<p>Major League Soccer teams have eagerly awaited the opportunity to host Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, with expectations of record-breaking attendance. Last season, both Charlotte and Atlanta United saw their largest crowds of the season during matches against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-many-points-do-miami-need-to-qualify-for-mls-playoffs/">Inter Miami</a>. The New England Revolution followed suit when they hosted Messi’s side on April 27.</p>



<p>Similar to Charlotte and Atlanta, New England plays in an NFL stadium, Gillette Stadium. Fans from across New England flooded to witness <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-close-is-messi-to-breaking-the-mls-goal-scoring-record/">Messi</a> in action, resulting in a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/record-setting-gillette-stadium-watches-messi-and-miami-shine/">record-breaking attendance of 65,612 spectators</a>. This surpassed the previous record set in 2002 when the New England Patriots played the Los Angeles Galaxy.</p>



<p>The Argentine lived up to expectations with a stellar performance, scoring twice and assisting in another goal as Inter Miami secured a 4-1 victory. His influence was evident throughout the match, guiding his team to success.</p>



<h2>Another spectacle incoming</h2>



<p>So now when the ex-<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> star graces Saputo Stadium on Saturday, it won’t just be another <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-mls-on-us-tv-and-internet/">MLS</a> match; it’ll be a spectacle. His presence alone is enough to transform a routine game into a global event.</p>



<p>Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami last July marked a turning point for the club. They languished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings before his tenure. Now the Herons boast the league’s best record, 7-2-3, and a formidable goal differential of plus-14. This season, they’ve emerged as a dominant force; all thanks in no small part to Messi’s unrivaled talent and leadership on the field.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, Montreal is in a less enviable position, currently occupying 11th place in the Eastern Conference with a 3-4-3 record. The team’s recent 4-1 defeat to Nashville underscores their struggles, having won just one of their last seven MLS games. Additionally, the departure of vice-president and chief sporting officer Olivier Renard adds to the club’s off-field turmoil.</p>



<p>But amidst the on-field battles and administrative changes, one thing remains constant: Lionel Messi’s ability to captivate audiences. His recent stellar performance against the New York Red Bulls has sent ticket prices for the clash with Montreal soaring. The 36-year-old not only scored a goal but also delivered a record-breaking five assists in the second half.</p>



<p>According to Vivid Seats, the average ticket price for the match now stands at a staggering $465, with the <a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fcf-montreal-tickets-stade-saputo-5-11-2024--sports-mls%2Fproduction%2F4741824" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">best deals starting at $195</a>. </p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Why aren&apos;t fans signing up to MLS SEASON PASS?" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DBKVsGBcZ4M?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<h2>Will Messi sell out Saputo Stadium?</h2>



<p>The Inter Miami vs Montreal fixture on May 11 is now ranked among the hottest MLS tickets on record, claiming the seventh spot since 2009. It’s a testament to the superstar’s allure and the fervent desire among fans to witness his genius live in action.</p>



<p>Despite Messi’s drawing power, ticket sales for Saturday’s game at Saputo Stadium have faced challenges. Some fans criticize the steep prices, far exceeding typical rates. Season ticket holders also express surprise at the inflated resale values, reflecting a disconnect between pricing and fan affordability.</p>



<p>Jonah Presser, representing the 1642MTL supporters’ group, highlighted the mismatch between ticket prices and market demand, suggesting that economic constraints deter fans from attending, irrespective of the star attraction. </p>



<p>“When it comes to the club setting the base price essentially for the tickets … in our supporters’ section tickets usually cost $30 to $35 and for the Messi game the individual ticket was priced at $450 by the team. It’s crazy”, he said.</p>



<p>Similarly, Radhouane Rajhi, a first-time season ticket holder influenced by Messi’s presence, voices concern over escalating ticket costs. “I find it’s expensive. I thought they might go for around $300, but not more than that”, he said.</p>



<p>“There was an overestimation of the market. We’re still recovering from a huge economic crisis and people don’t have that kind of money to spend on a two-hour game, regardless of who’s playing.”</p>



<p>The discrepancy between ticket pricing and fan affordability underscores broader economic realities, potentially leading to empty seats at Saputo Stadium despite Messi’s star appeal. As fans navigate the aftermath of a global economic crisis, extravagant ticket prices pose a barrier to attendance, tempering expectations for Saturday’s showdown.</p>



<p><em>Photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>



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Messi unlikely to sell out 19,619 stadium in Montreal

Messi and Inter Miami are scheduled to play at the stadium in Montreal this weekend, but tickets are unlikely to sell out due to high prices.

