Beckham and Messi Unite to Unveil Inter Miami's Stunning New Stadium

Lionel Messi and David Beckham reunited on Thursday as Inter Miami held their first-ever training session at Nu Stadium, getting a feel for the pitch ahead of the club's debut match at the brand-new soccer-specific venue.

The defending MLS Cup champions will inaugurate the 26,700-seat arena at Miami Freedom Park on Saturday evening in a regular-season clash against Austin FC, saying goodbye to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, which had served as the club's temporary home since their MLS debut in 2020. 

Beckham, one of the club's co-owners, was among the earliest to step onto the new Bermuda grass — grown off-site and recently laid down — with the football icon enjoying a brief kickabout before the Herons' training session, during which he shared a warm embrace with Messi. 

The former England captain was the driving force behind the stadium project, having explored various alternative locations including the Port of Miami and downtown before settling on a site near the airport and breaking ground in 2023.

Constructed at a cost of $350 million, the stadium sits right next to Miami International Airport and will mark the club's true arrival in the city of Miami, having spent their entire first six seasons playing outside city limits.

David Beckham at NU Stadium: pic.twitter.com/DM1aYAWoc4

The Details of Nu Stadium

One glance around the stadium leaves no doubt about who calls it home. Pink, grey, and white seats encircle the bowl, while black seats spelling out "Inter Miami" line the lower sections. The venue boasts a standing supporters' section behind the goal, adorned with striking photos from the club's 2025 MLS Cup triumph and other memorable moments, as well as the largest club store in MLS, covering more than 11,000 cubic feet. 

The stadium also pays homage to Messi with the dedicated "Leo Messi Stand," making it one of the first MLS stands to carry a player's name — a tradition more common in Europe — and notably honoring a player who is still active. 

"I was speaking with Leo about the stadium, the whole experience, and how he felt seeing the Lionel Messi Stand as he walks out of the tunnel," said managing owner Jorge Mas. "For a player who's still playing, that's truly unprecedented. It's going to be something special."

The players enjoy a generously sized pink-and-black themed locker room within the stadium, with the surrounding player facilities bathed in pink LED lighting.

Mascherano Wary of Stadium Opener's Emotions

Messi joined his teammates on the pitch shortly after Beckham's early touches but was limited in his involvement during the session, having logged considerable minutes for Argentina during the recent international break. His availability for the weekend fixture also remains uncertain given the extensive travel he has undertaken this week.

Regardless of whether Messi is fit for Saturday, head coach Javier Mascherano stressed that Inter Miami must be fully focused as they return to MLS action. He is keen to avoid the team being swept up in the excitement of the stadium's grand opening, with the aim of sustaining the momentum built in the league following a hard-fought 3–2 victory over New York City FC prior to the international break.

"We have to be careful about how we manage our emotions," Mascherano said.

"We must try not to get too caught up in all the festivities and hype surrounding the pre-match celebration; often, whether consciously or subconsciously, that sort of atmosphere tends to make you relax too much. Instead, we need to harness the positive energy in the air, channel it onto the pitch, and strive to secure the win."

Construction Ongoing, Parking a Concern

While the weekend represents a landmark moment for the club, Nu Stadium is not yet fully finished. Certain areas still require painting, and several features — including the parking structures — remain under construction. Only 4,500 parking spaces will be available on-site come Saturday, prompting the club to encourage fans to use public transportation, which is an uncommon choice for most South Florida residents.

That said, there are no safety concerns, and the club is confident that Saturday's match and future fixtures will proceed smoothly, with limited parking being the primary issue.  

"We obviously have some things left to finish and touch up — that's just part of any construction project," Mas said. "But what matters most to me is delivering an incredible experience and creating a place where we'll be very difficult to beat."

Once fully completed, the stadium is expected to rank among MLS's finest venues and help usher in a new era of soccer-specific stadiums, with New York City FC's Etihad Park set to follow in 2027, Chicago Fire FC's new ground in 2028, and a potential Vancouver Whitecaps stadium on the horizon after that.