Lionel Messi Packs the Stands: Inter Miami Dominates MLS All-Time Attendance Records

As star talent continues to flood into MLS and rivalries grow stronger each season, record attendance figures keep climbing. 

For the third occasion in the 2026 season, a fixture drew more than 70,000 spectators, as Inter Miami edged the Colorado Rapids 3–2 at Empower Field at Mile High, the NFL Denver Broncos' home stadium, on Matchday 8. 

The contest, in which Lionel Messi netted twice and assisted on another goal, drew an attendance of 75,824, placing it second all-time in MLS regular season history, trailing only the 2023 Independence Day El Tráfico Derby between the LA Galaxy and LAFC held at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. 

It also set a new record for the largest crowd ever to watch Inter Miami or Messi in action, and the highest attendance for any match not involving LAFC, eclipsing the 75,673 present at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum when LAFC defeated Inter Miami 3–0 to kick off the 2026 MLS regular season. 

Beyond the LAFC and Colorado fixtures, Inter Miami also performed in front of 72,026 fans in the 2026 season, beating D.C. United at the NFL Baltimore Ravens' home ground. Those three appearances helped Inter Miami achieve a landmark milestone, becoming the first MLS club to attract crowds exceeding 71,000 on at least three separate occasions within a single MLS season. 

While MLS clubs have been pulling in impressive crowds in recent seasons, Messi's arrival in the summer of 2023 has given attendance a further lift, alongside the debated decisions by several teams to vacate their soccer-specific venues in favor of neighboring NFL stadiums for matches involving the iconic Argentine. 

Such figures stand in stark contrast to the capacity of Inter Miami's own home ground. Nu Stadium, which opened in April 2026, holds just 26,700 supporters.

In MLS Cup playoff history, Atlanta United owns the top three best-attended matches, with attendances exceeding 73,000 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the 2018 postseason, while the fourth spot belongs to the Seattle Sounders' 69,274-strong crowd at the 2019 MLS Cup, where they claimed the title at Toronto FC's expense. 

Still, the story is far from over. With the roster of marquee players continuing to expand and soccer's profile set to soar following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, further records could well be broken in the coming months.

Top 10 Regular Season Attendances in MLS History