The FIFA World Cup is officially running hot in our city with Scotland and Brazil heading to Miami Stadium on Wednesday, and the Marlins just swept the Giants at home heading into a Rangers series. It is a loud, busy, electric week in the 305. Let's get into it.

— Matthew Larsen

Miami-Dade Unanimously Approves Long-Awaited Mental Health Center – The Miami-Dade County Commission voted unanimously on June 17 to open the Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery, more than two decades after voters first approved its creation. The seven-story, 181,000-square-foot facility in the city of Miami has sat finished but empty since 2023, and will now divert people with serious mental illness from county jails into treatment.

West Miami-Dade Wildfires Near Full Containment After Burning 19,000+ Acres – The Quarry 2 and Well fires that tore through western Miami-Dade this past week burned more than 19,000 acres combined, forcing evacuations, shutting down portions of Florida's Turnpike and Krome Avenue, and triggering air quality alerts across the region. As of Sunday the Coptic Fire was 60 percent contained, and southbound Turnpike lanes have been reopened.

SW Miami-Dade Carjacking Spree Leaves Multiple Victims Hospitalized, Suspect Arrested – A man was beaten and stabbed near Bird Road and his car stolen on the night of June 18, triggering a chain of armed robberies and carjackings across southwest Miami-Dade. Alejandro Martinez, 33, was arrested after a foot chase and now faces attempted felony murder and multiple armed robbery charges.

Florida Property Tax Amendment Heads to November Ballot – Florida lawmakers passed the "Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes" amendment on June 2, sending it to the November 3 ballot. If voters approve it by a 60 percent supermajority, the homestead exemption would rise from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, wiping out non-school property taxes for roughly 60 percent of Florida homesteaded owners.

Miami Beach Officer Recovering After ATV Crash in South Beach – Officer Miona Mijalkovic was critically injured on June 17 when her ATV rolled after striking a curb at Ninth Street and Meridian Avenue while racing to respond to a burglary in progress. She has since stabilized and is expected to recover, with the department expressing gratitude for community support.

Casemiro Agrees to Join Inter Miami After Manchester United Exit – Brazilian midfield anchor Casemiro has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to join Inter Miami after leaving Manchester United as a free agent, choosing Miami over the LA Galaxy and Saudi Pro League interest. The 34-year-old is expected to arrive following the World Cup, joining Messi, De Paul, and Berterame in what is shaping up to be one of the deepest squads in MLS history.

Miami-Dade Commission Moves to Seize Fuel Facility at Fisher Island – Commissioners voted to authorize Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to use eminent domain to acquire a critical marine fuel facility on Fisher Island after the property was purchased by a Chicago developer planning to demolish it for luxury condo towers. The facility is essential to PortMiami operations and the county says it cannot risk losing it.

Frederica Wilson's Congressional Seat Draws Crowded Field – Seven Democrats are competing in the August primary to succeed longtime Rep. Frederica Wilson, who is stepping back after more than a decade representing Florida's 24th Congressional District. Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert is among the candidates, and whoever wins the primary in this heavily Democratic district is widely expected to win the general.

US Men's National Team Beats Australia 2-0, Advances in World Cup Group Stage – Team USA dismantled Australia 2-0 on June 19, continuing their strong run through the group stage after an opening 4-1 rout of Paraguay. South Florida watch parties erupted across the city and the US needs only a draw against Turkey on June 25 to clinch first in Group D.

Florida Panthers Represented at 2026 Milan Olympics – Multiple Panthers players will represent their national teams at the Milan Cortina Olympics, with teammates on opposite sides of several matchups including the men's gold medal game between Team USA and Canada. The Panthers' roster is being watched as one of the most internationally decorated in the league.

Mon, Jun 22, 7pm: Lowertown and Truman Sinclair at Lincoln's Beard – An indie double bill at Lincoln's Beard Brewing in Little River, one of the city's better spots to catch emerging artists in a no-nonsense setting. Tickets available on Ticketmaster.

Mon, Jun 22: Marlins vs. Rangers at loanDepot park – Miami opens a three-game home series against the Texas Rangers with first pitch at 6:40pm. Grab tickets at marlins website., and note that Kaseya Center is steps away if you want to make a night of it in downtown.

Mon, Jun 22: FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park – The World Cup fan festival runs through July 5 at Bayfront Park in downtown, with free entry, giant screens showing all matches, live entertainment, and food and beverage vendors turning the bayfront into a global gathering. Free and open to all ages.

