Riccardo Silva Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

The stadium sits at 11310 SW 17th Street on the FIU campus, about 11 miles west of Downtown Miami and roughly 8 miles from Miami International Airport (MIA). Miami-Dade Transit serves the stadium with Metrobus lines 8, 11, 24, and 71, and lines 8, 11, and 24 connect directly with Downtown Miami and Brickell. Route 8 travels from the FIU Maidique Campus to Downtown Miami along W Flagler St & SW 1st St, stopping at the Government Center Metrorail/Metromover station. Route 24 travels from FIU Maidique Campus to the Brickell Metrorail/Metromover station along Coral Way. Bus fare is $2.25; the GO Miami-Dade Transit app handles mobile payment. Expect a 45–60 minute ride from Downtown to FIU on a game day Saturday.

From MIA, the best move is a rideshare or cab — it's a short, flat 8-mile shot west on the Dolphin Expressway (SR-836) or SW 8th Street (Calle Ocho), usually 20–30 minutes without traffic. Rideshare runs $15–25 from the airport. By car, take I-836 W to the SW 107th Ave exit and head south to the campus. Tailgate lots open roughly six hours before kickoff, so arriving early is genuinely rewarded here.

Transit: Metrobus runs game-day service but frequency on weekend evenings can drop to every 20–30 minutes post-game. Route 8 connects FIU to Downtown Miami and the Government Center Metrorail station — that's your link to Brickell, Coconut Grove, or Coral Gables. Wait about 20 minutes after the final whistle before heading to the bus stop; the immediate post-game rush is short-lived.

Driving: The Cuban Memorial Lot on the east side is the primary general parking area , and it typically empties out in 20–30 minutes post-game. SW 8th Street westbound and the Palmetto Expressway northbound are your fastest exits. Expect 10–15 minutes of crawl before you reach moving traffic on game nights. Lot 7 (Lot 7 priority) is closest to the stadium but can back up; if you're in the Cuban Memorial Lot, take the eastern exit toward SW 107th Ave to avoid the main choke point.

Rideshare: Request your Uber or Lyft before you reach the gate — don't wait until you're standing in the parking lot. Surge pricing is rare at this venue because crowds are manageable, but it happens on rivalry nights (Shula Bowl vs. FAU especially). Walk two blocks east toward Tamiami Park or one block north on SW 107th Ave to find a faster pickup away from the stadium exit crush. Best tip: if you drove to a nearby lot off-campus before the game, your rideshare back to a hotel or restaurant will be seamless.

Parking at this venue is legitimately one of the best deals in college football. Priority parking in Lot 7 runs $30, while general single-game parking can be purchased for $20 in-person on gamedays. General parking in the Cuban Memorial Lot is also available for $20, purchasable online through the FIU Gameday Hub prior to gameday or in person.

Due to demand for additional parking closer to the stadium, no tents or tailgating are permitted in Lot 7; tailgating is encouraged in Tamiami Park and the Cuban Memorial Lot on the east side of the stadium — an expansive grass area that's the right call for pregame gatherings. The Cuban Memorial Lot is where the actual scene is. VIP/Suite holder preferred parking is in the south pavement lot, just north of Tamiami Park and across from the south gates. For $20, you're not going to find a drama-free lot closer to a football stadium anywhere else in this city.

The stadium is in Westchester, which is a residential neighborhood — there are no boutique hotels a short walk away. Your smart play is to book in Coral Gables or Doral, both 10–15 minutes by car.

Coral Gables is the best pick: walkable, full of great restaurants on Miracle Mile, and Uber to the stadium runs 15 minutes and under $15. Mid-range hotels here land in the $150–220 range per night. Doral is slightly closer to the campus and even cheaper (the Doral/airport hotel corridor runs $100–170), and it puts you right off the Palmetto Expressway for an easy game-day drive. If you want to stay somewhere with actual Miami energy before the game, book in Brickell ($180–280/night) — you'll have easy Metrobus access on Route 24 and be within range of actual nightlife. Airport area hotels near MIA are the budget-maximizer option (under $130) with a 20-minute rideshare to the stadium.

You're in Westchester, which means you're in one of Miami's most authentically Cuban-American neighborhoods. Don't try to find a sports bar. Instead, lean into the food.

Sergio's Restaurant (multiple locations, nearest on Coral Way) — The gold standard Cuban diner in the area. Rabo encendido, vaca frita, café con leche at 7am or midnight. Order the pastelito.

Arbetter Hot Dogs (8100 SW 8th St) — An innovative Cuban bakery on SW 8th Street with classics and twists, including a strong sandwich game. This is a local institution; the chili dog rivals anything you'll find in Miami.

109 Burger Joint (646 SW 109th Ave) — Extremely close to campus, very cheap, always crowded with FIU students. It's a proper pregame stop if you want something quick and filling without going far.

