By Rasheed Adewuyi, New York
Inter Miami CF matches have drawn record-breaking crowds early in the 2026 Major League Soccer season, highlighting the continued global impact of Lionel Messi since his arrival in the United States.
A crowd of 75,673 fans attended the clash between Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, setting the highest attendance for an MLS opening weekend match and ranking among the biggest crowds in league history.
Days later, another massive turnout followed when Inter Miami faced D.C. United, with 72,026 spectators packing the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The figure surpassed the venue’s previous attendance record of 71,547**y which had been set by the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens during a league game.
The two matches underline what many observers have described as the “Messi effect,” with the Argentine superstar continuing to drive unprecedented interest and ticket demand across MLS venues.
Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi’s presence has dramatically boosted attendance figures, television audiences and global attention for the league. The early weeks of the 2026 season suggest that trend remains strong, with tens of thousands of fans filling large stadiums whenever the Florida-based club travels.
With the season still in its early stages, league officials expect more high-attendance fixtures as Inter Miami continue their campaign and Messi’s influence on the league shows little sign of slowing.