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Rainy Days Plague Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium
Temporary tennis venue on NFL field struggles with weather issues
Mar. 23, 2026 at 11:04am
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The 2026 Miami Open tennis tournament has faced significant weather challenges, with persistent rain causing numerous delays and cancellations of matches at the event's temporary venue inside Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins. The tournament's move from its previous location on Key Biscayne to the football stadium has led to issues with drainage and the inability to fully cover the courts, leading to frustration from players like Aryna Sabalenka who were forced to play on secondary courts.
Why it matters
The Miami Open's weather woes highlight the challenges of staging a major tennis tournament at a venue not primarily designed for the sport. As climate change leads to more unpredictable weather patterns, the lack of a retractable roof at Hard Rock Stadium has become a liability, raising questions about the need for modern tennis facilities to have better weather protection capabilities.
The details
The temporary tennis court constructed inside Hard Rock Stadium has proven vulnerable to the rain, with less drainage than a purpose-built tennis venue. This led to the cancellation of an entire day of qualifying matches, as well as disruptions to the first-round schedule, including world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka being moved off the main stadium court. Tournament organizers have had to get creative with scheduling to work around the weather, but the open-air design of the stadium makes it difficult to fully dry off the courts during rain delays.
- Sunday's qualifying round was a complete washout.
- Wednesday's first round saw 37 matches across 10 courts canceled due to constant light drizzle.
- Play was stop-and-start on Friday, with intermittent rain delaying several matches.
The players
Aryna Sabalenka
The defending champion at the Miami Open, who was forced to play her first-round match on a secondary court due to the weather disruptions.
Stephen Ross
The owner of the Miami Dolphins, who struck a 30-year deal to move the Miami Open to Hard Rock Stadium in 2019.
What they’re saying
“I was actually shocked that they were considering canceling my match, or giving me a couple of options of the stadiums. And I was like, 'But what's the problem for Alcaraz and Fonseca to start later?'”
— Aryna Sabalenka
What’s next
The Miami Open organizers will need to evaluate long-term solutions to address the venue's weather vulnerabilities, such as exploring the possibility of adding a retractable roof to Hard Rock Stadium or finding a new permanent home for the tournament.
The takeaway
The Miami Open's weather troubles at Hard Rock Stadium underscore the need for modern tennis facilities to be designed with the ability to withstand unpredictable climate conditions. As major tournaments increasingly face disruptions due to rain, wind, and other extreme weather, the ability to provide adequate weather protection for players and fans has become a critical consideration for the future of the sport.
