Lionel Messi’s murky injury status leads Fire to offer crazy ticket deal
The Chicago Fire are igniting fans to attend Soldier Field on Aug. 31 with an eye-catching deal — thanks to Lionel Messi’s murky status.
The Fire are providing fans with a deal they’ve dubbed the “Fan-First Credit Guarantee,” emphasizing fans to fill the 61,500-capacity stadium in full, even if Messi, who is dealing with an ankle injury, can’t play in the game.
One potential benefit of the deal — if Inter Miami’s Messi can’t go — is that fans can get up to $250 off two or more season tickets in 2025.
“For tickets purchased between now until August 31, should Messi be unavailable for the match at Soldier Field, the Fire’s Fan-First Credit Guarantee will offer all single-match buyers $250 off two or more new 2025 Chicago Fire Season Ticket Memberships or $100 off two or more single match tickets for the 2025 home match versus Inter Miami,” the club said in a statement.
For those who already bought tickets, they would be able to redeem free entry to the team’s fan appreciation night later in the year.
The star’s fate is uncertain after he suffered a nasty ankle injury during the 2024 Copa América Final.
In the 64th minute of Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Colombia, Messi fell to the ground while chasing down Luis Diaz, who carried the ball.
The 37-year-old hobbled off the pitch, leaving himself and fans in tears.
The injury, at the minimum, has Messi out for two games.
On Tuesday, Inter Miami released a statement regarding Messi’s status but did not offer details about a potential timeline back to the pitch.
“The captain’s availability will be determined by periodic assessments and the progress of his recovery,” the team said.
A day after the message from the front office, Messi was seen on Miami’s bench in its 3-1 win over Toronto.
For some Fire fans, déjà vu fills the air.
Last year, the club sold 61,000 tickets— a team record — for its home game against Miami, reported by The Guardian.
However, when Messi didn’t play, the Fire presented season-ticket holders with $250 credit toward the following season alongside $50 credit for single-game viewers who decided not to attend.
Other teams in MLS followed suit.
In May, the Vancouver Whitecaps made stadium concessions half-off to raise morale after Messi, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez didn’t travel.
If the two-game timeline accurately matches up with Messi’s availability, fans would be able to see him back out on the pitch at two Leagues Cup matches on July 27 and Aug. 3.
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