Taylor Swift fans rush from Miami airport to stadium for merch
MIAMI — Charmaine Brown flew in from Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday morning, excited to grab some Taylor Swift merchandise at the Hard Rock Stadium before heading to her hotel.
“I got on the plane at 6 a.m.,” Brown shared outside the stadium, holding two bags full of Taylor Swift hoodies and t-shirts. Next to her was her bright red carry-on bag as she called for an Uber. The devoted fan wore a striking red t-shirt that said, “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs coming straight home to me,” paired with a sweatshirt from “All Too Well” tied around her waist.
“I took my first picture at 11:03 a.m., and my last one at 12:09 p.m.,” she said, showcasing her latest snapshots. “I’m beyond excited for the concert. I can’t wait, and I hope Taylor knows just how much we appreciate everything she does for us.”
The merchandise line at the stadium opened its doors at 10 a.m., and numerous fans showed up early. Security staff were directing cars into the parking lot as joyful fans gathered at the metal detectors outside the stadium. Some of them sported Swift’s tour merchandise from previous stops. Security then guided fans in groups of 20 to 40 up the stairs to a lengthy line inside the venue, which twisted back and forth. Those arriving around noon faced a wait of over 1-2 hours.
“I feel secure,” Brown remarked. “There’s an abundance of security. It’s great, and I’m here alone. I can’t wait for my show tomorrow.”
The Eras Tour merchandise shop will remain open for public access on Thursday until 8 p.m. People without tickets must enter through Gate 2, while ticket holders can access the store from 4:30 p.m. to midnight on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
You need a valid ticket to be on-site
The security at Hard Rock Stadium is strictly regulating entry for fans without tickets for any of Swift’s three-night performances in Miami Gardens. A prepaid parking pass along with a concert ticket is mandatory for those wishing to park on site.
“There are NO listening areas outside the stadium for individuals without concert tickets,” the website indicates. There will be multiple layers of security perimeters and ticket verification checkpoints ensuring only ticket holders can enter. “Fans will need to scan their ticket as they go through each security checkpoint. Expect to have your ticket scanned multiple times to gain access to the stadium.”
These security protocols might be the toughest ever seen at any American concert following a foiled terrorist plot in Vienna last August. The latest Eras Tour stop in London also heightened safety measures.
Here are the times ticketholders should be aware of:
- Parking gates open | 3:30 p.m.
- Stadium
- Gates open | 4:30 p.m.
- Show starts | 7 p.m.
Next week, Swift will visit New Orleans and conclude the U.S. leg of her tour in Indianapolis from November 1-3. She will then finish the tour with two performances in Canada in late November and early December.
