Once the smallest details leaked out about Lionel Messi’s possible deal to head to Inter Miami in the MLS, ticket speculation started going nuts.
The Athletic reported his first game would be on July 21. A ticket to that game sold on Tuesday on TickPick for $29. By 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday, the cheapest ticket for that game on the secondary ticketing site was $329.
Other games with massive jumps include Inter Miami’s game with the New York Red Bulls on Aug. 26. Get-in before the news was $30. Get-in price now? North of $400.
LAFC’s game on Sept. 3 jumped in a similar manner, from $81 on TickPick before the news to $422 after.
Inter Miami, which has not announced the deal, sold out its 2023 home season but is currently taking $200 season ticket deposits for 2024.
On Wednesday morning, credible reports from soccer reporters indicated that Messi had agreed to a contract with Inter Miami over joining the Saudi Arabian league or returning to his old club, Barcelona. The 2022 World Cup champion and 7-time Ballon d'Or winner is a free agent this summer.
Messi had been as long as +1000 to join Inter Miami earlier this month, after his spat with PSG calcified his route out of Paris. Back then, Barcelona were the massive favorites at -137. Any Saudi team was priced at +130. Even a return to PSG at +450 was priced better than Inter Miami.
But, with Barcelona's finances in shambles, the logistical gymnastics needed to bring an emotional return were vast. Reports on Wednesday also indicated that revenue from Apple, Adidas and the MLS itself may be used to sweeten a Messi transfer.
As of 12 p.m. ET, notorious soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the reports on Messi's signing. He added that the "Little Magician" will play for Inter Miami starting in the upcoming season.
