The first away game of Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer (MLS) has sent fans into a ticket-buying frenzy. The renowned Inter Miami forward has become a sensation across U.S. sports, selling out the Leagues Cup Round of 16 match against FC Dallas in 10 minutes.
Being Messi’s inaugural road game in the MLS, the ticket prices have surged remarkably. The event promises to be exclusive, with the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, accommodating only 20,500 spectators.
The Latino populace’s significant presence in the area and fans’ willingness to shell out hefty sums to catch a glimpse of Messi will likely lead to considerable gains for Dallas, one of the league’s smaller franchises.
Moreover, the reselling market for tickets has also seen a dramatic rise. Astonishingly, some supporters have reportedly paid up to $9,000 to witness Messi’s performance against Jesus Ferreira and his squad this Sunday.
Inter Miami’s Uplift with Messi and Busquets
Inter Miami’s performance has noticeably improved since the induction of Messi and Sergio Busquets into the team. They’ve secured three consecutive victories, breaking an 11-game losing streak that had been ongoing without the two stars.
Messi has made his mark in his three games, scoring a free kick against Cruz Azul, a double against Atlanta United, and another pair of goals versus Orlando City. As the star-studded team progresses in the tournament, they’ll have the chance to play on their home turf again if they advance to the quarter-finals.
Ticket prices for Messi’s introduction match against Cruz Azul varied between $200 and $5,000 on the resale market. Given Toyota Stadium’s limited capacity and the possibility that Messi might not return to Dallas this season, this match’s tickets have become particularly pricey.