New England Revolution’s Anticipated Groundbreaking Attendance Record
The highly anticipated visit of renowned football star Lionel Messi to Gillette Stadium next month is poised to shatter the New England Revolution’s long-standing single-game attendance record. Surpassing all expectations, over 60,000 tickets have already been sold for the upcoming matchup against Inter Miami, as officially announced by the New England Revolution this Wednesday.
With less than 5,000 tickets remaining available for purchase, the April 27 Major League Soccer clash promises to be a momentous event in the history of the Revolution. The club is on course to exceed its previous attendance milestone of 61,316 spectators, established during the 2002 MLS Cup when New England played host to the LA Galaxy.
Past Record-Breaking Attendances
Reflecting on past accomplishments, the Revolution’s prior regular-season attendance record harkens back to 1997 when the New England team played against the Tampa Bay Mutiny during a doubleheader that also featured a World Cup qualifying match between Mexico and the United States.
Notably, Gillette Stadium, the iconic venue that also serves as the home ground for the six-time Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots, first opened its doors in 2002. The previous record attendance for a regular-season Revolution match at the stadium stood at 42,947 in the year 2015. Comparatively, during the last NFL season, the New England Patriots boasted an average home attendance of 63,018 fans.
Lionel Messi’s Magnetism
Lionel Messi’s enduring appeal among soccer enthusiasts in the United States is unmistakable. Despite his injury struggles, fans remain enthusiastic about the potential opportunity to witness his exceptional talent and skill firsthand in Foxborough. However, uncertainty lingers as to whether the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will be fit to compete in the upcoming fixture.
Manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino of Inter Miami has provided updates on Messi’s condition, confirming that the Argentine superstar is being evaluated on a week-to-week basis following his absence from recent MLS matches and international friendlies due to a hamstring injury. The primary objective is to ensure Messi’s fitness for Miami’s crucial Champions Cup quarterfinal encounters against Monterrey on April 3 and April 10.
Interestingly, history has shown that ticket sales can skyrocket in anticipation of Messi’s appearance, only for unforeseen circumstances to prevent his participation. A similar scenario unfolded last season when Chicago Fire offered ticketed fans incentives in light of Messi’s absence due to injury, showcasing the unpredictability that comes with such high-profile events.
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