Vancouver, BC - April 14, 2025 - Vancouver is electric with anticipation as the Whitecaps prepare to face Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal on April 24, 2025, at BC Place. Yet, the frenzy recalls a bitter memory from 2024 when fans were left heartbroken.

Just days after the matchup was announced, ticket prices for the Vancouver leg soared into the thousands on the resale market. Originally sold on April 10 and 11 for $42 to $132 (plus fees), the game at BC Place—capable of hosting over 54,000 for sports events—sold out almost instantly. By April 14, 2025, fans desperate to see the soccer legend had to turn to resellers. The cheapest tickets available hovered around $200, with a few listed as low as $156—a far cry from their initial $42 face value. Premium seats commanded prices well into the four figures, reflecting Messi’s global draw.

This ticket frenzy echoes last year’s disappointment. In May 2024, over 54,000 fans filled BC Place expecting Messi to play in a regular-season MLS match. Tickets, hyped as part of the Whitecaps’ 50th-anniversary celebration, sold out rapidly, with some reselling for thousands. But days before the game, Inter Miami announced Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets would not attend, citing rest before Copa América. The news crushed fans, sparking outrage and even a class-action lawsuit over inflated ticket costs. The club’s attempt to soften the blow with discounted concessions and youth vouchers did little to ease the sting.

Now, with the 2025 semifinal approaching, Vancouver fans are hopeful but wary. The high stakes of the Champions Cup suggest Messi will play, but last year’s no-show lingers. Will BC Place finally witness his brilliance, or face another letdown?

#Messi Vancouver 2025 #CONCACAF Champions Cup #Vancouver Whitecaps
#Messi No Show #Soccer Vancouver #Inter Miami #WBN News Vancouver #Elke Porter

Connect with Elke at Westcoast German Media or on LinkedIn: Elke Porter or contact her on WhatsApp:  +1 604 828 8788

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