Inter Miami CF's Homegrown Players Excited for Nu Stadium Opener

Managing Owner Jorge Mas calls new stadium 'a dream come true' ahead of historic first match.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:05am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in vibrant tropical colors depicting the opening of a new soccer stadium, with overlapping planes and shapes representing the energy and anticipation of the event.A bold, cubist interpretation of the excitement and energy surrounding the historic opening of Inter Miami CF's new Nu Stadium in the heart of Miami.Today in Miami

As Inter Miami CF prepares to open its brand-new Nu Stadium this Saturday, several of the team's homegrown players expressed their excitement about playing in the state-of-the-art facility located in the heart of Miami. Managing Owner Jorge Mas, Head Coach Javier Mascherano, and homegrown stars like Noah Allen, Santi Morales, Alex Shaw, David Ruiz, and Daniel Pinter shared their anticipation for the stadium's debut and the special meaning it holds for the local players.

Why it matters

The opening of Nu Stadium represents a major milestone for Inter Miami CF, which was founded in 2020 with the goal of bringing top-level professional soccer to Miami. The new stadium, located in the city's urban core, is expected to create a vibrant gameday atmosphere and deepen the team's connection to the local community, especially for the homegrown players who have come up through the club's academy system.

The details

Inter Miami CF's first-team players took the field at Nu Stadium for the first time on Thursday, conducting a training session ahead of the stadium's historic opening match against Austin FC on Saturday. The players were impressed by the stadium's state-of-the-art facilities, including the pristine Bermuda grass pitch, modern locker rooms, and close proximity of the stands to the action on the field. For the homegrown players, stepping onto the pitch was the realization of a long-held dream to represent their hometown club in a world-class venue.

  • Inter Miami CF will host Austin FC in the inaugural match at Nu Stadium on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
  • The team's first-team players conducted their first training session at the new stadium on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

The players

Jorge Mas

The managing owner of Inter Miami CF, who called the opening of Nu Stadium 'a dream come true' for the club and the city of Miami.

Javier Mascherano

The head coach of Inter Miami CF, who praised the stadium's top-notch facilities and said the team is ready to 'start enjoying it' and 'inaugurate it in the best way possible with a victory.'

Noah Allen

An Inter Miami CF homegrown defender who said stepping onto the pitch at Nu Stadium for the first time was 'an incredible feeling' and that he's 'excited for Saturday.'

Santi Morales

An Inter Miami CF homegrown midfielder who said seeing the stadium in person and realizing it's 'a reality' after 'waiting for this stadium for a long time' was the most striking part of the experience.

Alex Shaw

An Inter Miami CF homegrown midfielder who called playing in the new stadium a 'dream' and said he's 'living the dream' after visualizing it since his time in the club's academy.

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What they’re saying

“With the opening just a couple of days away, it's a dream come true. This stadium was born from a dream: to create a top-class stadium in my hometown where we could celebrate football... I think there's going to be a fantastic atmosphere on Saturday, and I want it to be an experience that everyone enjoys.”

— Jorge Mas, Managing Owner

“The stadium is top-notch. The pitch is excellent for playing, and the locker rooms and all the team facilities are impressive. Now it's time for us to start enjoying it, and above all, to inaugurate it in the best way possible with a victory.”

— Javier Mascherano, Head Coach

“Once you stepped out there it was an incredible feeling, it was unbelievable. It was cool to see the setup, how close the fans are and envisioning the stadium being full. It was a great feeling to be out there today and I'm excited for Saturday.”

— Noah Allen, Homegrown Defender

“To finally see the stadium in person and see it be a reality is what struck me the most. We've been waiting for this stadium for a long time, and now that we have it, it's time to enjoy it.”

— Santi Morales, Homegrown Midfielder

“It's a dream. Coming from the Academy and being here for so long, knowing about the new stadium being built, it was super cool being able to go into the locker room and the stadium with my teammates. To be able to visualize this since I was young, and being able to see it come to fruition is amazing. I'm just living the dream.”

— Alex Shaw, Homegrown Midfielder

What’s next

Inter Miami CF will host Austin FC in the inaugural match at Nu Stadium on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

The opening of Nu Stadium represents a significant milestone for Inter Miami CF and its homegrown players, who have long dreamed of representing their hometown club in a world-class facility located in the heart of Miami. The new stadium is expected to create a vibrant gameday atmosphere and deepen the team's connection to the local community, fulfilling the vision of the club's founders.