CHICAGO (AP/WGN) — The Chicago Fire FC said Friday that they will offer vouchers for fans if Lionel Messi doesn’t play for Inter Miami CF when the teams meet at Soldier Field on Aug. 31.
Messi injured a ligament in his right ankle during Argentina’s win over Colombia in the Copa America final on July 14. The Fire said in a statement that they expect Messi to play.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Lionel Messi out, did not travel with team ahead of match against Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field
If he can’t, however, the team will offer single-match buyers who purchase between now and game day $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 against Inter Miami.
If fans already had purchased tickets, the Fire said they would offer the chance to claim two complimentary tickets to the Fire’s Fan Appreciation Night on Oct. 19 against Nashville SC.
For Chicagoans, the will-he-won’t-he play in a home game against the city’s professional soccer club is all too familiar. Last year, the anticipation of Messi’s appearance at Solider Field led to a sell-out crowd and high demand in ticket sales.
Some resale tickets neared $1,000.
In the end, Messi failed to make the trip to the Windy City after the Inter Miami FC star was plagued with what had been described as ‘scar tissue.’ Because of that, Chicago Fire FC decided to offer all fans attending the Wednesday, Oct. 4 match the option to have a $250 credit put towards 2024 season tickets or a $50 account credit for future matches.