📍 Cleveland, Ohio — April 19, 2025
Lionel Messi continues to bring record crowds wherever he goes. On Saturday, the Argentine superstar and Inter Miami will face the Columbus Crew in a special Major League Soccer matchup at Cleveland’s Huntington Bank Field — marking another unique moment in Messi’s storied career.
Rather than hosting the game at Lower.com Field, the Crew opted to move the match to the home of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. Columbus Crew’s ownership group, Haslam Sports Group — which also owns the Browns — leveraged their dual ownership to set up this one-time event.
“This is a unique moment in time with Messi,” said Josh Glessing, Haslam Sports Group’s chief of strategy development and president of Crew business operations. “We can fill the building and ensure Northeast Ohio’s first experience with the Crew happens in a packed house.”
Messi Continues to Draw Record Crowds Across MLS
Saturday’s game marks the 11th time Messi will play an MLS match in an NFL stadium since joining Inter Miami in 2023. Previous matches at NFL venues have averaged over 61,500 fans.
Last season, Sporting Kansas City moved its match against Miami to Arrowhead Stadium, drawing 72,610 fans. Earlier this week, the Chicago Fire set a single-game record with 62,358 fans attending their matchup against Miami at Soldier Field.
The Crew expects Saturday’s attendance to break their own single-game record of 31,550, set back in 1996 at Ohio Stadium.
“Taking games into big stadiums and selling them out speaks to the impact Messi has on Major League Soccer,” said MLS executive vice president Camilo Durana. “There is an exciting legacy impact that many people have not realized yet.”
Not All Crew Supporters Embrace the Move
Despite the excitement, not everyone is thrilled. Crew supporters group, the Nordecke, announced it will not provide its traditional support, including chant leaders and equipment, protesting the decision to move the match to Cleveland.
Northeast Ohio’s Soccer Heritage
While Columbus has long been an MLS stronghold, Cleveland and Northeast Ohio have a rich soccer history as well. The Cleveland Force were a top draw in the Major Indoor Soccer League during the 1980s. More recently, the University of Akron has built a national reputation in college soccer, producing talents like Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe.
Cleveland was recently in contention for a National Women’s Soccer League expansion team but fell short. However, a new local group plans to field a club in the upcoming WPSL Pro division.
Huntington Bank Field has hosted numerous high-profile soccer matches, including U.S. men’s and women’s national team games and Concacaf Gold Cup events.
“We hope these fans will travel to Columbus in the future to continue supporting the Crew,” Glessing said.
A Clash of Unbeatens
Beyond the historic venue and star power, Saturday’s game is a marquee matchup between MLS’s two remaining unbeaten teams. The Crew (5-0-3) sit atop the Eastern Conference with 18 points, while Inter Miami (4-0-3) trails close behind with 15 points.
Messi has three goals and two assists in four MLS appearances this season, continuing to electrify crowds across North America.
Crew midfielder Sean Zawadzki, a Cleveland native, said the opportunity to play in front of hometown fans holds special meaning.
“To me, it means a lot,” Zawadzki said. “It is a place I grew up going to, supporting the Browns and other teams in Cleveland. Being closer to family and friends is special. I am really looking forward to the game.”
