Now that the 2022 NFL schedule has been released, out-of-state Miami Dolphins fans can proceed with travel plans, accommodations, PTO requests and long weekends in South Florida.
One of the more enjoyable aspects of football for any fan is planning which matchups they’re heading to, but specifically in the Dolphins community, Fan Club Weekend has always been a highlighted game.
Last season, prior to the game against the Houston Texans in Week 9, Dolphins fans from all over Florida and the world flocked to several gatherings, including a memorable night at Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill, and, of course, the victory the next day.
It’s a weekend where names and faces are brought together from social media interactions, and even podcasting co-hosts met for the first time. 2021’s weekend was an absolute hit, and it just so happened to be the start of a seven-game win streak on the field for the Dolphins.
The weekend was so successful that it led to a week-long stay for many Dolphins fanatics, as five days later, another win came in the form of demolition of the Baltimore Ravens.
As for 2022, Week 6 is the one to circle for fans. This game sees the Minnesota Vikings coming to Miami following a two-game road trip that includes a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals and a trip to their AFC East rivals, the New York Jets.
It will be a welcome homecoming following a tough opening slate of games and similarly to last year, there is a national, primetime game following Fan Club Weekend, the Pittsburgh Steelers come to town for a Week 7 Sunday Night Football game with the Dolphins.
Like last year, two straight home games, one being in prime time could be a spark much like last season was. The only hope is that this year’s version of the Dolphins avoids a start like 2021, which saw a seven-game losing streak after the season opener.
Game action aside, fan weekend is one that many die-hard Fin fans take a lot of pride and excitement in. 2020 Dolphin Fan of the Year Ian Berger, also known as “Big E” is a mainstay at any home game, and he had fond memories of past weekends.
“My favorite part of Fan Club Weekend is meeting up with other Dolphins fans from around the world the night before the game,” Berger said. “Last season we met at Bokampers and there were hundreds of Fins fans in attendance. Getting a chance to meet other passionate Fin fans is always a great time!”
Miami’s fanbase is loaded with super fans like Berger and Allie Goodman, also known as, “Dolphreaky.” She shares “Big E’s” excitement.
“Fan Club Weekend is always the best weekend of the season,” Goodman shared. “Fans from all over the world come out to party hard and celebrate our shared love of the Dolphins!”
You never know what will happen when this fanbase comes together to celebrate aqua and orange.
“There’s so much going on,” Goodman said. “Last year I hosted a tailgate wedding!”
While Goodman and Berger are Floridians, many fans like “Big Mike,” as he’s known on Twitter, are out-of-staters, so that comes with a bit longer of a commute to the stadium, but it’s not a worry for Dolphins die-hards.
“You have fans from all over coming down for this event, and it’s a wild, well-worth-it weekend,” Big Mike stated.
The Vikings will come to Hard Rock Stadium on October 16 for a 1:00 p.m. ET game, along with fan groups from all over the globe. With excitement at, arguably, an all-time high, expect many Dolphins faithful to flock to Florida for Fan Club Weekend.
