MLS Messi-mania continues to drive ticket prices

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP):

THE COLUMBUS Crew are asking a minimum US$421 list price for individual tickets for next season’s Major League Soccer (MLS) home game against Inter Miami and Lionel Messi.

The $421 seats are located behind the end line in the bottom deck at Lower.com Field, according to a Ticketmaster webpage linked to the team’s website. The price does not include fees.

Individual ticket prices increase to $746 plus fees for seats closer to midfield.

The match versus Miami is the only 2024 Crew home game with individual seats listed for sale. The date of the match has not been announced; last year, MLS announced its schedule on December 20.

“While our 2024 MLS schedule is to be determined, we recognised there was significant fan interest in securing tickets to our home match against Inter Miami CF, regardless of the date and time,” the Crew said in a statement.

“In preparation for the holiday season, we opened a limited number of single-match tickets exclusively for our season-ticket members Monday morning as we always prioritise our supporters through early access for events at our venues. The select inventory was offered to the public on Tuesday.”

The New York Red Bulls, last week, offered a holiday two-game ticket promotion involving next season’s home opener and their home match against rivals New York City but included in small print that a match against Miami would not be included if it is the home opener.

Messi, captain of World Cup champions Argentina, joined Miami in July. The 36-year-old attacker scored at the Red Bulls in his MLS debut on August 26, his only goal in six league matches. He missed six league games after joining the team.