Sports

Messi effect causes Copa América ticket prices to skyrocket

Tickets to watch Lionel Messi and Argentina compete in this year’s Copa América have been listed for more than $21,000 (£16,500/€19,300) just a day after the pre-sale period begun.

While the general sale of tickets for the tournament is not until Wednesday (February 28), pre-sale for the competition started on Thursday last week through Ticketmaster and resale prices have already increased rapidly.

On SeatGeek, two tickets to Argentina’s group stage match against Chile at MetLife Stadium on June 25 were priced at $21,503 each.

The tickets were described as being in the first row of section 142 in the New Jersey venue, which is also due to stage the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, near the penalty box on one end.

Those soon disappeared from the site, however, with the next most-expensive seats for that game currently listed for $12,795.

The cheapest tickets for that game are $480, while the lowest price for Argentina’s match against a yet-to-be-determined CONCACAF qualifier in Atlanta on June 20 is $297.

The beginning of the general sale is expected to ease price swings.

Since arriving in the US last year to play for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, Messi has been extremely popular with fans and his impact has seemingly carried over to the international stage.

The Copa América, which was last held in the US in 2016, is due to begin on June 20 and will see Argentina attempt to defend its title from 2021.