MLS 2026 Kicks Off with Record Attendance Thanks to Messi and Son Effect!

Los Angeles, California – The highly anticipated clash between Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Son Heung-min’s LAFC delivered both on the pitch and in the stands, as Major League Soccer (MLS) opened its 2026 season with a historic attendance record.A sellout crowd of 75,673 fans packed the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, setting a new record for the highest-attended MLS season opener in league history. While LAFC secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Inter Miami, the presence of global superstars Messi and Son turned the match into one of the most significant events in MLS history.MLS Attendance RecordThe matchup was moved from LAFC’s regular home, BMO Stadium, to the larger Coliseum; marking the first time in club history that LAFC relocated a home fixture for capacity reasons. The decision proved successful, as the game ranked among the largest single-match attendances in MLS history.According to official league figures, Matchday 1 of the 2026 MLS season drew a combined attendance of 387,271 fans across 15 matches, making it: The most-attended opening weekend in MLS history The highest total attendance for any single match weekend ever recorded by MLS A 5% increase compared to the 2025 opening weekend A 17% rise over the 2025 regular-season average With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching in North America, growing interest in soccer across the United States continues to accelerate; fueled in part by international stars like Messi and Son joining MLS.Messi vs Son: Blockbuster MLS MatchupSince Son Heung-min’s arrival in MLS in the summer of 2025, a showdown with Messi felt inevitable. When the league released its 2026 schedule, the Inter Miami vs LAFC fixture immediately became one of the most anticipated games of the season.Although the on-field result favored LAFC, the spectacle highlighted MLS’s expanding global appeal and commercial growth.Crowd Compares to the All-Time MLS RecordDespite setting the season-opening record, the 75,673 attendance fell short of MLS’s all-time single-game record.That milestone remains with the 2023 LA Galaxy vs LAFC match at the Rose Bowl, which drew 82,110 fans during a Fourth of July clash in Pasadena. Still, the 2026 opener stands as a defining moment for the league, signaling continued momentum as MLS prepares for the global spotlight in 2026.