As the College Football Championship hype continues to build ahead of Monday’s big showdown between the Miami Hurricanes and the Indiana Hoosiers, fans won’t have to wait until game day to start all the fun, as two major tie-in events aim to draw big crowds to Miami Beach this weekend.
While the athletes get ready to take the field at Hard Rock Stadium, the fans can come and take to the sand at Lummus Park.
“I will tell you, the buzz is as high as we’ve seen it,” said College Football Playoff Executive Director Richard Clark.
7News cameras captured crews hard at work setting up the stage for two nights of free concerts.
“Miami Beach is spectacular, and everybody knows that this is a destination city,” said Clark. “It’s a destination location for people to come to, and having an iconic concert here – well, actually, I should say the concert is here, and being here makes it iconic.”
The organizers for the College Football Playoff put together the free concert series on the sand. The headliner is Scottish DJ Calvin Harris.
“We’re planning right now for two nights of free concerts, but the lineups include Calvin Harris, John Summit, Xandra on Saturday night, and then on Sunday night, Peso Pluma, Latin Mafia and Alvaro Diaz,” said Ryan Allen Hall, Senior Director of Public Events for College Football Playoff. “So we think we’ve done something pretty special for the local community.”
Right down the road, the Miami Beach Convention Center has been transformed, all 300,000 feet of it, into Playoff Fan Central, a free, three-day fan experience packed with interactive games, pep rallies, autographs and more.
“Playoff Fan Central is just a football dream on steroids. Anything you want to do is here,” said Hall.
It’s an ideal destination for fans who were unable to snag tickets to the game like most of us have been.
“The whole idea is to give fans an opportunity to do something if they can’t get a ticket to the game, to still have an in-person touch point with the College Football Playoff,” said Clark.
Visitors will be able to see the National Championship trophy, as well as six bowl trophies here, giving them plenty of opportunities for major photo ops.
Whether you’re a Canes fan or a Hoosiers fan, organizers say there will be something for everyone.
“Forty yard dash, field goal. We got a monster truck, we have merchandise for sale, we have, Great Clips is here, setting up to cut people’s hair. We even have puppies,” said Clark. “You can come and hold a puppy.”
“Food, fun, games, football, everything will be here. Spend hours here having a great time,” said Hall.
Organizers said representatives from Chick-fil-A and Dr. Pepper will be giving fans a little something to eat and drink. They’re also giving people an opportunity to kick field goals, wear helmets and additional photo ops.
“Having a local team as part of our championship is just incredible, and congratulations to the University of Miami, and really, the whole city, because they have had quite the year,” said Clark. “And of course, we’re welcoming Indiana. They’re an amazing team and have a great story behind them as well.”
“Yeah, I mean, only so many people can go to Hard Rock Stadium on the [day of the] game, right? But we can do something to where we get thousands? Hundreds of thousands? We don’t know, but we’re ready for it,” said Hall. “So, you know, we want something where a whole community [can] come out, be a part of College Football Playoff.”
Aside from the larger-than-life player statues and unending list of activities happening, organizers said Miami fans is what really makes the whole experience special.
“Miami always rolls out the red carpet for us. The setting, the vibe’s always great. Then you get the home team, it’s a great, great mixture. So, I mean, we know the flavor that is Miami. Something for everyone’s gonna be here at Playoff Fan Central at Miami Beach,” said Hall.
Back in Lummus Park, organizers have blocked off an entire part of the beach near where the stage is set. There are several blocks blocked off here for the fans to come here and enjoy the concert series, which is set to take place Saturday and Sunday. Doors open at 6 p.m.
As for Playoff Fan Central, it’s going to take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, marching bands from the University of Miami and Indiana University will give visitors a complete preview of what to expect when they perform at Hard Rock Stadium.