Credit One Stadium, previously known as The Tennis Stadium at Crandon Park, is a world-class tennis facility located in Miami, Florida. The stadium is best known for hosting the Miami Open, a prestigious ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event and WTA Premier Mandatory tournament. However, Credit One Stadium serves many other purposes throughout the year.
Hosting Major Tennis Events
The main use of Credit One Stadium is to host major professional tennis tournaments. The Miami Open has been held at the stadium every year since 1987. The tournament was founded in 1985 and originally took place at Laver’s International Tennis Resort in Delray Beach, Florida before moving to its current location in Miami. As one of only nine ATP Masters 1000 events, the Miami Open attracts the top-ranked men’s tennis players in the world. Past champions include tennis legends like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Andre Agassi.
The parallel Sony Ericsson Open (now called the Miami Open) for women’s tennis was first held in 1985. Now a WTA 1000 event, the tournament has showcased greats such as Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova, and Victoria Azarenka. The Miami Open is the second-largest tennis tournament outside of the four Grand Slam events.
In addition to the Miami Open, Credit One Stadium has also hosted other professional tournaments. From 1990 to 2000, the venue held the Lipton International Players Championships. Credit One Stadium was one of the main courts used for the US Pro Tennis Championships from 1993 to 1999. Various Davis Cup and Fed Cup ties have also taken place at the stadium.
Concerts and Performances
While tennis is the main focus, the stadium has been used for various concerts and performances over the years. The venue can hold up to 14,000 people, making it ideally suited for musical acts that want an outdoor setting with plenty of capacity. Jimmy Buffett, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, RBD, Andrea Bocelli, and Marc Anthony are some of the top names that have held concerts at Credit One Stadium.
Other kinds of performances have also been hosted at the stadium. In 2007, Credit One Stadium was the site of a campaign rally for Barack Obama during his first presidential run. Many graduation ceremonies take place each year on the grounds of the tennis center. The Miami Open sometimes features opening ceremonies, special performances, or fashion shows in conjunction with the tennis tournament.
Local Sports Teams
Credit One Stadium serves as the part-time home stadium for Miami FC, the city’s professional soccer team. When Miami FC was revived in 2020 as part of the USL Championship league, it used the tennis stadium for its home matches during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Inter Miami CF, the Major League Soccer expansion team owned by David Beckham, also played a couple matches at Credit One Stadium before the completion of their permanent stadium.
The tennis stadium has been used by local college athletic teams as well. The Miami Hurricanes tennis teams host important matches at Credit One Stadium. Their women’s tennis team won the NCAA national championship on the stadium’s main court in 2016. The football team has also held a spring game scrimmage there.
Private Events
Credit One Stadium can be rented out for various private events throughout the year. Meetings, conferences, trade shows, galas, and weddings are examples of private events hosted at the venue. The site offers both indoor and outdoor spaces that can be configured for different needs. Corporate clients like Microsoft, Walmart, and Amway have staged large private parties and business gatherings.
The stadium has ideal spaces for parties, especially the players’ garden and courtyard area which includes fountains and tropical landscaping. Charity events like balls, auctions, and benefits also utilize Credit One Stadium for their programs and guest receptions. The venue has an experienced event planning staff to handle all the details.
Public Tennis Facility
Although primarily a stadium for professional tennis, Credit One Stadium operates as a public tennis center year-round. There are over 30 tennis courts available at the complex. The courts can be booked for hourly rental by residents and visitors looking for a place to play recreational games and practice. Lessons are also available from on-site certified teaching pros.
The public courts attract a mix of hobbyists, high school teams, beginners taking clinics, and competitive players training for tournaments. Special playing opportunities are offered for kids, seniors, wheelchair athletes, and other groups. The cool winter climate of South Florida allows outdoor tennis activity nearly 12 months a year.
Tourist Attraction
Credit One Stadium is a destination for tourists visiting the Miami area. Visitors can take public tours of the stadium complex and museum. Getting an up-close view of the famous main court and grounds is a popular activity. Fans can also visit the tennis center just to dine at the on-site restaurants.
When major tournaments are taking place, the stadium becomes a huge tourist attraction. The Miami Open brings in hundreds of thousands of spectators over the two-week event. Fans come from across the United States and all over the world to see the tournament. It provides a major tourism and economic boost for the region.
Community Amenity
Beyond organized activities, Credit One Stadium also serves as a community amenity for residents of Miami. The beautifully landscaped grounds are open to the public free of charge. People utilize the space for walking, jogging, picnics, and letting kids run around. The fountains and sculptures make it an aesthetically pleasing place for enjoying the outdoors.
The tennis center regularly hosts free events to engage the local community. These include kids’ days, cardio tennis programs, and charitable activities like tennis ball drives. Credit One Stadium aims to promote health, wellness, and active recreation for people of all ages and abilities.
Conclusion
Credit One Stadium has served Miami’s sporting, entertainment, and leisure needs in varied ways since its construction in 1987. While the state-of-the-art tennis facility was built with professional tournaments in mind, it has become much more than that. Concerts, soccer games, private events, public tennis, tourism, and community gatherings are just some of the diverse happenings that take place at Credit One Stadium throughout the year.