Tickets for Lionel Messi’s MLS debut in New York are selling for over $20,000 as fans wait to see the Inter Miami superstar take on the Red Bulls
- Lionel Messi will make his MLS debut against the Red Bulls on Saturday
- Fans are auctioning off their tickets on resale websites for around $20,000
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Fans hoping to see Lionel Messi’s Major League Soccer debut have to pay a whopping sum of more than $20,000 for a ticket.
The Argentine superstar is expected to make his MLS bow on Saturday night when Inter Miami travel to the New York Red Bulls.
Messi has had an incredible start to his life in the United States, scoring ten goals in his first seven games and leading Inter Miami to League Cup glory.
Tickets for Saturday’s final in Nasvhille – at the sold-out Geodis Park – cost at least $450 each and demand is similar in New York.
On Monday – nearly a week before game day – the cheapest ticket (including all fees) on website Gametime was a whopping $610.
Fans who want to see Lionel Messi’s MLS debut may have to pay upwards of $20,000 for a ticket
He will show off his MLS arc when Inter Miami travel to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night
At the other end of the scale, the top-priced seats were auctioned for $17,554 each. Add nearly $6,000 in taxes and the total cost is $23,528.
Before flying to New York, Messi will try to continue his perfect start in life in Wednesday night’s US Open Cup semi-final against Cincinnati in Miami.
MLS commissioner Don Garber has urged each club to capitalize on the 36-year-old’s arrival and grow their own fanbase.
The most expensive seats cost $23,528 when you add nearly $6,000 worth of taxes
MLS boss Don Garber urged clubs to capitalize on Messi’s arrival and increase their fanbase
“It’s the responsibility of local clubs to build their fanbase.” “The league isn’t going to tell them what to do if someone else comes to town,” he told ESPN.
“I know what I would do if I were a coach or a manager.
“If I were the president of a club and I heard (Union manager) Jim Curtin say that in Philadelphia, I would say, ‘Come on and support your team.’
“Yes, it will be nice to see someone else wear that pink jersey and that could be a special moment, but that was an opportunity for the Philadelphia Union to be on their way to winning another trophy.”
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