Columbus Crew Expects Record Attendance for Messi in Cleveland

The Columbus Crew drew a record-setting crowd of 60,614 fans for their match against Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, at Cleveland's Huntington Bank Field, far exceeding their home stadium's capacity. This move to a larger NFL venue was driven by the enormous draw of Messi, reflecting his significant impact on Major League Soccer's popularity. While Messi fans were highly visible, Columbus supporters formed the majority, creating a vibrant home atmosphere. The event marked the eleventh time Messi has played in an NFL stadium since joining MLS, with such matches regularly attracting large crowds. Other MLS teams have also shifted games to NFL venues to accommodate increased interest when Inter Miami and Messi visit. The Crew's attendance figure set a new franchise record but did not make the MLS all-time top 20 for regular-season games.