JAM Arena to Open Doors with Jai-alai and Much More
JAM Arena to Open Doors with Jai-alai and Much More
Miami: January 28, 2026: The former Miami Jai-alai facility has sat dormant for many years, outside of a very short “season” of jai-alai played yearly before decoupling was approved nearly 5 years ago. The seats were literally falling apart; the old 1988 large TV sets were still showing the live game action in the lobby area with a cashier teller and a few betting machines. The courtside bar still had the Bud and Bud Light taps on the kegerator. Players easily outnumbered the spectators. I remember going one year on Opening Day and in the audience was me, Jesus, and Jeden. All three us loved the game like many of you reading this do . A far cry from the day over 15,000 fans crowded in there for a night performance just after Christmas..
When multibillionaire Phill Ruffin bought the property on December 3, 2018 they had some big plans. Yes, that Phil Ruffin. Good friends with Donald Trump. Owner of the Tresure Island Hotel and Circus Circus in Vegas, many hotel resorts, convenience stores, oil production, and the world’s largest manufacturer of hand trucks. One of the plans was to convert the jai-alai fronton into a Cirque du Soleil while running the bustling casino adjacent to it. Unfortunately,, the pandemic hit, and plans fizzled. Today, the casino looks gorgeous with a pizza parlor, live band stage and much more, but the fronton was falling apart and off limits to anyone to ventured over there.
When Magic City owners sold their property located a couple miles south of (now known as Magic City Casino) to an Indian Tribe, they had to move out by December 31, 2025. The Havenick family had operated the facility under “West Flagler Associates” as a dog track for over 71 years and was sold to the Alabama based Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Oddly, they went into the jai-alai business even though they didn’t have to.
Looking for a new home, they turned to the Miami Casino. The fronton was dormant while everything else had slot machine action and more going on daily. Scott Savin and company turned to Dan Licciardi, the GM and VP of Casino Miami. Dan has had a long history in jai-alai – and he was even involved in the purchase of the glass court for Magic City! A deal was worked out after Magic City had offers from Vegas and even Rhone Island (if I recall correctly) to move the World Jai-alai operations to their vacant Fronton.
A deal was reached and has been named the JAM Arena, short for Jai-alai Miami. It is undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation and rebranding project that is designed for a new era and a modern consumer. The 1,500-seat arena will feature state-of-the-art audience amenities including VIP courtside seating and family-friendly sports challenge activations designed to create an immersive fan experience.
The jai-alai court will be 6 feet longer than the Magic City court and a new ball has been found that is similar to the Calder ja-alai ball. They will use the existing front and side walls and have added a new glass back wall that is fully installed. Management and players alike are very happy with it. Previous stories on this are located on this website. Jai-alai is returning the original fronton that is now 100 years old!
You can now purchase VIP courtside seats for $15 or for an additional $15 fans can upgrade their night with a “complimentary” beverage and “free” valet parking.
The public is only allowed in the building Friday nights for jai-alai. The very first day they will be open with live sports betting is Tuesday, February 10th . The first day you can watch live is Friday, February 13th at 7pm. The “Chargers” will play the “Cyclones”.
Jai-alai is not the only thing scheduled to be held there. Live bands, other sporting events and live comedy shows with the first one immediately following the jai-alai matches at 10pm. Whitney Cummings and the Big Baby Tour will take place. Seats are $79 and $99 with reserved seats on sale now.
Lets all support them and we wish them the best of luck!
