Lionel Messi’s Signing Sparks Sharp Rise in Inter Miami Ticket Prices
The arrival of Lionel Messi in the United States has sparked a frenzy among fans, and ticket prices reflect the magnitude of “Messi mania.”
The soccer superstar’s decision to join Major League Soccer club Inter Miami took the sporting world by surprise, especially following speculations about a lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia and rumors of a return to his former team, Barcelona, where he became an icon.
Ticket prices for games have skyrocketed, experiencing an almost 1,000% increase, a rarity for MLS matches, according to VividSeats as reported by CNN.
While the exact date of Messi’s debut remains uncertain, sources indicate that it could potentially occur on July 21 during the Leagues Cup clash between Inter Miami and Mexican team Cruz Azul. As of Thursday, the average ticket price stood at $1,248, marking a 922% surge compared to Monday’s price of $120, as reported by VividSeats.
Prices for in-league MLS matches have also soared. For instance, tickets for the Inter Miami versus New York Red Bulls game on August 25 now cost $983, a substantial 883% increase from Monday’s prices of $99. Similarly, the fixture between Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC in California on September 3 witnessed a 400% surge, with the average price rising from $150 to $785.
However, potential ticket buyers should be aware of the risks associated with purchasing tickets since no official deal has been confirmed, and Messi’s first official match has not been announced. MLS expressed its excitement at the prospect of Messi joining the league, stating, “We are pleased that Lionel Messi has stated that he intends to join Inter Miami and Major League Soccer this summer. Although work remains to finalize a formal agreement, we look forward to welcoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time to our League.”
This development also presents an opportunity for Apple, as the company broadcasts MLS games on its streaming service. Reports suggest that Messi’s deal includes an option for partial ownership of Inter Miami and a share of the revenue generated from new subscribers to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass streaming service.
Apple recently reduced the price of a soccer subscription for the remainder of the season, from $99 to $49. While specific viewership figures are not disclosed, Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services, recently mentioned that the number of subscriptions and viewership is surpassing initial forecasts.
CNN has reached out to Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Messi’s representative, Apple, and David Beckham, who is part of Inter Miami’s ownership team, to verify the financial details.
Before joining Inter Miami, Messi played for Paris Saint-Germain, winning two Ligue 1 titles during his two-season tenure. However, he couldn’t secure the club’s first-ever Champions League victory. Prior to PSG, Messi enjoyed a successful 17-year spell at Barcelona, collecting numerous trophies along the way.
