The arrival of soccer superstar Lionel Messi to Major League Soccer has had a significant impact on ticket sales. Prices for late-season games in the United States have skyrocketed by over 1,700% on the secondary market compared to last year.
Messi signed an extraordinary contract with Inter Miami CF in July, worth between $50 million and $60 million per year. This deal also includes an equity stake in the team, as reported by CNN. In addition, Messi also signed undisclosed revenue-sharing agreements with Apple TV and Adidas.
Messi’s arrival in the U.S. has generated a surge of interest in both the team and the MLS, which is not usually considered among the world’s top-tier leagues in terms of overall talent.
With Messi’s signing, subscriptions to “MLS Season Pass” on Apple TV have doubled, according to Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas. The team’s Instagram account has experienced tremendous growth, with followers jumping from 1 million to 14 million, as reported by the Miami Herald. The demand for Messi-branded jerseys has been so high that the MLS’ official online store has delayed delivery on orders until October.
Perhaps the most noteworthy outcome of Messi joining Inter Miami is the increase in ticket prices for both home and away games.
For home games, the average list price on the secondary market has increased from $152 to $864 since Messi’s signing, representing a 468% increase as of August 18, according to TicketIQ.
The effect is even more pronounced for away games, which include major markets like New York and Los Angeles. The average ticket prices for all remaining away games combined have soared by 1,002% compared to last year, as of August 15.
Let’s take a closer look at the average ticket prices for Inter Miami’s upcoming games this season.
For the upcoming game against the New York Red Bulls, the average ticket price is $1,674, a significant difference from last year’s average ticket price of only $90, reflecting a 1,760% increase.
Similarly, the average ticket price for a game against rival Orlando City SC was $97 in 2022 but has skyrocketed to $1,755 with Messi’s arrival, showing a 1,709% difference.
Even the cheapest seats have experienced a price surge. The lowest-cost ticket for a game against the New York Red Bulls has gone up from approximately $36 to $578 with Messi’s arrival, according to TicketIQ data. Likewise, the cheapest ticket for a match against Chicago Fire FC was $23 last year but has since climbed to $192.
In conclusion, Lionel Messi’s move to Major League Soccer has had a tremendous impact on ticket sales, with prices surging by over 1,700% on the secondary market. Messi’s involvement with Inter Miami CF, Apple TV, and Adidas has created a surge of interest in the team and the MLS. Subscriptions, social media followers, and jersey sales have all experienced significant increases. The average ticket prices for home and away games have skyrocketed, reflecting the excitement surrounding Messi’s arrival.
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