Specifically, on the secondary market, ticket prices for the final rounds of the MLS (Major League Soccer) season have increased by 1,700% compared to last year.
CNN revealed that Lionel Messi signed a blockbuster contract with Inter Miami CF in July worth $60 million a year, including a stake in the team. Messi also signed undisclosed revenue-sharing deals with Apple TV and Adidas.
Messi's arrival in the United States has created a wave of interest not only in Inter Miami but also in MLS in general.
According to Jorge Mas, owner of Inter Miami, the signing of Messi has doubled the number of MLS Season Pass subscriptions on Apple TV, and the team’s Instagram account has increased from 1 million to 14 million followers.
What's more, demand for Messi jerseys has been so strong that the official MLS online store has had to delay taking orders until the end of October.
Most notably, ticket prices to watch Inter Miami matches have increased for both home and away matches.
For home games, the average secondary market listing price has increased from $152 to $864 since Messi joined Inter Miami — a 468% increase since August 18.
The effect is more evident in away games. The average ticket price for all Inter Miami away games has increased by 1,002% compared to last year, as of August 15.
For the upcoming game against the New York Red Bulls, the average ticket price is $1,674. Last year, it was just $90 — an increase of 1,760%.
Similarly, the average ticket price for an Inter Miami match against rival Orlando City SC was just $97 in 2022, but jumped to $1,755 when Messi arrived in the US — a 1,709% increase.
Even the cheapest seats are going up in price. According to TicketIQ data, the lowest ticket price for a game against the New York Red Bulls jumped from about $36 to $578 when Messi appeared. The price for Inter Miami’s game against Chicago Fire FC was $23 last year but has now risen to $192.
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