Messi unlikely to sell out 19,619 stadium in Montreal - World Soccer Talk

<div id="attachment_15216" style="width: 475px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http:\/\/www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/mls-12-preview-soccer-specific-stadiums-soaring-15214/bbvacompassstadum" rel="attachment wp-att-15216"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a><p id="caption-attachment-15216" class="wp-caption-text">Artistic Rendering of BBVA Compass Stadium, Opening in May 2012</p></div>
<p>When you&nbsp;started to&nbsp;follow Major League Soccer for the first time in 1996, one of your enduring memories was visiting stadiums that were primarily used for the National Football League or College Football. But when Lamar Hunt used his own money to create the first ever soccer specific stadium for MLS, you felt that a change was coming.</p>
<p>As we look at the 2012 season, most MLS teams are the primary tenants for their current venues. Last night, MLS received another boost in this realm, and it happened for a team whose tumultuous past was influenced directly by their inability to secure a modern venue. But the San Jose Planning Commission gave a sweeping six votes for to nil to allow the San Jose Earthquakes to break ground and build the next great stadium in the history of the sport in the United States.</p>
<p>Since Columbus Crew Stadium was opened on May 15<sup>th</sup>, 1999, stadiums designed for Major League Soccer have been a priority, especially after the arrival of Commissioner Don Garber. The list has grown in ways that Hunt could only dream of back in the infancy of the league: The Home Depot Center, FC Dallas Stadium (formerly Pizza Hut Park), Toyota Park, BMO Field, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Rio Tinto Stadium, Red Bull Arena, PPL Park, and Livestrong Sporting Park.</p>
<p>In terms of this season, opening in downtown Houston will be BBVA Compass Stadium, as the finishing touches are being made on this great new park in the heart of the city. Let’s also not forget the refurbishment project up in Montreal as Stade Saputo will be expanding their capacity to meet MLS requirements. These stadiums have presented a financial benefit to the teams, giving them facilities that can draw new fans due to their modern qualities without the enormous lease costs from the mammoth NFL and NCAA stadiums.</p>
<p>For the Dynamo, a brand new stadium has been a long sought after goal which will become reality on May 12 of this year. Of course they were the first edition of an MLS team in San Jose, initially as the Clash and then as the Earthquakes. But Anschutz Entertainment Group tired of the process to secure building permits in the northern California city, and moved the team to the Gulf Coast. Finally for the newest generation of the Earthquakes and their supporters, a replacement for the antiquated Buck Shaw Stadium is closer to reality.</p>
<p>Located near the San Jose Airport, it sounded like this would be a fantastic idea for visiting sides to make a short trip and prepare for their match against the Earthquakes. But as always with these new Soccer Stadium projects, there was some apprehension. That pushback came from some local residents who live near the airport, creating a group set against the stadium opening in their neighborhood. Their main concern was the possible harmful noise coming from the drums being beaten by the supporters group. The Council finally shot that protest down.</p>
<p>If these people live near an airport, and also have freight trains going by at night blowing their horns, shouldn’t they complain about that instead of worrying about a stadium filled with soccer fans? Those who were opposed to the idea wanted a study reopened to measure noise, but that idea was dismissed.</p>
<p>Many Earthquakes supporters filled the hall and had their chance to show their support for the new stadium along with owner Lew Wolff and MLS President Mark Abbott. After all that was said and displayed, the council finally voted and agreed to allow the new stadium to be built. There was an appeal from the opposition, but that was denied.</p>
<p>So after all of the soccer-related heartache that has been going on for the last several years in the San Jose area, the supporters of this club can now celebrate the possible final year at Buck Shaw as the club is hoping they will start in 2013.</p>
<p>Finally another crown jewel of a stadium will be built and represent the league, another stadium that will represent home field advantage for our National Team to compete in a friendly, Gold Cup or during World Cup Qualifying. With BBVA Compass Stadium, Stade Saputo, and the new park being planned in Silicon Valley, this is a fabulous time for fans of San Jose, Major League Soccer, and our National Teams.</p>


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Messi unlikely to sell out 19,619 stadium in Montreal

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MLS '12 Preview – Soccer Specific Stadiums Soaring