Wherever Lionel Messi goes with Inter Miami CF, historic crowds tend to follow.
Messi and the Herons’ Matchday 3 visit to D.C. United drew 72,026 fans to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore for a new Black-and-Red home attendance record.
Saturday’s memorable turnout topped D.C.’s previous home attendance record of 57,431 fans that witnessed the club’s 1997 MLS Cup triumph over the Colorado Rapids at RFK Stadium.
It also ranked among the top 10 all-time standalone crowds in Major League Soccer history.
United swapped Audi Field for Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium – home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens – to accommodate Messi & Co.’s visit. The Herons delivered as advertised, earning a 2-1 victory, with the legendary Argentine No. 10 scoring the game-winning goal.
Big crowds have been the norm for Inter Miami road games since Messi’s blockbuster 2023 arrival. The two-time reigning Landon Donovan MLS MVP helped draw 72,610 fans to Arrowhead Stadium for IMCF's 3-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City in April 2024.
Later that month, 65,612 fans packed Gillette Stadium for Miami’s 4-1 win over the New England Revolution, surpassing the club's previous home attendance record (61,316) from hosting MLS Cup 2002.
And just last month, Miami’s MLS is Back visit to LAFC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum drew 75,673 fans – making it the highest-attended game in MLS opening weekend history and the second-highest attended league match of all-time.
