C7J - Sponsor 2026 Wodapalooza Event, $800k

Resolutions - C7 J

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt the Resolution.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

Historically, the month of March has been a period when the increased impact of visitors placed added stress on Citywide services, as well as on residents who live in and around the Art Deco Cultural District (ACDC). This period is defined as high-impact and spans a seven-week period, including the month of March and the first two weeks of April. Within the seven weeks, the second and third weekends in March have been identified as having the highest number of visitors and incidents. During this period, the Miami Beach Police, Fire, Code Compliance, and Sanitation departments have enhanced staffing in the ADCD area.

In March 2023, the City programmed the month of March with fitness and cultural activations under the Miami Beach Live! initiative, a City-sponsored program directed by the City Commission via Resolution No. 2022-32363, to engage with and contract various event producers and provide special event sponsorship incentives for Miami Beach Live!.

The theme of fitness was the focus of the month-long program aimed at replicating the impact that the Arts economy has on Miami Beach during Art Week Miami Beach. The connection between cultural and sporting activities as key drivers of economic impact, attracting visitors, and generating income served as a programming blueprint.

Fitness Festival in March On April 3, 2024, at the request of Commissioner David Suarez, the Mayor and City Commission referred a discussion item (C4 J) to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC), regarding a fitness festival in March 2025 or 2026. The referral memorandum recommended the Administration to engage prominent fitness organizations, television programs, and brands such as CrossFit, American Ninja Warrior, Hyrox, Wodapalooza and RedBull to explore potential

collaborations. The inclusion of such entities would potentially elevate the Festival’s profile, attract high-caliber participants and spectators, and enhance the overall experience for attendees. On March 22, 2024, members of FERC discussed the Event proposal to activate the Lummus Park beachfront in March 2025. The FERC voted on a favorable recommendation to the April 3, 2024, City Commission meeting for discussion.

At the June 28, 2024, FERC meeting, staff presented initial research into the feasibility of programming for a Fitness Festival in March 2025. The Administration recommended focusing discussions on the production of a fitness event for March 2026. The FERC passed a favorable recommendation for the City Commission to direct the Administration to negotiate with the relevant vendors to bring a Fitness Festival during March 2026 and to make a budget priority during the FY 2025 and FY 2026 budget process.

On July 12, 2024, at the FERC Budget Workshop, the Committee recommended a fitness festival activation in March 2026 for $ 1.4 million. The funding would be allocated from the existing Large-Scale Community Events budget ($606,000). The Administration would set aside $500,000 allocated annually in FY 2025 and FY 2026 for $ 1.0 million from the Large-Scale Community Events budget. The remaining $400,000 would be identified through sponsorship or the FY 2026 budget development process.

At the July 24, 2024, City Commission meeting, the Mayor and City Commission accepted the favorable recommendation from the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee at its June 28, 2024, meeting, and directed the Administration to proceed to engage with the relevant vendors to bring a Fitness Festival during March 2026 and to make a budget priority during the FY 2025 and FY 2026 budget process via Resolution# 2024-3318 (attached).

After the July 24, 2024, City Commission meeting, where the Mayor and City Commission approved the Administration to engage with relevant vendors to activate during March 2026, Staff engaged the event organizers behind two major fitness events, Wodapalooza and HYROX to activate the second and third weekends in March in the Lummus Park beachfront. Having both events on back-to-back weekends allows for the creation of a “Fitness Week,” in Miami Beach.

At the June 25, 2025, City Commission meeting, the Mayor and City Commission approved via Resolution #2025-33742 (attached) the March 2026 special event programming in Lummus Park and Lummus Park beachfront, which included Wodapalooza on the second weekend from March 12 -15, 2026, on the Lummus Park beachfront 7-10 streets, as part of the Miami Beach Fitness week.

ANALYSIS

The Wodapalooza (WZA) festival began as a grassroots single-day fitness competition in Miami’s Bayfront Park with 145 athletes and 500 spectators in 2012 and has since established itself as the world’s premier Functional Fitness Festival. Wodapalooza descends on Miami Beach for 4 days and brings together thousands of athletes, spectators, and fitness fanatics to celebrate fitness, community, and life.

