The Miami Heat become Vice City for one night, on the eve of GTA 6
The night before GTA 6 hits stores, Miami will change its name. On November 18, 2026 the Miami Heat host the Milwaukee Bucks as Vice City, on a court built for that game alone and in a uniform nobody has seen yet. The Heat call it “A Night In Vice City”, and present it as a partnership with Rockstar Games.
What has not been shown yet
The uniform is the most anticipated piece, and the Heat’s official page keeps it hidden: in its place there is a silhouette labelled “Classified” and a sign-up form for the reveal. The same goes for the court design and the in-arena activities, billed as “to come”.
There is also a basketball storyline the team did not have to invent. Over the summer the Bucks traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat: according to US sports press, November 18 will be his first game against his former team.
The Heat’s “Vice City” merch
The Heat’s official store is already selling a Court Culture Vice City collection: fourteen items, tees, hoodies and caps (some with New Era and the Duvin brand), from $45 to $110. The names play on the original Vice City: “Welcome to Vice City”, “Vice City Pool Service”, “Vice City Souvenir”.
The roof sign and the rest of the campaign
The game is only the most visible piece of a campaign that has been running in Miami for weeks. On the roof of Kaseya Center, the Heat’s arena, there is now a large pink and white sign: “Welcome to Vice City”.
On October 8, the same day as the radio reveal, Rockstar announced the Grand Theft Auto VI Collection on the Rockstar Store via the Newswire: tees, caps, canvas totes, stickers, a keychain, a money clip and a Zippo lighter with the Vice City logo. On the European store the tee and cap cost €29.99, the tote and Zippo €39.99, and some items are already sold out. It is a separate line from The Goodtime State, Vice City Collection at $399.99.
From October 15 the campaign hits the street
The game and the sign are not the only things Vice City is borrowing from Miami. From October 15 to December 31, 2026 the GTA 6 campaign spreads to beaches and streets, in both Florida and New York.
According to local press, the full “Grand Theft Auto” name will not appear on Miami Beach’s sand: only “Vice City” and the VI logo. The vote was a close fight over whether the city should advertise a violent game at all.
In short
- On November 18, 2026, the eve of GTA 6’s release, the Miami Heat play the Milwaukee Bucks as “Vice City”.
- Tip-off is 7:00 PM ET, and the game airs on ESPN.
- The court and uniform are made for the occasion, but have not been revealed yet.
- The Heat sell a Vice City apparel collection from $45 to $110.
- A “Welcome to Vice City” sign sits on the arena roof, the result of a deal worth about one million dollars according to local press.
- Rockstar opened the Grand Theft Auto VI Collection on its store, with prices from €29.99 in Europe.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Heat play as Vice City?
On November 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET, against the Milwaukee Bucks at Kaseya Center. In Europe it is the early hours of November 19, GTA 6’s launch day.
Where can I watch the Heat vs Bucks game on November 18?
In the US it airs on ESPN and WPLG Local 10, and on the radio on FM 104.3 WQAM. Elsewhere, the usual NBA broadcasters apply.
What does the Heat’s Vice City uniform look like?
Nobody knows yet: the Heat describe it as “completely reimagined” but are keeping it hidden until the official reveal.
Is this an official Rockstar event?
The Heat present it as a partnership with Rockstar Games, and the “Welcome to Vice City” sign on the arena comes from a deal with Rockstar. The game announcement itself, though, came from the team and not the Newswire.