Minnesota United fans react to massive price increase for Messi game at Allianz Field

Seats in the same halfway line section of the stadium for homes games surrounding the May 10 game (Apr. 26 vs. Vancouver and May 17 vs. St. Louis City) are $96.

The spike in prices isn't necessarily unexpected. Since joining MLS in the summer of 2023, MLS games featuring Messi have routinely seen ticket prices multiply in price. It is the amount that took some United fans by surprise.

John Berkholtz, a Minnesota United season-ticket holder since 2017, said he was "disappointed but not surprised by the prices."

"Since I stay connected to the league, I knew it was going to happen but I don't love the idea of people being priced out of seeing their hero," Berkholtz told Bring Me The News. 

After seeing the price increase during Wednesday's presale for season-ticket holders, X user @Huschka posted a screenshot of prices ranging from $894 to $313, saying, "This is NOT OKAY. These are box office - straight from the team prices for the Inter Miami match this May."

In a Reddit thread about the prices, user "bleakmidwinter" commented, "That's insanity." Fellow Reddit user "mceskri" said, "Saw him score a hat trick in Chicago for $30 back in 2016 for Argentina in Copa America. This is highway robbery with no guarantee that he will play."

Not all reactions to the price were negative. Bluesky user Dan Elias said, "My general take: 1. So happy the team kept the game at Allianz. 2. [Season-ticket holders] rewarded with their regular price, another great move. 3. Higher priced non-[season-ticket holder] seats keeps profiteers from buying just to resell AND its the only way the team gets a payday from Messi (I hope they reinvest it into the team)."

Berkholtz said he "probably" plans to list his tickets for an "F you" amount.

"I really want to go to see the GOAT for probably the only time ever in Minnesota," Berkholtz said. "But I'm also getting married this year and if selling one game covers the cost of the rest I'll probably take that opportunity."

Despite an expected increase in demand for tickets, Minnesota United elected to keep the May 10 game at Allianz Field (capacity 19,400) instead of moving it to bigger venues, such as the University of Minnesota's Huntington Bank Stadium (capacity 50,805) or the Vikings' U.S. Bank Stadium (capacity 66,200).

When discussing the game on the club's Sound of the Loons podcast in December, Minnesota United CEO Shari Ballard recognized the chance for additional revenue if the team had moved the game to a larger venue but said, "What it came down to for our club, no way, baby. Allianz Field was made to host this soccer game and all of our soccer games."

Following a decorated career playing for global soccer giants Barcelona and PSG, Messi arrived at Inter Miami in the summer of 2023 and has drawn massive crowds wherever he has shown up. Sporting Kansas City moved its game against Inter Miami in 2024 to the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium and the Columbus Crew are set to move its game this season to the Cleveland Browns' home stadium, which is 145 miles away from its usual home stadium.

While disappointed at the high cost of entry, Berkholtz remains excited about the potential for Messi to take the Allianz Field pitch in May.

"If Messi actually plays, I will be losing my mind. He's a living folk story at this point. And the idea that we have the level of soccer in [Minnesota] that would bring the best that ever did it to town is beyond exciting."