GTA 6: the Miami Heat become “Vice City” on the eve of launch
The Miami Heat will play as Vice City against the Bucks on November 18, with a special court and uniform, plus a GTA VI apparel drop that sold out fast.
GTA VI marketing has reached the NBA. On October 2, 2026, the Miami Heat announced they'll drop their name for one night: on November 18, the eve of the game's launch, they'll take the floor as "Vice City" against the Milwaukee Bucks at Kaseya Center, on a custom court and in a brand-new uniform. The same day, the team released a themed apparel line that sold out in several sizes within minutes.
A Night in Vice City: the details
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
Date | November 18, 2026, 7:00 PM ET |
Opponent | Milwaukee Bucks |
Venue | Kaseya Center, Miami |
TV | ESPN |
Uniform | All-new, to be revealed later |
Court | Special hardwood "built for Vice City" |
The team is also promising live events and activations in and around the arena, and a glowing "Welcome to Vice City" sign is already up on top of Kaseya Center. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster.
The Heat's Vice City Collection
The team store has launched a Vice City Collection from Court Culture, with collaborations with Duvin Design Company and New Era:
- Tees: "Welcome to Vice City", "Vice City Souvenir", "Vice City Pool Service", "Vice City Shades", a Vice City postcard design and an "I <3 Vice City" crop top, among others.
- Caps: several New Era snapbacks (Vice City logo, "Goodtime State", "Vice City Billiards") and a dad cap.
- Fleece: a "Vice City" hoodie and a "Welcome to Vice City" crewneck.
Orders ship in 5-6 weeks, so don't expect them before launch. Heat Store Insider members (free to join) get free US shipping on orders over $99; international buyers should factor in shipping and import fees.
How it was designed
Updated October 7, 2026. Graphic designer Arthur Traldi, who worked with Rockstar on the collection's official artwork, has shared sketches and alternate layouts on LinkedIn and Instagram. He was brought onto the project by James Lano and Duvin Design Company. Two pieces stand out:
- The "VICE" lettering, built from many tropical and Miami illustrations combined together. Traldi says the hardest part was keeping the word readable.
- A design inspired by the original 2002 GTA Vice City, using a tighter color palette taken from that game's loading screens and logo, a nod to anyone who played it.
Why it fits so well
The Heat have leaned into '80s neon before. Their "Vice" City Edition uniforms, inspired by Miami Vice and South Beach nightlife, became huge sellers from 2017 onward, and that's the same aesthetic GTA Vice City made iconic back in 2002. Now it comes full circle: Vice City was always Miami, and for one night Miami becomes Vice City.
For Rockstar, it's another move in a campaign aimed well beyond core players, alongside The Goodtime State collector's box and the official soundtrack. Tip-off comes just hours before GTA VI launches on November 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, which makes it the unofficial launch party in all but name.
