Photos by Richard Smith and Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57
loanDepot park 501 Marlins Way Miami, FL 33125
Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 36,742
Fish Depot
The Miami Marlins are a Major League Baseball team that plays in Miami, Florida in loanDepot Park (yes that is the official stylization of the name).
The Marlins began as an expansion team in the 1993 season as the Florida Marlins. From 1993 to 2011 they played in the stadium now known as Hard Rock Stadium, then known as Joe Robbie Stadium.
In 2012, the team moved to loanDepot Park (then known as Marlins Park), their first exclusive home and the first to be designed as a baseball park. As part of an agreement with park owner Miami-Dade County to use the stadium, the franchise also changed its name to the Miami Marlins before the 2012 season.
loanDepot Park is a retractable roof stadium located on the site of the former Miami Orange Bowl in Little Havana about 2 miles west of Downtown Miami. It is the third-smallest stadium in Major League Baseball by official capacity. It often seems even smaller because the upper deck is only used occasionally for big games.
The facility hosted a second-round pool of the 2013 World Baseball Classic, a first-round pool of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, the 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and the championship game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The park also hosts soccer matches, fundraising galas, and other events during the winter. It also hosted the Miami Beach Bowl from 2014 through 2016.
Food & Beverage 4
The concessions offerings at loanDepot Park have a good amount of Latin food, as well as kosher food for the many Jewish fans who live in the South Florida area.
Traditional ballpark fare is available at Top Dogs, the Fowl Pole, Fat Tuesdays, and Magic City BBQ. Latin-inspired foods are available at El Mercadito, PINCHO, Bites de la Calle, and Street Taco.
If you are open to trying new foods, check out the Change Up STAND. This stand offers a test kitchen menu of possible future food offerings at loanDepot Park. The menu is always being rotated so it is a good place to check out every time you attend a Marlins game.
The Family Fav’s Stand has some cheaper, albeit smaller, options. as part of its 305 menu. The Biscayne Brew Hall is located between sections 15/16 and features the Marlin’s lager, as well as an assortment of craft beers.
Atmosphere 4
loanDepot Park has a different look and feel from pretty much any other MLB stadium. It feels like a Miami stadium. and doesn't follow the trends of others. Some may not like that but we find it sort of refreshing.
When the stadium opened, a large art installation in center field was certainly discussed by many people It included all sorts of elements that are suggestive of South Florida. The art installation has now been relocated to the exterior of the ballpark. The stadium has a glass wall that gives you a stunning view of the Downtown Miami skyline.
loanDepot park Glass Panels, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey
The Marlins have several special event nights, including various ethnic heritage nights. The team also has a great Marlins Museum located on the concourse and just like at Disney World, it ends at a souvenir stand.
Neighborhood 3
loanDepot Park is on the edge of the Little Havana section of Miami. There are not many choices in the way of restaurants or entertainment right by the stadium. Of course, Little Havana has many great options to choose from. We are a big fan of trying the Mojitos at Old's Havana AND the Ball & Chain. It is always great to compare...
For many other options, you will need to get far away from the stadium area.
Fans 2
The Marlins don't draw that well. Often the majority of the fans are of the visiting team. It is a very relaxed time at a Marlins game and not a typical baseball environment.
Access 3
I-95 South and I-75 South are relatively nearby, but traffic is likely to be a problem accessing the stadium. The old Orange Bowl location is just not a perfect location for a large amount of fans converging into a location.
loanDepot Park has four parking decks and six surface lots near the stadium. You can prepay for parking but it is easier to just pay by app once parked. It may feel weird not stopping and paying before entering the parking area, but it is a very smooth process. All parking areas offer a full complement of ADA-accessible spaces.
You could walk from Little Havana to a game but that might not solve parking issues, as that area has parking issues of its own.
loanDepot park is served by two Miami-Dade Metrorail stops within a mile of the ballpark (Culmer and Civic Center), the Tri Rail Connection via the Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre Station to MiamiCentral Station, eight other Metrobus routes, and the City of Miami Trolley Route. Another great option is Brightline, which offers free shuttles from their downtown Miami station to and from the game.
Return on Investment 4
Ticket prices are generally on the lower end of MLB stadiums. The secondary market will be a great place to find even cheaper prices.
Parking costs are variable so a weeknight game against a non-traditional opponent may be cheaper than a division. rival on a weekend.
Concession prices are reasonable compared to most MLB ballparks.
Extras 5
loanDepot Park has hosted a few unique events like the World Baseball Classic, and even an NCAA college football bowl game.
loanDepot Park is built on the site of the former Orange Bowl Stadium. There are numerous signs mentioning the history of the stadium.
The Bobblehead Museum, on the concourse, has more than 600 baseball-related statues in a cool display case that keeps the heads bobbling away.
Bobblehead Museum, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey
Billy’s Boathouse has a foam-surface playground that is very safe for the kids to play on. Billy the Marlin is the team's mascot.
The team has bands and cheer squads keeping one engaged in the action. There are often post-game concerts and events so check the team's website before coming to the game.
Final Thoughts
loanDepot Park may never make the top of MLB baseball stadium lists, but it is still an enjoyable place to watch a game in an environment that feels very true to its environment.
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