Lionel Messi’s arrival in the nation’s capital brought out a historic turnout. A crowd of 72,026 fans packed M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday to watch Inter Miami take on DC United, setting a new all-time home attendance record for the Black-and-Red. The figure surpassed the club’s previous record of 57,431, set during their 1997 MLS Cup victory over the Colorado Rapids at RFK Stadium. It also ranks among the top 10 standalone crowds in MLS history.
DC United relocated the match from Audi Field to Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, specifically to accommodate the demand that comes with a Messi visit. The Argentine legend did not disappoint, scoring the winner in a 2-1 Inter Miami victory.
Large crowds have become routine for Inter Miami on the road since Messi’s blockbuster arrival in 2023. In April 2024, 72,610 fans turned out at Arrowhead Stadium for Miami’s 3-2 win over Sporting Kansas City, followed later that month by 65,612 at Gillette Stadium for a 4-1 victory over the New England Revolution, which broke that club’s previous home attendance record.
Just last month, Miami’s visit to LAFC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum drew 75,673 fans, making it the highest-attended game in MLS opening weekend history and the second-highest attended league match of all time.
Leave Your Comment Here