The upcoming visit of soccer legend Lionel Messi to Gillette Stadium has created a frenzy among fans, resulting in record-breaking ticket sales for the New England Revolution. The team announced that over 60,000 tickets have already been sold for the highly anticipated matchup with Inter Miami. With less than 5,000 tickets remaining for the April 27 MLS clash, the Revs are on track to shatter their long-standing single-game attendance record.
The current attendance figures are poised to surpass the club’s previous records, including the 61,316 fans who attended the 2002 MLS Cup when the New England Revolution faced off against the LA Galaxy. This upcoming game is also expected to break the regular-season attendance record dating back to 1997 when the Revolution hosted the Tampa Bay Mutiny in a historic doubleheader featuring a World Cup Qualifying match between Mexico and the United States.
Gillette Stadium, the home venue for the New England Patriots, is no stranger to hosting massive crowds and prestigious sporting events. Since its opening in 2002, the stadium has witnessed memorable moments, including the previous record attendance of 42,947 at a Revolution regular-season match in 2015. As an arena that has seen six-time Super Bowl champions, the Patriots, Gillette Stadium continues to draw sports enthusiasts from all over.
Despite the overwhelming demand for tickets to witness Lionel Messi in action, there are looming uncertainties about his availability. The soccer superstar has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, missing Inter Miami’s recent MLS matchups and international friendlies. Miami’s manager, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, has reiterated that Messi’s fitness is being evaluated on a week-to-week basis, with hopes of having him ready for the Champions Cup quarterfinals against Monterrey in April.
In a similar situation last season, when Messi was at risk of missing a game due to injury, the Chicago Fire offered ticketed fans incentives to encourage attendance. This creative strategy included providing account credits towards new memberships for the following season, ensuring that supporters were still engaged and involved in the team’s activities.
Lionel Messi’s anticipated visit to Gillette Stadium has not only generated unprecedented ticket sales for the New England Revolution but has also highlighted the potential for significant growth and engagement within the MLS fan base. Despite the uncertainties surrounding Messi’s availability, the excitement and anticipation leading up to the event are a testament to the impact of global soccer icons on local sports communities.
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