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Sunday, February 22, 2026

Copa América Tickets Climb in Latest Lionel Messi Effect

  • Tickets for Argentina’s game in Miami are pushing five figures.
  • The Copa América tournament is usually a preamble for the World Cup.
Lionel Messi
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Lionel Messi continues to be a moneymaker in whichever uniform he dons. 

The global soccer star already helped Inter Miami FC net $120 million in 2023 revenue. Now, the U.S. is seeing price increases to see his native Argentina play Peru in Miami for the Copa América tournament. Ticketmaster data shows tickets for the game in June are already going for $8,400 plus fees shortly after the presale started. As of Friday morning, tickets for Argentina’s game against Chile at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey a few days before the Peru game are going as high as $5,300 for one ticket. 

Messi’s international commitments will keep him from playing every game for Inter Miami in the MLS season. But the U.S. is hosting the Copa América tournament for the first time since 2016, keeping Messi in the States for part of the event. The Copa América tournament starts in June and runs through July and is seen mainly as a dress rehearsal for the FIFA World Cup, which also comes Stateside in ’26. 

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