Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami caused MLS ticket sales to increase by 1,034%, bringing in $ 265 million after appearing in only 9 matches in the US!
Messi has played a total of 9 matches for Inter Miami, since the match against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup on July 22, when he scored the decisive free kick goal in the last minutes. In 8 cup matches in the Leagues Cup and America’s Cup (US Open Cup), 1 match in that MLS tournament, all matches caused ticket fever.
According to estimates by Fortune magazine, Messi’s appearance has increased ticket prices in the US by 1,034%. Tickets for matches without Messi were also pushed up.
Messi celebrates scoring against New York Red Bulls in round 35 of MLS at Red Bull Arena, Harrison city, New Jersey state, USA on August 26, 2023. Photo: AP
“Total of these matches, from official ticket sales, Messi has contributed to bringing in a total of more than 265 million USD. Inter Miami Club and teams that have met away from home such as FC Cincinnati, FC Dallas, Philadelphia Union, Nashville SC and New York Red Bulls won big when collecting a huge amount of ticket sales.
Messi’s effect has not stopped, Inter Miami’s next matches at the MLS tournament, which are being opened for sale, are still in a state of “sold out”, due to the great demand for viewers,” Boardroom assessed.
Soccer fields in the US often have a smaller capacity than Europe or South America, so the price of tickets to see Messi play is more expensive. No ticket class to see Messi is cheaper than 200 USD at the moment.
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Like Inter Miami’s match at Los Angeles on September 4, the lowest ticket price is 422 USD.
The owners of the New York Red Bulls over the weekend were extremely happy because they made a lot of money from playing against Inter Miami with Messi. Specifically, if before the ticket cost only 29 USD, now it has increased by 285% to 850 USD!
Messi continues to create records and help clubs in the US increase revenue through ticket sales
The Apple TV channel of the technology giant of the same name also won big, reaching a record number of new subscribers of up to 300,000 people for its season-long MLS tournament live streaming service. This amount equates to a profit of about $29.7 million.
Under Messi’s contract, he will receive a portion of this additional revenue.
Not stopping there, Messi also expects to increase Miami’s revenue by 257% within a year. In fiscal year 2022, Miami’s revenue is only a modest $56 million. But with Messi, David Beckham’s team is expected to earn $200 million, becoming the club that earns the most money in an MLS season.
