Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are coming to New York City this month for an MLS showdown against New York City FC at Citi Field.
The September 24 match, set for 7:30 PM, is a rare chance to see one of soccer’s all-time greats play in Queens, easily accessible for fans from the five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and southern Connecticut.
Citi Field is an uncommon stage for MLS action, with Yankee Stadium serving as NYCFC’s primary home and New York Red Bulls playing across the Hudson in New Jersey. That makes this a unique opportunity to catch top-flight soccer in Flushing.
MLS Star Power: Messi and More
At 38, the clock is ticking on Messi’s legendary career. Yet he continues to deliver. He’s second in the league in goals this season, just one behind leader Sam Surridge, despite playing 10 fewer matches.
Messi is said to be negotiating a contract extension with Inter Miami, but his recent hesitation about playing in next year’s World Cup suggests retirement may be closer than fans think.
That means this may be one of the last chances to see him play live in New York.
As for this month’s match, Messi won’t be alone. Inter Miami brings plenty of firepower, including longtime teammate Luis Suárez, who will make his return from suspension in the Citi Field match.
NYCFC and Inter Miami Jockey for Playoff Position
The stakes are high as both clubs fight for playoff seeding.
If the season ended today, Inter Miami would secure the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, while NYCFC would claim a Wild Card spot and face Chicago in the first round. For NYCFC, the push is on to crack the top seven and avoid a single-elimination Wild Card match.
Last year, Miami entered the postseason as the top seed but was stunned by ninth-seeded Atlanta United in the opening round. NYCFC made it to the semifinals before falling 2–0 to crosstown rivals Red Bulls.
This year, both sides are aiming for deeper playoff runs — and their showdown in Queens could be a turning point.
Tickets: Inter Miami vs. NYCFC
Seats around the pitch are sold out through the box office, but plenty remain available on the resale market.
There are even front-row seats available near the Inter Miami and NYCFC dugouts, giving fans a chance to see Messi up close and capture incredible photos.
Looking for corner seats? Well, since Citi Field is a baseball stadium retrofitted for soccer, there’s really just one true corner section that gets you right up against the pitch for those corner-kick moments.
These front-row seats give you the ultimate view of the action, while these corner seats a few rows back offer a more affordable way to catch every set piece up close.
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