The Messi effect: 2023 Leagues Cup final tickets more expensive than 2023 Champions League final

One of the biggest stories of the year in the sporting world - and there have been a few - was the arrival of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. What is even more striking, however, is that the Argentine star has not yet debuted in the top flight of the North American game, but has already changed the fortunes of the franchise and will play in his first final, the first for the team, with the Herons’ jersey on as they face Nashville for the Leagues Cup 2023. And tickets for the game have been selling like crazy.

Did you know you can watch the game live online on Apple TV.

Leagues Cup tickets > UEFA Champions League

In what could not have been in the wildest dreams of the organisation just weeks ago, we now find ourselves in the situation where tickets to see Messi, Alba, Busquets and co. at Geodis Park, in the first extensive edition of the competition between the MLS and Liga MX, are being priced higher than those of the most recent European Champions League final. You’ll remember that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City overcame Inter Milan to lift an historic first continental triumph.

There are currently tickets for Nashville vs Inter Miami available for $594.30, which appear to be the cheapest to witness Messi’s first chance to win a championship in the United States. The lowest priced seat for the UCL final at the Atatürk Olympic Games was $77.50.

At the time of writing, prices on Ticketmaster for some of the best seats for the Leagues Cup final reach an eye-popping $12,000. For that I’d be wanting Messi and Beckham to give me a personal tour and then cook me lunch themselves!

Some less mad but still exorbitant tickets behind the goals range between $685 and $1,664, the highest of which matched the category one tickets to see City lift their crown.

Will the stadium fill up to see Messi at Geodis Park?

The thought of watching Messi win (or lose, depending on the colour of your scarf) his first title with Inter Miami is no doubt one of the main factors in this ticket frenzy and the home of Nashville team is expected to be filled to the proverbial rafters with cheering fans as Saturday comes around.

The capacity of the stadium is 30,000 seats, which makes it the most extensive soccer-specific stadium across the United States and Canada. It showcases a complete 360-degree canopy, a generously proportioned shared concourse measuring 65 feet in width, along with a secure standing section for passionate supporters.

Remarkably, a mere 150-foot gap exists between the final row of seats and the touchline, culminating, the owners say, in an electrifying matchday ambiance that brings fans intimately closer to the exhilarating action than ever witnessed before.