Sun Life Stadium, Home of the Dolphins

Official Review by Jason Clary, Stadium Journey Correspondent

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Whether you are heading north from Miami or south from Fort Lauderdale, there is surely one thing that will catch your eye. Like a giant beacon beaming in from a distance, Sun Life Stadium is a structure one in its own. It is the fortress the Miami Dolphins call home.

Although a successful franchise, the Florida sun that shines year round has many fans elsewhere on game-day. For those fans that bleed aqua and orange, there is no place like Sun Life Stadium on a Sunday afternoon.

Food & Beverage   4/5

Along with the normal selection of food and beverages like chicken fingers and the standard assortment of sodas, Sun Life Stadium offers unique favorites like quesadillas, Italian sausage, and of course, Land Shark Beer. It would only be appropriate to offer Land Shark Beer, considering it the former name of the stadium.

While prices could be lower, there are all kinds of delicious amenities for any kind of stomach and refreshments sure to cool you down. As far as beer sales go, there is no need to worry; it is sold after half time and ceases only when the clock reaches zero in the third quarter.

Atmosphere   4/5

The Miami Dolphins are one of the most storied franchises in NFL History. Visible from any seat in the stadium, a band around the entire building includes names from the Dolphins ring of honor, which includes players like Larry Csonka, Bob Griese, and Dan Marino.

Sun Life Stadium, which is host to this Super Bowl XLIV (44) and the 2010 Pro Bowl, also has 2 massive High Definition TV monitors at either end of the stadium and a High Definition media strip lining the entire inside of the stadium.

Neighborhood   2/5

Well folks, it isn’t South Beach. Sun Life Stadium is located in a relatively isolated area, which is located mostly around residential areas. The closest restaurants or bars require a trip back on the highway either to the outskirts of Fort Lauderdale or North Miami.

For those fans that really need to be at a bar or restaurant for the pre game festivities, I suggest staying near the city until about an hour before kickoff. For those fans that love to tailgate, you have come to the right place. Make a few friends, grill some good food, and toss around the pigskin. It’ll be a great day for football.

Fans   4/5

From all walks of life and of many ages, there are an extremely high variety of Dolphins fans. You will see fans at Sun Life Stadium sporting jerseys, body paint, and even a full arsenal of football pads. Though at times there are some empty seats, you can expect the 12th man to be loud and proud no matter how many fans are in attendance.

It is definitely a family environment that all ages can enjoy.

Access   5/5

There is no problem getting to the stadium, parking, tailgating, or going into the stadium. A very well set up area, Sun Life Stadium provides a simple and convenient parking and tailgating area that is an easy walk to the stadium. There are portable bathrooms set up around the tailgating areas and there are many bathrooms in the stadium.

The parking allows for tents to be set up as well as grills, tables and tailgate games. There is also ideal room to throw around a football, even at full capacity.

Return on Investment   4/5

The field is easily visible from any seat in the stadium. Even from the last row in the upper deck I was able to follow every play with ease. Concessions are a little over priced, as they are in most stadiums, but everything else is easy on the wallet. Getting seats for less than 100 dollars to an NFL game is a blessing and there are more than a few sections in Sun Life Stadium that offer affordable prices for tickets for those who do not want to spend a fortune. It is a very affordable option for going to see an NFL game.

Extras   2/5

One point goes to the new artwork around the spiral walkways up the stadium. Created by artist Romero Britto, they add a scenic touch of South Florida to the stadium and give it a unique look walking into the stadium.

A second point goes to the renovations recently completed to expand the decks at the different levels of the stadium. These expanded decks made way for new bars, concessions, and areas to sit down and enjoy refreshments as well as the South Florida sun.

Final Thoughts

This was another great trip to watch the Dolphins play football. The stadium gets better and better each time I go to a game. I would personally recommend any football fan to attend a game at Sun Life Stadium.

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