Tickets for Lionel Messi’s MLS debut in New York sell for over $20,000 as fans clamor to see the Inter Miami superstar bow against the Red Bulls
- Lionel Messi is set to make his MLS debut against the Red Bulls on Saturday
- Fans are selling their tickets for around $20,000 on resale sites
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Fans hoping to see Lionel Messi’s Major League Soccer debut will have to pay eye-watering sums of over $20,000 for a ticket.
The Argentine superstar is expected to make his MLS bow when Inter Miami travel to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night.
Messi has had an incredible start to life in the United States, scoring 10 goals in his first seven appearances and leading Inter Miami to League Cup glory.
Tickets for Saturday’s final at Nasvhille – at a sold-out Geodis Park – cost oneat least $450 each and demand is just as high in New York.
On Monday – nearly a week after match day – the cheapest ticket (all fees included) on the website Game time costs a whopping $610.
Fans hoping to see Lionel Messi’s MLS debut may have to pay upwards of $20,000 for a ticket
He is set to make his MLS bow when Inter Miami travel to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night
At the other end of the scale, the most expensive seats were whipped up for $17,554 a piece. After almost $6,000 in taxes added, the total cost is $23,528.
Before flying to New York, Messi will look to continue his perfect start to life in Miami in the US Open Cup semi-final against Cincinnati on Wednesday night.
MLS commissioner Don Garber challenged each club to take advantage of the 36-year-old’s arrival and grow their own fan base.
The most expensive seats cost $23,528 once nearly $6,000 in taxes are added to
MLS boss Don Garber has challenged clubs to capitalize on Messi’s arrival and expand their fan base
“It is the responsibility of local clubs to build up their fan base. The league isn’t going to tell them what to do when somebody else comes to town,’ he told ESPN.
“I know what I would do if I was a coach or a general manager.
“If I was president of a club and I heard (Union coach) Jim Curtin say this in Philadelphia (I would say): ‘Come here and support your team. ”
“Yeah, it will be nice to see someone else wearing that pink jersey and it might be a special moment, but it was an opportunity for the Philadelphia Union to be on the verge of winning another trophy. “
