Basketball is an institution in the United States, and Florida is no exception. Here, the Miami Heat are strongly supported. In its 35-year history, the team has won three NBA championships and played in six finals. It is without doubt one of the most popular NBA teams in the world. It has seen great players such as Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Hardaway and above all 'The King' Lebron James, four-time NBA champion (two here in Miami in 2012 and 2013) and all-time leading scorer! The biggest fans support the team at the FTX Arena, the venue in Biscayne Bay, near Miami Beach. Beneath the banners hanging from the ceiling, the stadium proudly displays its legendary logo of the flaming ball flying through a basketball hoop, stuck to the floor of its court. A small masterpiece. At every game, there's a real American-style show: the mascot, Burnie, who does somersaults between each time-out, the cheerleading show, the kiss cam (the camera targets a couple in the audience who have to exchange a kiss) and lots of entertainment during half-time.
Exterior view of FTX Arena, home of the Heat franchise
- © Felix Mizioznikov / ShutterstockNBA seasons are divided into two parts: the regular season, which runs from October to the end of April, and the playoffs (finals), which last from the end of April to June. Like every year, the full schedule of games for the season is made public in September, giving you plenty of time to book your match in advance.
FTX Arena completely empty after Heat game
- © Tiago Pestana / ShutterstockYou're more likely to see the Heat during the regular season. The team plays 41 home games. However, to see a playoff match, the schedule is revealed at the last minute, depending on the results of the regular season.
On the back of its success, tickets for the Heat are highly sought-after and popular in the NBA world. Tickets are snapped up months in advance and prices can soar very quickly. It's advisable not to wait until the last minute, or to buy your tickets in person.
There are several online ticket booking sites: Ticketmaster (official online seller of NBA tickets); Ticketsnow; Hellotickets (after-sales service in French). Ticket prices vary depending on the match, the day and time and, of course, the seat category. On secondary market sites, the price varies according to the reseller and the method of sending the tickets (e-mail or post).
On average, you should expect to pay more than 20 dollars for a seat at the very top of the hall (visibility leaves something to be desired!) and more than 350 dollars for a seat at the edge of the pitch. It's a good idea to opt for e-ticketing rather than ticket delivery.
NBA tickets can easily be found on official and unofficial websites
- © HENADZI KlLENT / ShutterstockBefore or after the match, the Bayside Marketplace shopping centre is the perfect place to shop, with all its big names and restaurants. To celebrate the Heat's victory, head for Brickell City Centre, where you can enjoy a drink in one of the rooftop bars. Alternatively, take to the skies on the Sky Views Miami Observation Wheels in Bayfront Park.
Aerial view of FTX in the Downtown district
- © Felix Mizioznikov / ShutterstockThe Arena is located on Biscayne Boulevard, one of Miami's main thoroughfares. The traffic here is very heavy, and the traffic jams between the Miamians on their way to work and the hordes of tourists can quickly become unpleasant.
Finding a parking space is no easy task. The best plan is to park in the Bayside Marketplace shopping centre car park. Expect to pay around $30 during Heat matches.
Whenever possible, it's best to get to the venue by public transport: bus or the metromover (an elevated train - Park West or Freedom Tower stop). The venue is a 5-minute walk away).