Tue, Jun 23, outdoor: High Fade at Miami Beach Bandshell – Scottish rock act High Fade plays the Bandshell the night before Scotland faces Brazil at Miami Stadium, making this one of those rare moments where the concert and the sports calendar perfectly overlap. Part of the Rhythm of the Cup World Cup concert series.

Tue, Jun 23, 10am: Jambox at North Miami Public Library – A free, recurring summer music and movement program for kids and families every Tuesday morning at the North Miami Public Library on NE 132nd Street. No registration required.

Wed, Jun 24, 6pm: Scotland vs. Brazil at Miami Stadium – Miami hosts what is likely the Group C marquee clash at Hard Rock Stadium, now operating as Miami Stadium for the World Cup. Secondary market tickets are still available for this one if you want to be in the building.

Wed, Jun 24: Marlins vs. Rangers at loanDepot park, 12:10pm – Day game to close the Rangers series, a good option if you want baseball without the evening heat. Tickets at marlins website.

Wed, Jun 24: Mochakk and Barry Can't Swim at Club Space – A back-to-back from two of the most in-demand names in underground house and dance music right now, playing Club Space in downtown Miami. Tickets available online.

Wed, Jun 24, 5:30pm: Dayme Arocena at Faena Theater – Cuban jazz vocalist Dayme Arocena performs at the gilded Faena Theater in Mid-Beach, one of the best intimate music rooms in the city. Tickets available at the Faena Theater box office.

Thu, Jun 25, 7pm: Palomino Blond and Cypher at Churchill's Pub – A local rock and punk lineup at Churchill's Pub in Little Haiti, Miami's longest-running dive bar and one of the few remaining venues that actually belongs to the city. Tickets available online.

Fri, Jun 26: Thievery Corporation and City of the Sun at Miami Beach Bandshell – Electronic trip-hop legends Thievery Corporation headline the Bandshell as part of the World Cup concert series. Outdoor, bayside, and one of the marquee shows of the week.

Fri-Sun, Jun 26-28: Marlins at Cardinals in St. Louis – The Fish are on the road this weekend if you are following along at home. First pitch Friday at 7:15pm CT on Bally Sports.

Fri, Jun 26: Gorgon City at LIV Nightclub – UK house duo Gorgon City plays LIV at 11pm for a proper late-night set on South Beach. Tickets at ticketmaster’s website.

Ongoing: Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits at Frost Science – Frost Science's summer exhibition at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science downtown covers the science behind wingsuit flying, freediving, parkour, and ice climbing with hands-on interactive stations. Included with museum admission.

Ongoing: Documents of Freedom Exhibit at HistoryMiami – A rare traveling exhibit of founding documents including a William Stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence, oaths signed by Washington and Hamilton, and early Constitution drafts is on display at HistoryMiami Museum in downtown. Included with museum admission.

Fooq's, Little River – The beloved Persian-influenced restaurant from restaurateur David Foulquier reopened in January 2026 at 150 NW 73rd Street in Little River, returning after a four-year hiatus in a dramatically expanded 14,000-square-foot, two-story compound. The restaurant runs Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30pm to 11pm, with a vinyl lounge called Lion's Den upstairs on weekends.

Stand, Coral Gables – A 24-seat Japanese kissaten from the team behind Michelin-starred Shingo opened June 4 at 98 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, serving matcha, single-origin coffee, and sandos on housemade milk bread by day with plans to transition into an evening izakaya later this year.

Manoli, Coconut Grove – A new Greek restaurant from Michelin-trained chef Emmanouil Aslanoglou opened this summer at 3540 Main Hwy, serving shared plates built on family recipes including saganaki, lamb chops, and tableside baklava from a dessert trolley. The 140-seat space runs in white tones and soft blues.

Casa Tua Cucina, Wynwood – The storied Italian marketplace Casa Tua Cucina has opened a second Miami location in Wynwood with its housemade pasta and wood-fired grill, bringing a reliably polished experience to the neighborhood's evolving dining corridor.

A 25-Year South Beach Restaurant Is Closing by June 27 – An unidentified South Beach institution of 25 years is closing its doors by June 27, 2026 to make way for hotel development. No announcement of a successor tenant has been made yet, closing a chapter on one of the beach's longest-running dining legacies.

