by Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

You think the Brazilians cheering for Joao Fonseca was loud at the Miami Open? Just wait until he plays a December 8 exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz at loanDepot Park, the home of the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball, branded “The Miami Invitational.”

Fonseca, the Brazilian super star, will face Alcaraz, the 2025 French and U.S. Open champion, in the headliner match in this one-night exhibition that also features Amanda Anisimova, the 2025 Wimbledon and U.S. Open runner-up, and 2021 U.S. Open champion

The match will start at 7 pm ET with each match being two sets and match tiebreaker for a third set. The announcement came from Unified Events and loanDepot park.

The presale for the Miami Invitational will begin at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, and tickets will be open to the public at 10 a.m. on Oct. 3. Tickets will be available for purchase at Tickets.com. Fans can register at Marlins.com/MiamiInvitational for access to the exclusive presale.

“I love playing in Miami – the fans always bring incredible energy. I’m thrilled to take the court for this first-ever event at loanDepot park, with João, Amanda, and Emma,” Alcaraz wrote in a statement.

Added Anisimova in a statement: “Playing in my hometown at loanDepot park with these stars is going to be incredible. Miami always delivers the biggest events, and I can’t wait for December!”

loanDepot park is also set to host the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 2, when the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers face the New York Rangers in the first outdoor NHL game held in Florida.

“Bringing four of the top talents in the sport of tennis in Carlos Alcaraz, João Fonseca, Amanda Anisimova and Emma Raducanu to loanDepot park for this first-ever event places South Florida at the center court of the global sports stage,” Marlins president of business Caroline O’Connor wrote in a statement. “By hosting this premier exhibition, we reinforce our standing as the ultimate destination for the most prestigious events in sports and entertainment, and we’re honored to showcase our ability to deliver world-class experiences for all major events at our one-of-a-kind venue.”

Alcaraz, Raducanu and Anisimova will play an exhibition the night before their Miami event at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, with Frances Tiafoe slated to play againt Alcaraz.The Miami Invitational will be held on the same night that Madison Square Garden hosts an exhibition in New York City featuring Tommy Paul against Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka playing Naomi Osaka.