Last Chance to See Magic City in Person is Now!
On July 1, 2018, Magic City Jai-alai opened its doors for the first performance. Recruiting a bunch of former Florida college athletes who had never heard of jai-alai, much less pronounce it, were shocked to receive an email about becoming a professional jai alai player. Is this a joke they asked?
No, it wasn’t. Now over seven years later, the jai alai operations will have to move to a new location. The original owners sold the casino but were allowed to keep the jai alai operations going in what use to be a music venue for a couple more years. They are moving three miles to the north – ironically to the “Yankee Stadium” of jai-alai – Miami jai-alai! Yes, that Miami jai alai now called Miami Casino. Live jai alai came to an end about 4 years ago and the fronton has hosted Don King boxing matches.
There will be a different twist to this version of jai alai. Yes, the 100-year-old cancha is still intact with its granite front wall but a odd twist is now taking place. A glass wall has been installed – roughly the existing serving line – to make it closer to the 130-foot length of Magic City jai alai. The original cancha is around 175 feet long. The original side wall will be used and the front wall, but the back wall will be all glass. No one knows yet how the court will play – they are soon to be testing balls to see what works best.
Why don’t they just go back to “real” jai alai, detractors ask. Management wants a faster paced game to complete in the gambling world. Today, betters want instant gratification like a slot machine. They also like the camera angles you get thru the clear glass vs. a camera off to the side and up high.
There are only 4 weeks left at Magic City – counting the two playoff weekends, and with spectators only allowed in on Friday nights (lets hope this changes), the fronton is open this Friday November 21st, the 28th, and then the playoffs on December 5th and 12th. All starting at 7pm. So if you want to see it live and in person, time is quickly running out.
The opening at Miami Casino will be in February and is on schedule. A late summer tournament for the pros and amateurs is also in the works.