Gangnam, Brickell – A new casual Korean spot has landed in Brickell with lunch specials built around beef bulgogi rice bowls, jeyuk bokkeum, pork dumplings, and Korean BBQ platters at approachable prices.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Brickell – The New York ice cream cult favorite has opened its second Miami location at Mary Brickell Village, this time offering frozen yogurt alongside its signature flavors, which the original South Beach outpost does not.

Scotland vs. Brazil at Miami Stadium, June 24, 6pm – One of the World Cup's most anticipated Group C matchups lands at Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday, with Brazil looking to build on their 3-0 rout of Haiti and Scotland fighting to avoid elimination after losing to Morocco. Secondary market tickets are still available if you want to experience this in person.

Marlins Sweep Giants in Three Games at Home – Miami took all three games from San Francisco over the weekend, including a 4-3 win Friday, a 6-3 win Saturday, and a 2-1 close on Sunday. The Fish host the Texas Rangers for a three-game series starting Monday at loanDepot park.

USA Advances in World Cup Group D After 2-0 Win Over Australia – Team USA put away Australia convincingly on June 19, moving to the top of Group D ahead of their decisive showdown with Turkey on June 25 in Los Angeles. Miami locals who want to watch can catch the 10pm kickoff at the FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park.

Casemiro Bound for Inter Miami After World Cup – The five-time Champions League winner agreed verbally to join Inter Miami after leaving Manchester United as a free agent, with the move set to be finalized after the World Cup ends in July. He will not occupy a Designated Player slot but the signing marks another significant arrival in what is becoming one of global soccer's most watched rosters.

Colombia vs. Portugal at Miami Stadium on June 27, 7:30pm – Miami's next home World Cup match arrives Saturday, with Colombia and Portugal squaring off in what should be a high-voltage Group F closer. Tickets available through FIFA's official channels.

Mon, Jun 22 – Partly cloudy, high 90°F, low 81°F, 30% chance of afternoon storms.

Tue, Jun 23 – Partly cloudy, high 90°F, low 81°F, 30% chance of afternoon rain.

Wed, Jun 24 – Partly cloudy and humid, high 90°F, low 82°F, 30% chance of scattered storms.

Thu, Jun 25 – Mostly sunny, high 90°F, low 81°F, 25% chance of late afternoon storms.

Fri, Jun 26 – Partly cloudy, high 90°F, low 81°F, 30% chance of afternoon showers.

Sat, Jun 27 – Partly cloudy, high 90°F, low 81°F, 30% chance of storms.

Sun, Jun 28 – Partly cloudy, high 90°F, low 81°F, 30% chance of afternoon showers.

Fooq's, Little River – The Persian-influenced restaurant that Miami missed for four years is back at 150 NW 73rd Street in Little River with a sprawling two-story compound, a 200-seat dining room built on warmth and hippie-chic aesthetics, and wood-fired Mediterranean plates that hold up to the nostalgia. Reservations go fast but are available via Resy.

FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park, Downtown – The official World Cup Fan Festival is free to enter at Bayfront Park through July 5, with 88 match broadcasts on giant screens, live music and cultural performances, food vendors, and family-friendly activities spread across 436,000 square feet of downtown waterfront. No tickets needed.

Dayme Arocena at Faena Theater, Mid-Beach – The Faena Theater at 3201 Collins Avenue is one of Miami's most atmospheric rooms, gilded and intimate, and Cuban jazz vocalist Dayme Arocena performing there on Wednesday night makes it an obvious choice for a memorable evening. Tickets at Faena's box office.

Little River – The stretch along NW 73rd Street and NE 2nd Avenue just north of the Design District has quietly become one of Miami's most interesting neighborhoods to watch, with Fooq's anchoring the dining scene, Pizza Tropical relocated to a new patio home, and new zoning changes opening the door to denser development in the years ahead. It rewards a slow drive and a walk.

Camp Miami and the Spanish-American War, June 24, 1898 – On this day in 1898, the first of seven thousand soldiers arrived in the two-year-old City of Miami to form Camp Miami, a training ground for troops bound for Cuba during the Spanish-American War. The war ended before any Camp Miami soldier saw combat, but the episode marked one of the young city's earliest national moments.

Carl Fisher, Miami Beach Visionary – Carl Fisher was the Indiana-born entrepreneur and showman who transformed an uninhabitable mangrove island into America's winter playground in the 1910s and 1920s, dredging the bay and building the hotels and polo grounds that gave Miami Beach its identity. His famous Times Square billboard reading "It's always June in Miami" still lands differently when you are actually living it.