Jasmine's Sushi and Thai Cuisine (1429 SW 107th Ave) — Located just across from campus on 107th and open Wednesday through Sunday, Jasmine's serves sushi rolls, pad thai, and a good selection of curry. Ideal if you want a sit-down dinner before or after the game.

Once inside Riccardo Silva Stadium, fans will find plenty of food and drink options to enjoy.

There are four permanent concession stands and multiple concession kiosks throughout the stadium on the main concourse and second level concourse. Expect to pay around $8–10 for a beer and $6–9 for a basic stadium meal (hot dog, nachos, burger). Alcohol is sold to the general public at concession stands throughout the stadium; you must be 21 with a valid ID, and there is a limit of two beverages per sale per person. ATMs are available on the main concourse , and cash is accepted — which is a genuine plus for a college stadium in 2025.

No backpacks are allowed into the stadium. Prohibited items include any outside food or beverages, bottles, cans, flasks, thermoses, coolers, ice bags, boom boxes, firearms, artificial noisemakers, umbrellas, and anything deemed hazardous by stadium management. Clear bags are the practical default — bring one. Authorities are allowed to inspect patrons and their bags upon entering for spectator safety.

Stadium doors typically open about two hours before events. There are ATM machines located throughout the stadium's main concourse for FIU athletic events , so cash users won't be stranded — but bring smaller bills to speed things up. Gates 1–4 are on the south side; FIU students enter at Gate 6 or 6A , so avoid those if you're coming in as a general admission visitor during student rush. Away fans don't have a dedicated entrance, so any general gate works. Arrive at least 60 minutes before kickoff — security lines are usually manageable but can spike on rivalry games.

Seating for guests with disabilities is located throughout the stadium on the first and second level concourses with ramps and elevator access. Customers requiring special assistance are asked to make ticket arrangements well in advance by contacting the FIU Athletics Ticket Office at 305-348-4263.

There are five elevators inside the stadium: four are on the south side, with two intended for general public access to the second level and two for suite and stadium club access only. An additional elevator is located inside the Kirk R. Landon Field House Lobby. The MIA Mover and all Miami-Dade Transit buses are also wheelchair-accessible for anyone making the trip via public transit.

There is no formally designated away fan section at Riccardo Silva Stadium — FIU doesn't have the game-day infrastructure for that. Away fans tend to scatter through the upper deck, particularly along the east sideline (sections in the upper tier opposite the press box side), where you'll get a clean view of the whole field and minimal friction with the home crowd.

For the best sightlines, aim for the mid-level sections along the 50-yard line on either sideline. The lower bowl has solid angles but brings you closer to the student section energy. The upper bowl bleachers are metal and aluminum — which is what creates the "Rattle the Cage" effect when the home crowd stomps — but it also means no cushioning, so bring a seat pad for a long night game. Seats further from the field are the most affordable and can be as low as $8–9, while premium lower-level seats go up toward the $80s.

Away fans are typically allocated a designated section, so expect a lively but separated atmosphere from home supporters.

This is one of the more relaxed away-fan environments in college football, full stop. FIU crowds are typically modest in size — the all-time attendance record is 22,268, set during a 2011 homecoming game against Duke — meaning most Saturdays you'll have breathing room and won't be outnumbered in a hostile way. The crowd is genuinely passionate when the team is winning, and the "Rattle the Cage" tradition — where fans stomp and jump in unison on the bleachers to create a loud reverberation — is done throughout the game, notably on defense. That noise is real and shouldn't be underestimated. What you won't find is much pre-game ceremony or large-scale spectacle. This is a commuter campus; the tailgate scene is improving but still building. Come for a football game, not a production. The open-air setting in Miami means September night games have heat and humidity baked in, so dress accordingly — and bring water.

What Metrobus lines serve Riccardo Silva Stadium?

Miami-Dade Transit serves the stadium with Metrobus lines 8, 11, 24, and 71; lines 8, 11, and 24 connect directly with Downtown Miami and Brickell.

Are backpacks allowed in the stadium?

No backpacks are allowed into the stadium. Use a clear bag and leave the pack in your car or hotel.

How much does parking cost at FIU football games?

Priority parking in Lot 7 is $30; general single-game parking in-person on gamedays is $20.

Can I bring outside food or drinks?

Outside food and beverages are prohibited at all Pitbull Stadium events. Eat before you arrive.

What time do gates open?

Gates typically open about two hours before the event. Plan to arrive at least 60–90 minutes early to clear security without stress.

Is the stadium cashless? No — there are ATM machines located throughout the main concourse for FIU athletic events , and cash is accepted at concessions. Cards also work.

Where should away fans sit? There's no designated away section. Aim for the upper deck east sideline for good sightlines and a low-friction experience. Avoid the student section near Gate 6/6A.

How far is the stadium from Miami International Airport (MIA)? About 8 miles — roughly a 20–25 minute rideshare at $15–25, or a longer bus ride connecting through downtown. Driving via the Dolphin Expressway (SR-836) is fast on non-rush-hour days.