'); }); AU / NZ America Europe/UK Membership Login News Events Women in Sport Summit 2026 Women in Sport Performance Form 2026 Playa Power Program Women in Sport Futures Day 2026 Networking View All Education Playa Power Data GlS QUT View All Membership News Australia / New Zealand Events Conferences Awards Networking View All Education Playa Power Data GlS QUT View All Membership Topics Brands Media & Broadcast Olympic Sponsorship Sports Tech Women’s Sport Show More Topics >> Sports Australian Rules Basketball Cricket Netball Rugby League Soccer (Football) Show More Sports >> Login Membership Home > Events > Lionel Messi Sets New MLS Away Attendance Record in Denver Events, Fan Engagement 3 min read Lionel Messi Sets New MLS Away Attendance Record in Denver Written by MOS Editorial Team Published on 20 April 2026 Lionel Messi has further solidified his status as North America’s premier commercial draw, helping set a new Major League Soccer (MLS) away attendance record during Inter Miami’s 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. In a move to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary and accommodate unprecedented ticket demand, the Rapids relocated the fixture from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park to Empower Field at Mile High, the 76,000-seat home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos. The match attracted a staggering 75,824 spectators, officially becoming the largest home crowd in Colorado Rapids history. The figure eclipsed the previous away attendance record set just two months ago in February, when 75,673 fans gathered at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to watch the high-profile showdown between Inter Miami’s Messi and LAFC’s Son Heung-min. On the pitch, Messi delivered on the immense hype, netting a brace to lead the “Herons” to a critical three points. The event now sits as the second-highest single-game attendance in the history of MLS, trailing only the “El Tráfico” derby between the LA Galaxy and LAFC held at the Rose Bowl in July 2023. The record in Denver is the latest evidence of a league-wide strategy to maximise the “Messi Effect” by shifting fixtures to high-capacity NFL and MLB venues. The 75,824-strong crowd in Colorado also came within striking distance of the all-time attendance record for Empower Field at Mile High across any sport, a benchmark of 77,160 set during a 2007 NFL contest between the Broncos and the Green Bay Packers. The Colorado vs. Inter Miami fixture has reshaped the league’s historical leaderboard: Don’t miss out on the latest in sports business – Subscribe today to the free Ministry of Sport newsletter and stay ahead of the game. For even more exclusive insights, event tickets, professional development and networking events, become a MoS Member today! . South Australian Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) Chief Executive Officer Danielle Grant-Cross, has issued... Australian Athletics has officially confirmed that the Australian Athletics Junior Championships and the... St George Illawarra Dragons speed and conditioning coach, Kelly Penfold, has called for... Join the most engaged community in the Sports Business World. Get all the latest news, insights, data, education and event updates. Your MVP in the Business of Sport. We play the game to add value to the Sports Business industry by delivering News, Insights, Education and Events. Join the most engaged community in the sports business world. Want to be part of the team? Subscribe for free to join today! Copyright © 2026 | Ministry of Sport | All Rights Reserved.
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: ministryofsport.com