Another MLS season is knocking on the door, and so is the ‘Messimania.’ Lionel Messi will be taking to Tinsel Town on February 25 to play against LA Galaxy for the first time since his MLS move. The matchup is already a box office. According to renowned MLS journalist Favian Renkel, the LA Galaxy broke all existing MLS ticket sale records and sold 27,000 tickets within just 10 minutes of going on for sale! The Miami-LA match will be played in the Dignity Health Park, LA. With this staggering sale, LA has surpassed Dallas FC’s recent MLS record of selling 20,500 tickets in 18 minutes for a match against Inter Miami.

All Inter Miami matches in their home ground have been sellouts since Lionel Messi’s arrival. Furthermore, per StubHub data, Inter Miami became the highest-selling MLS team, overtaking Los Angeles FC last season. In addition, David Beckham‘s Miami side had also announced that it had sold out its season tickets for 2024. This announcement came two weeks after the tickets went on sale for deposit holders.

A recently published StubHub data also pointed out that the MLS hugely benefitted from Lionel Messi’s arrival. Messi’s move saw a dramatic 160% surge in net sales for the MLS in the 2023 season and attracted fans from over 90 countries. Meanwhile, the Herons’ international ticket sales registered a 220% rise in 2023 over 2022. Furthering the buzz around Leo Messi and Inter Miami, a recent update proves that the ‘Messimania’ has transcended the MLS and America. Awaiting a match against Miami, Hong Kong NT and its front office have already made the best of the frenzy.

Lionel Messi mania transcends MLS, as Hong Kong sells out tickets before hosting Inter Miami

As a part of their pre-season tours, Inter Miami will play against Hong Kong in an away fixture on February 04. Organizers at the Hong Kong Stadium announced that they sold out all 40,000 tickets within 60 minutes of the tickets going for sale. This dramatic sellout occurred, despite Inter Miami not confirming Leo Messi’s presence in the match against Hong Kong. However, the likes of Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba are expected to start for the Herons in Hong Kong.

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Anyhow, the soccer world better be ready to see another record-breaking ticket sellout. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami is playing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in a Riyadh Season Cup match. If any match can outdo LA Galaxy’s 10-minute sellout, it will be ‘The Last Dance’ in Riyadh. What are your thoughts on the Messimania? Tell us in the comments below.

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