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Business News/ Sports / Football News/  Lionel Messi joins Inter Miami: All tickets sold out! Ticket prices jump over 1000%
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Lionel Messi joins Inter Miami: All tickets sold out! Ticket prices jump over 1000%

Lionel Messi's rumored move to Inter Miami has caused an unprecedented surge in ticket prices, with the lowest price for the team's Leagues Cup opener against Cruz Azul jumping from $29 to $329, according to TickPick.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 07: A Miami Heat fan holds a Lionel Messi jersey during Game Three of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets at Kaseya Center on June 07, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP )Premium
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 07: A Miami Heat fan holds a Lionel Messi jersey during Game Three of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets at Kaseya Center on June 07, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP )

Lionel Messi's decision to join Inter Miami has triggered an unprecedented surge in ticket prices on the secondary market as fans scramble to witness the footballing maestro's magic on American soil.

Reports of Messi's potential move to the Major League Soccer side sparked a frenzy among supporters, leading to an astonishing escalation in ticket costs. The lowest price for a ticket to Inter Miami's Leagues Cup opener against Cruz Azul on July 21 experienced an extraordinary surge from a mere $29 ( 2,400) to a staggering $329 ( 27,000), marking an astronomical 1,034% increase, according to TickPick.

Experts believe that Messi's inaugural appearance in a Miami jersey will likely become the most expensive Major League Soccer (MLS) game ever recorded. Kyle Zorn, brand manager at TickPick, shared his insights, stating, "Given his status as arguably the greatest player in the world, every time Inter Miami plays on the road, we're going to see record-breaking ticket prices."

Also Read: Why Lionel Messi chose Miami over Riyadh

Notably, Inter Miami's away fixtures witnessed significant spikes in prices as well. The team's clash with the New York Red Bulls on August 26 saw a remarkable 1,236% surge, while their encounter with LAFC in Southern California on September 3 experienced a substantial 420% increase, as reported by the ticket retailer.

While ticket prices have skyrocketed, supporters remain undeterred in their pursuit of experiencing Messi's mesmerising skills firsthand. As the anticipation builds, Inter Miami's matches are poised to draw in record-breaking crowds and create an electric atmosphere that will undoubtedly resonate throughout the league.

Messi-Inter Miami deal

Messi's move to Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) comes with financial intricacies due to MLS’ strict salary cap and roster regulations. The Miami Herald has shed some light on the complexity of the deal, estimating its value to be between $125 million and $150 million over a period of approximately 2.5 years, with a potential option year for 2026. This comprehensive agreement would encompass not only the player's salary and bonuses but also equity in the team.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia, Aramco to buy major football clubs; may host Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo

While the exact date of Messi's debut for Inter Miami remains uncertain, July 21 is widely reported as the proposed time frame. However, other possibilities such as "later in July, at the earliest" or sometime in August have also been mentioned. It is worth noting that the MLS regular season concludes on October 21, followed by the playoffs commencing on October 25 and culminating in the MLS Cup on December 9.

(With Reuters inputs)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sounak Mukhopadhyay
Sounak Mukhopadhyay, who also goes by the name Sounak Mukherjee, has been producing digital news since 2012. He's worked for the International Business Times, The Inquisitr, and Moneycontrol in the past. He's also contributed to Free Press Journal and TheRichest with feature articles. He covers news for a wide range of subjects including business, finance, economy, politics and sports. Before working with digital news publications, he worked as a freelance content writer.
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Published: 09 Jun 2023, 12:43 PM IST
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