There are multiple parts to the festival; the fitness competition for all backgrounds & levels, the Gauntlet, and the spectator experience, which includes one of the largest collections of vendors & exhibitors as well as spectator workouts & seminars. All set on the beautiful backdrop of Miami Beach, the Wodapalooza has become a calendar staple for the fitness community and a winter getaway for athletes from around the world. The Festival is a multi-day event that brings together fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and spectators to celebrate health, wellness, and athleticism.

The Wodapalooza Fitness Festival took place for the first time on Miami Beach from January 11, 2025, through January 30, 2025, including load-in and load-out. The Festival was held at Lummus Park Beachfront between 6th Street and 10th Street, showcasing various fitness competitions, vendor expos, and community activities, drawing thousands of participants and spectators to the City of Miami Beach.

March 2026 The Wodapalooza Fitness Festival has been incentivized by the City to bring their festival as part of “Miami Beach Fitness Week” the second weekend in March 12-15, 2026, in the Lummus Park beachfront from 7 through 10 streets.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, the Event Organizer shall provide Sponsor with sixteen (16) Sponsor passes allowing entry to all Festival events. All complimentary tickets provided by an event/event producer shall be consistent with the City Commission established policy for the distribution of tickets. Additionally, the Event Organizer shall provide the public benefits listed below.

Public Benefits

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Free Fitness Festival Thursday o The first day of the festival & competition, Thursday, March 12th, will remain open to all from open until closing. o Miami Beach locals can enjoy participating in festival activities such as seminars, workshops, and workouts, shop the diverse vendor village, spectate the Elite competition, and experience everything the event has to offer. o Please note, attendance Friday to Sunday will remain ticketed.

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Miami Beach Local Discount o Miami Beach residents will be afforded a 30% discount for all spectator ticket types including all ticket types, including weekends, two-day and single day. o Discounted ticket purchases by residents can only be made at the on-site box- office. o Residents will be required to show an ID that lists Miami Beach as their official residence.

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City of Miami Beach Employee Discount o City of MB government employees will be afforded a 50% discount for one (1) spectator ticket of all types including weekend, two-day and single day. o Discounted ticket purchases can only be made at the on-site box-office. o City of MB government employees will be required to show an employee ID explicitly stating their current employee status.

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Special Rate for Wodapalooza Competition On-Site Sign-ups o Residents enjoy 50% off registration for the Gauntlet and other fitness competitions when registering on-site. o Like the discounted spectator tickets, residents can participate at this discounted rate.

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Local Resident Partner Discounts o Miami Beach residents will receive a discount on merchandise and products. o This % and specific deals will be on a brand-by-brand basis, at their discretion. o These deals will be confirmed prior to the event.

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Invite Miami Beach Senior High School for a Field Trip

o

Provide a limited number of tickets to Friday of the event, for high-school students to come learn and experience everything that the Wodapalooza fitness festival has to offer. This will include a behind-the-scenes tour for students, a meet & greet with elite athletes, and a special seminar and workshop, to learn more about the benefits of health and wellness.

o

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Host the Fittest of the South Florida Official Competition o Collaborate with city officials to host the second year of the on-site fitness competition o This would take place on one morning of the event, to be determined format and structure o Residents can come and cheer on their city officials, and enjoy the day’s festivities

During agreement negotiations, the Event Organizer expressed the desire to receive a waiver of special event permitting and square footage fees as part of the City sponsorship.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The fiscal impact of $800,000 to incentivize Wodapalooza for the Miami Beach Fitness Week in March 2026 was allocated in the FY 2025 and FY 2026 budget process via Resolution 2024- 33198, subject to FY 2026 budget approval by the City Commission.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

N/A

CONCLUSION

The Administration recommends approving in substantial form, the special event sponsorship agreement with Wodapalooza and the City for an amount not to exceed $800,000 as part of Miami Beach Fitness Week in March 2026 as approved by the City Commission via Resolution # 2024- 33198, directing the Administration to engage with relevant vendors to bring a fitness festival to the city in March 2026 with funding allocated during the FY 2025 and FY 2026 budget process; and authorizing a waiver of special event permitting and square footage fees; and further authorizing the City Manager and City Clerk to execute the sponsorship agreement, contingent upon FY 2026 budget approval by the City Commission.

Applicable Area

South Beach

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Tourism and Culture

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner David Suarez

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Approve Sponsorship Agmt / Wodapalooza, MB Fitness Week in March 2026. (DS) TC

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)