Miami Real Estate Brokers Capitalize on World Cup Tourism
Key Takeaways
- •Latin American buyers represented 86 percent of foreign purchases across 66 South Florida condo projects.
- •Miami will host seven FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at Hard Rock Stadium.
- •Surf Row in Surfside achieved nearly 50 percent presales at $2,000 per square foot.
South Florida real estate professionals are capitalizing on the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 to attract international buyers, particularly from Latin America, as the market experiences a slowdown.
Daniel Ickowicz of Elite International Realty recently closed a deal with a Brazilian client at Domus Brickell Park, a short-term rental friendly project developed by North Development, led by Ricardo Dunin's Oak Capital and Juan Carlos Tassara's Edifica. The transaction was incentivized with World Cup tickets for contract signers and airline miles through a partnership with Latam Airlines.
Miami will host seven FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, creating opportunities for brokers to engage international visitors during extended stays. Edgardo Defortuna of Fortune International Group noted that buyers typically remain in South Florida for three to four days between games, providing ample time for property viewings and sales presentations.
Recent market data reveals the strength of international demand. Foreign buyers comprised more than half of new development condo sales across 66 South Florida projects during a nearly two-year period from January 2024 through October 2025. Latin American purchasers represented 86 percent of all foreign buyers, with Colombia, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil leading the market.
The weakened dollar has bolstered international purchasing power, according to Fernando de Núñez y Lugones, CEO of Vertical Developments, whose portfolio includes the planned Elle Residences in Edgewater. Ickowicz reports expanding his client outreach to secondary and tertiary Brazilian markets, where investors seek guidance on legal pathways for transferring funds to U.S. real estate investments.
European interest remains robust across multiple markets. At Surf Row, a 24-unit luxury development on Collins Avenue in Surfside, several United Kingdom buyers have purchased units, including three from London's upscale Mayfair district, according to Daniel de la Vega of One Sotheby's International Realty. The project, developed by LD&D and One Capital, has reached nearly 50 percent presales with average pricing of $2,000 per square foot.
Additional developments including Mast Capital's the Perigon in Miami Beach and Cipriani Residences Miami in Brickell have recorded sales to London-based buyers over the past year, demonstrating sustained European investment interest alongside the Latin American buyer surge.
