Real Salt Lake Ticket Demand Explodes Ahead Of Messi Appearance
Dec 11, 2025, 4:43 PM | Updated: 4:46 pm
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 06: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after winning and becoming champions following the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Final match between Inter Miami CF and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
SANDY, Utah – Lionel Messi’s upcoming visit to Utah is creating a soccer frenzy unlike anything Real Salt Lake has seen before.
With more than 40,000 ticket requests and thousands of packages already sold, the April 22 showdown against Inter Miami CF could shatter attendance records at America First Field.
RELATED: Messi Coming To Utah In 2026 Real Salt Lake Schedule Release
The time has come
The ticket's priority waitlist is live: https://t.co/n6gusDWYgd pic.twitter.com/26Oli4luh3
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 21, 2025
To manage the massive demand for Messi’s first appearance in Utah on April 22, RSL launched a priority ticket waitlist.
According to Vice President of Communications Trey Fitz-Gerald, nearly 6,000 people had signed up within 30 minutes of the November 20 launch. More than 15,000 fans had registered by the next morning.
Unprecedented ticket demand when Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF come to town
Given the demand, it’s not crazy to think that, if the fire marshal allowed, fans could fill America First Field three times over when the defending MLS Cup champions roll into Utah.
RSL fails to sell out only a handful of matches each season, but demand for this game is off the charts.
a can’t-miss season is on deck for 2026
🔗: https://t.co/WJkoDgF3lY pic.twitter.com/S3eRvxUxs0
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 21, 2025
With demand expected to grow as the season approaches, it would be a surprise if the match doesn’t surpass the previous attendance record (21,810) set in August 2022 against LAFC.
Because of commitments to season ticket holders, group sales, and a limited number of single-game seats, the club is exploring options such as standing-room-only or expanded experiences outside the stadium.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
