It is no surprise that Lionel Messi has single handedly ensured that Inter Miami’s allocated season tickets for Major League Soccer 2024 are sold out already. David Beckham, president and co-owner of Inter Miami, and also the one who handed Messi his eighth and latest Ballon D’Or in the ceremony, would be delighted to find out the revenue being generated by Messi.
Despite the booming prices of the tickets, people have come forward in numbers to see Messi play his first full season in the pink of Inter Miami. After a magnificent start to life in the USA in the previous season, where he gave Inter Miami its first taste of silverware by lifting the Leagues Cup and finishing as the top scorer, Messi is all set to light up MLS in 2024.
Lionel Messi effect sells out Inter Miami season tickets
Ever since Messi joined Inter Miami from PSG on a free transfer, football culture in the USA looks to have jumped significantly higher. According to a statement released by Inter Miami on Thursday, all of the season tickets for the 2024 season have been sold. Lionel Messi, who was a finalist for MLS Newcomer of the Year, will be playing his first full season for the MLS franchise.
Inter Miami confirmed a complete sold out season tickets for the 2024 season. BTW, the ticket prices were doubled compared to last season.
— SHooMit (@SHoomwitter) November 30, 2023
The Genius Lionel Messi 🇦🇷almost single-handedly popularizing football (soccer) in the United States. #Messi pic.twitter.com/Z4EawphfOS
The announcement was made a little more than two weeks after season tickets were made available to the fans, and it came despite the fact that some areas of the team’s DRV PNK Stadium saw the prices of tickets doubled.
In the pre-Messi era, fans could attend an MLS game for $29, and in contrast, the lowest priced pass for his debut was $1,294. The season pass has gone from $485 in 2023 to $884 in the new season.
Inter Miami confirm they have sold out season tickets for the 2024 season despite DOUBLING seat prices from last season.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 30, 2023
Messi effect. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/bHoMY6z15j
It is, however, noted that, when it comes to seeing one of the best players in the history of the game, fans are willing to pay whatever is asked, even when the costs look absurd.
Inter Miami projects record revenue thanks to Lionel Messi
Through his participation in the USA, Lionel Messi has not only contributed to Inter Miami’s glory in the Leagues Cup by scoring ten goals in seven matches, but he has also significantly boosted MLS’s viewership and revenue. It has only been the start for Messi in Inter Miami, but it seems like the club is already getting the predicted rewards.
Inter Miami expects that the club will earn $200 million in 2024, which is three times the goal established before Lionel Messi’s signing. If the analysis is through on paper, it would put Inter Miami among the highest-earning teams in the world and would surpass the largest single-year revenue haul for any team in Major League Soccer history.
Inter Miami still hasn't lost with Lionel Messi, and now the club is projecting $200 million in annual revenue.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) August 26, 2023
That's 4x more than they brought in last year.
It would be an MLS record (by a mile), and it puts them on par with teams like Newcastle United & Aston Villa.
Insane. pic.twitter.com/ngOb6OMnuE
Do you think Messi can help Inter Miami win the MLS? Comment your predictions for the club in 2024.
