David Beckham's Miami football stadium complex clears hurdle

Billion-dollar price tag to house Inter Miami CF will include club's stadium, retail shops, hotels and community fields

David Beckham's original Los Angeles Galaxy contract included a clause where he could buy an MLS franchise at a steeply discounted price. Getty Images / AFP

Beckham watches warm-ups before the match between Inter Miami CF and CF Montreal at DRV PNK Stadium. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

Beckham was once named 'People' magazine's 'Sexiest Man of the Year'. Getty Images

Beckham and wife Victoria pose by their private jet. Photo: Instagram @victoriabeckham

David and Victoria Beckham at the royal wedding in Windsor, southern England in May 2018. AFP

David and Victoria Beckham. Reuters

David and Victoria Beckham arrive for the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. AFP

The Beckham family at the Junior London Marathon. Getty Images

Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat greets Beckham and his daughter, Harper, at a game in Miami, Florida. AFP

The Beckham family. Photo: Instagram

The Beckhams attend the wedding of Real Madrid football player Sergio Ramos and Pilar Rubio in Seville, Spain. Getty Images

Beckham with some of his children in the front row for the catwalk show by fashion house Victoria Beckham. AFP

Inter Miami forward Gonzalo Higuain dribbles past Nelson Jhonny Cabanillas Jesus of Club Universitario de Deportes. AFP

English football manager Phil Neville joined David Beckham's Inter Miami as manager in 2021. AP

Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana reacts after scoring his third goal of the game against the New England Revolution during the second half at DRV PNK Stadium. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

Inter Miami defender DeAndre Yedlin, centre rear, celebrates a goal by forward Leonardo Campana, centre, against Atlanta United during the first half of an MLS football match. AP

Inter Miami midfielder Emerson Rodriguez and Atlanta United defender George Campbell compete for the ball during a football match in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AP

Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville directs his players from the sideline during the first half of an MLS football match against the Chicago Fire. AP

David Beckham watches an MLS match against Los Angeles FC in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AP

Inter Miami forward Robbie Robinson passes the ball as New England Revolution forward DeJuan Jones defends during a football match in April. AP

Gonzalo Higuain of Inter Miami CF runs with the ball against Toronto FC. AFP

English football star David Beckham's plans to construct a sprawling football complex have been cleared after Miami city commissioners gave Inter Miami CF the green light.

The city voted 4-1 in favour of authorising lease agreements that will allow Beckham and his partners to develop the complex.

The $1 billion project will redevelop the city's Melreese Country Club near Miami International Airport. Called “Miami Freedom Park”, it will include a 25,000-seat stadium, 750 hotel rooms, retail shops and community fields.

At over 23 hectares, it will become the city's largest park.

In an Instagram post, Beckham thanked fans for their “support, patience and passion".

“Your dream is a reality,” he wrote on Thursday night.

“Finally I want to thank Jorge and Jose Mas and the whole Mas family for believing in my dream and making it a reality.”

Jorge and Jose Mas are co-owners of the Major League Soccer club alongside Beckham.

Miami city Mayor Francis Suarez said the project will “put us once again on the world stage”. Mr Suarez also argued Miami deserved to be a host for the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the US, Mexico and Canada.

“We not only deserve that — we should be the headquarters for Fifa and the World Cup in 2026,” he said.

Managing owner Jorge Mas said the project would be privately financed. The stadium itself will cost $350 million.

Tax payers will contribute “zero dollars” and the city will recoup $2.6bn over 99 years during the agreement, Mr Suarez said in an interview with Fox News.

Inter Miami made its MLS debut in 2020 after being granted an expansion spot two years earlier.

The club currently plays at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The club will maintain permanent facilities in the southern Florida city and continue to play matches at DRV PNK Stadium while the club constructs Miami Freedom Park, Inter Miami said in statement.

Bloomberg contributed to this report