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The Sahara Arena is the basketball arena on the downtown waterfront of Vice City, and fans match it to Miami’s Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat. It has only been seen from outside. Its real-world twin, meanwhile, now carries a “Welcome to Vice City” sign under what local reports describe as a Miami-Dade County deal. Rockstar has not commented.
Where it appears
| Where | What you see | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Trailer 1, about 0:25 | The arena from the highway at night, under overhead signs for Stockyard, Downtown and the VCI airport; community wikis identify the building | reported |
| Official screenshot | A night aerial of its lit, angular facade, with a Ferris wheel and the bay behind it and The Sumerian hotel in the foreground | official |
| Extended Look, about 18:39 | In the background of a city shot, per community wikis | reported |
The screenshot shows “sahara arena” lettering on the building and a big “Narcos” banner on its corner. Community wikis call the home team the Vice City Narcos and say the naming rights belong to Sahara, an in-game delivery company. reported
The real “Welcome to Vice City” sign
On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, pink-and-white “Welcome to Vice City” letters were lifted by helicopter, one by one, onto the roof of the Kaseya Center. Here is what has been reported: reported
| Detail | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Size | About 4,690 square feet, on about 21,000 pounds of new steel | DesignRush |
| Price | About $975,000 to Miami-Dade County; WLRN and Local10 say close to $1 million | DesignRush, WLRN, Local10 |
| Who approved it | Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, under her power to sign contracts under $1 million, so no commission vote | WLRN |
| Where the money goes | County land behind the arena, likely a park | WLRN |
| How long it stays | One year after installation or through the Heat’s final 2026-27 home game on April 11, 2027, whichever is later | DesignRush, citing county paperwork |
| Who it is for | Passengers flying into Miami International and TV cameras at Heat broadcasts | DesignRush, CBS Miami |
Not everyone signed off happily. Commissioner Juan Carlos Bermudez said the money should go to the sheriff’s office instead, and Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis said she would have appreciated more information. Commissioner Keon Hardemon, whose district includes the arena, called it a coming marketing phenomenon. Rockstar has made no public statement. Our news story on the sign has the full timeline.
Real-world inspiration
The Kaseya Center opened in 1999 on Biscayne Boulevard as the American Airlines Arena. Like the Sahara Arena, it sits on the bay beside a waterfront Ferris wheel, across the water from the cruise port the game turns into VC Port. Community wikis note one difference: the game gives the facade heavy stylized lighting where the real arena has plain black fins. rumor Every other Miami match is on the real-life locations list.
Can you go to a game?
Not announced. Nobody has shown the arena’s interior, a crowd or a scoreboard.
Precedent. GTA V’s Maze Bank Arena in Los Santos was scenery in story mode and only opened up years later, as the venue for GTA Online’s Arena War update in 2018. GTA 6 launches single-player first, per Take-Two. See GTA 6 Online for what is known about multiplayer.
Still unknown
- Whether the Narcos play games you can watch, on TV or in person.
- Whether concerts or events use the arena.
- The street it sits on. Community wikis give a street name drawn from leaked material, which we do not use.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kaseya Center in GTA 6?
Its double is. The Sahara Arena sits on the Vice City waterfront with a Ferris wheel and the bay behind it, just as the Kaseya Center does in Miami. The match is fan identification; Rockstar never names Miami.
Why is there a Welcome to Vice City sign on the Kaseya Center?
It is GTA 6 marketing. Local reports describe a Miami-Dade County deal worth about $975,000, close to $1 million, for the rooftop sign, which went up on September 22, 2026. Rockstar has not commented publicly.
How long will the Kaseya Center sign stay up?
County paperwork, as reported, keeps it up for one year after installation or through the Heat's last 2026-27 home game on April 11, 2027, whichever comes later. Local10 called it a permanent part of the skyline.
Can you watch basketball in GTA 6?
Not announced. Community wikis read a home team, the Vice City Narcos, from signage, but nobody has shown a game or the arena's interior. Pickup basketball on an outdoor court is in the Extended Look.