Inter Miami CF has announced that they will continue playing at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, through the 2025 Major League Soccer season. The club had initially planned for the new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, to be ready for the 2025 campaign. However, it was confirmed in a recent email to fans that the upcoming season will be the “final season” in Fort Lauderdale before making the move to the new venue in Miami. This decision has left some fans disappointed as they were eagerly anticipating the move to the new stadium.
Many season ticket holders have expressed their dissatisfaction with the club for implementing a second price increase since the arrival of Argentine star Lionel Messi in the summer of 2023. Some fans feel that they were promised the benefit of being the “first in line” for Miami Freedom Park tickets when they purchased their season tickets, only to see the move delayed. This has led to frustrations among supporters, with some choosing not to renew their memberships due to the significant increase in ticket prices over the past two years.
With the target move to Miami Freedom Park now set for 2026, there is uncertainty about whether Lionel Messi will still be with Inter Miami at that time. Messi’s contract with the MLS club expires at the end of 2025, and it is unknown if he will extend his stay in South Florida. This raises questions about whether fans will get to see Messi play at the new stadium as originally planned. The delay in the stadium’s opening has thrown a wrench into the club’s plans, leaving both fans and players in limbo.
Construction on the 25,000-seat Miami Freedom Park began in August 2023, with the club targeting a 2025 opening. However, due to unforeseen delays, the stadium will not be ready until 2026. Inter Miami’s managing owner, Jorge Mas, had previously expressed his excitement about welcoming fans to the new state-of-the-art stadium and watching Messi and the team play there for the first time. The setback in construction has left fans disappointed and uncertain about the future of the club.
Despite the disappointment surrounding the delayed stadium opening, Miami currently sits at the top of the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings after 25 games. The team’s performance on the field has been impressive, but the off-field issues, such as the stadium delay and price increases, have overshadowed their success. As the club looks ahead to the upcoming season, there are many uncertainties that both fans and players must navigate.
Inter Miami CF’s decision to delay the opening of Miami Freedom Park until 2026 has created a sense of uncertainty and disappointment among fans. The club’s handling of the situation, including the price increases and uncertainty surrounding Messi’s future, has left many supporters feeling disillusioned. As the team looks to the future, it will be important for them to address these concerns and regain the trust and support of their loyal fan base.
Leave a Reply