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WASHINGTON — As Lionel Messi solidifies his future with a contract extension at Inter Miami, MLS teams are eyeing the opportunity presented by his presence. While the league has yet to unveil the 2026 schedule, D.C. United is considering relocating its upcoming home match against Miami to M&T Bank Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, according to Yahoo Sports.
United’s Audi Field has a capacity of 20,000, while the Ravens’ stadium accommodates around 71,000. Reports suggest that the chance to profit from Messi’s appearance is a primary motivator, especially as Baltimore is Maryland’s largest city, located 55 miles northeast of Washington.
Additionally, Baltimore is United’s preferred site for constructing a new stadium for their third-division team. A source indicated that United is keeping its venue options flexible for the significant match against Miami and may still opt for Audi Field.
Officials from United have declined to comment, while the Maryland State Athletic Commission, which oversees the event in the state, deferred inquiries to the Ravens’ organization, which hasn’t responded.
By choosing to play in Baltimore, United would skip the often-criticized Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, just 11 miles east of Audi Field. Washington’s available facilities have faced longstanding issues regarding upkeep and parking. An NFL venue is expected to be developed on the RFK Stadium grounds by 2030.
The match between D.C. and Miami would be a significant event for Baltimore, which lacks representation in MLS or the United Soccer League’s second and third tiers. M&T Bank Stadium has hosted various club friendlies and matches for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
D.C. United isn’t the first MLS franchise to relocate a game with Miami to a larger venue. This season, the Columbus Crew played Miami 146 miles north at Huntington Bank Field, home to the Cleveland Browns, drawing a crowd of 60,614—almost triple the capacity of Lower.com Field. The Crew and Browns are both owned by the Haslam family.
In 2024, a match between Miami and Sporting Kansas City was moved from Children’s Mercy Park (capacity 18,491) to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, attracting 72,610 fans.
Yet, the demands of Messi’s commitments to both Miami and the Argentine national team pose a risk of his absence due to injury or fatigue. For instance, Chicago Fire’s promotional efforts for Messi’s visit to Soldier Field were thwarted last year when he was unable to play; the Fire offered ticket discounts to those who had bought seats expecting him.
Opting for a larger stadium increases the risk of losing home-field advantage, as many attendees would come primarily to support Messi and Miami rather than D.C. United.
Messi’s appearance in large venues this year has led to an average attendance of 47,583, compared to the league average of 21,754. D.C. United has struggled, experiencing the league’s longest playoff drought at six years and a 9.6% drop in home attendance to 16,389 recently.
If United confirms plans for the Baltimore venue, it would mean Messi continues to miss appearances in the nation’s capital. His MLS debut in 2023 took place right after Miami visited Washington, but injuries have sidelined him in 2024 and ’25.
Fan Take:
This matchup could be a turning point for soccer in the region, potentially introducing a broader audience to the excitement of MLS. Messi’s presence not only boosts ticket sales but also enhances the league’s profile, making soccer a more competitive sport in America.
