami International Airport. It is also near the Miami Intermodal Center, which is a station for trains and buses. Fans can use Metrorail trains to get to Downtown Miami. Tri-Rail commuter trains go to northern suburbs.
Chase Stadium is near Interstate 95 in Fort Lauderdale. The stadium has parking lots for fans who buy tickets in advance. The nearest Tri-Rail station is Cypress Creek.
In April 2022, Inter Miami partnered with Brightline to offer special train services. These "GOOOL Getter" trains run from Miami and West Palm Beach to the Fort Lauderdale station. A shuttle then takes fans to the stadium.
Who Owns Inter Miami?
The group that owns Inter Miami was first formed in 2013 as Miami Beckham United. Now, it is known as Miami Freedom Park LLC. The original group included David Beckham and Marcelo Claure. Later, Masayoshi Son and brothers Jorge and Jose Mas joined in 2017. David Beckham's agreement with the MLS in 2007 gave him the chance to buy an expansion team at a lower price.
On September 17, 2021, Beckham and the Mas brothers bought out Claure and Son's shares. Ares Management also joined the ownership group.
Inter Miami's Fan Groups
Inter Miami has four official supporter groups. These groups help cheer on the team. They are The Siege, Southern Legion, Vice City 1896, and Nación Rosa Y Negro. You can often see them at games, showing their support.
Team Rivalries
Inter Miami has a rivalry with Orlando City SC. This is because Orlando City is the closest team and the only other Florida-based team in the MLS. Their games are called the "Florida Derby" by the MLS.
The club also has a rivalry within Miami with the USL Championship club Miami FC. This local matchup is known as the "Miami Clásico."
Team Achievements and Honors
| Domestic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| MLS Cup | 1 | 2025 |
| Supporters' Shield | 1 | 2024 |
| Eastern Conference (Playoffs) | 1 | 2025 |
| Eastern Conference (Regular Season) | 1 | 2024 |
| International | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Leagues Cup | 1 | 2023 |
Players and Coaching Staff
Current Roster of Players
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Players Currently on Loan
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Technical Staff: The Team Behind the Team
As of January 28, 2025
| Name | Position | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Javier Mascherano | Head coach |
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| Lucas Rodriguez Pagano | Assistant coach |  Argentina |
| Leandro Stillitano | Assistant coach | Argentina |
| Javier Morales | Assistant coach | Argentina |
| Mauro Dobler | Goalkeeping coach | Argentina |
| Pablo Blanco | Fitness coach | Argentina |
| Lucio Stortoni | Video analyst | Argentina |
| Erik Marquis | Video analyst | Argentina |
| Garrison Draper | Performance director |  United States |
| Chris Henderson | Sporting director | United States |
| Niki Budalić | Director of soccer operations |  Canada |
| Sam Gregory | Chief analyst | Canada |
| Xavier Asensi | Chief business officer |  Spain |
| Guillermo Hoyos | President of football operations | Argentina |
| Kieran Gibbs | Media director |  England |
Head Coaches Through the Years
As of November 29, 2025
| Name | Nationality | Tenure | G | W | D | L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Alonso |  Uruguay |
24 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 29.17 | |
| Phil Neville | England |
90 | 35 | 13 | 42 | 38.89 | |
| Javier Morales (interim) | Argentina |
7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 14.29 | |
| Gerardo Martino | Argentina |
67 | 35 | 16 | 16 | 52.24 | |
| Javier Mascherano | Argentina |
57 | 33 | 11 | 13 | 57.89 |
Club's Designated Player History
| Player | Previous club | Years as DP |
|---|---|---|
| Matías Pellegrini |
Estudiantes |
2020 |
 Rodolfo Pizarro |
Monterrey |
2020–2023 |
| Gonzalo Higuaín |
 Juventus |
2020–2022 |
 Blaise Matuidi |
Juventus |
2021 |
 Gregore |
Bahia |
2021–2023 |
| Alejandro Pozuelo |
Toronto FC |
2022 |
 Leonardo Campana |
Wolverhampton Wanderers |
2023–2024 |
| Lionel Messi |
Paris Saint-Germain |
2023– |
| Sergio Busquets |
Barcelona |
2023–2025 |
| Jordi Alba |
Barcelona |
2023–2025 |
Team Infrastructure
Reserve Team: Inter Miami CF II
On October 9, 2019, the club announced it would have a reserve team. This team plays in the third tier of US Soccer, called USL League One. The reserve team helps prepare young players for the main team. The League One Miami team trains at the facilities near Chase Stadium.
The team's first season was supposed to start on March 27, 2020. However, the match was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On February 24, 2022, the reserve team was renamed Inter Miami CF II. They moved to the MLS Next Pro, which is a new league for MLS reserve teams.
Youth Academy: Growing Future Talent
The Inter Miami CF Academy is the official youth development system for the club. It was started in 2019. The academy has different age groups, from under-12 to under-17. These young teams also train at the facilities near Inter Miami CF Stadium. They train alongside the MLS and reserve teams. All of Inter Miami's youth teams compete in the MLS Next soccer league. The academy helps develop young players for the future.
Media Coverage and Partnerships
Inter Miami's first few games in 2020 were shown on national TV. The team announced that Ray Hudson would be a commentator. Andres Cordero was the play-by-play commentator. Fernando Fiore was the host, and Kaylyn Kyle was the sideline reporter. On April 3, 2020, the club announced a TV deal with CBS Television Stations. This meant regional games would air on WBFS-TV and some on WFOR-TV.
On April 30, the club announced a Spanish language deal with Univision. Games would be shown on WAMI and heard on WQBA radio. Kieran Gibbs was named the media director in February 2023. Heineken is also an official beer partner. Inter Miami has many partnerships with well-known companies. Duracell became the official power partner in February 2024. XBTO renewed its partnership as the official cryptofinance partner in March 2024. Visa announced a partnership in May 2024.
All MLS regional TV contracts ended after the 2023 season. Now, all MLS games are available on MLS Season Pass through the Apple TV.
See also
In Spanish: Inter de Miami para niños
- List of most expensive association football transfers
- List of most expensive American soccer transfers
- Forbes list of the most valuable football clubs
- Sports in Miami
