Messi in Charlotte: How to get tickets, watch, stream Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC

One of the greatest soccer players in history is traveling to Charlotte.

Lionel Messi, after indicating earlier in the week that he planned on playing in Inter Miami’s regular-season finale on the road against Charlotte FC, will be with his Major League Soccer team in Charlotte, according to a report from The Miami Herald.

It’s an exciting update for the 60,000-plus who have purchased tickets to the game, which is set to kick off Saturday night at 6 p.m. on Bank of America Stadium’s turf.

It also, meanwhile, makes Charlotte FC’s path to clinching a playoff berth a bit more treacherous.

Here’s everything you need to know — from how to get tickets, to how to watch or follow the match from afar, to what’s at stake when the two teams do battle.

Are you sure Lionel Messi is playing in Charlotte?

While fans and coaches won’t truly know this answer until Saturday night, the left-footed superstar has provided every indication that his intention is to play.

The strongest indication came Tuesday night in an interview with ESPN after Messi scored both goals in a 2-0 2026 World Cup qualifier for Argentina. That quote, in full: “I will train, I will play our upcoming match (against Charlotte FC) and I will try to get here (to the national team) in the best possible way for November. After that, I will enjoy the holidays in Argentina. It’s the first time that I am going to have more days off in December, with the holidays, with peace of mind, with my people. In January, I will return again to do preseason. Start from scratch and prepare as best as possible as always.”

He’s followed that up with further promising actions: being in a field-level suite in Inter Miami’s Wednesday match (also against Charlotte FC) and, as mentioned, being en route to Charlotte.

Charlotte FC tickets on Saturday

Charlotte FC still has tickets available for purchase, according to Ticketmaster. The cheapest are going for $60 before fees, with lower-bowl tickets ranging from $200 to $400.

The team has sold upward of 60,000, per a team spokesperson, and that includes seating in the upper bowl of the stadium, which is closed for most matches.

How to watch Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami

Like every MLS home match, you can watch Saturday evening’s contest live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. In order to do this, you must subscribe to MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app — which will give you access to every game of the MLS Cup Playoffs, too. Season Ticket Members have access to this already.

You can also meet up with friends and watch it at bars showing the game. Click here for a full 2023 Bar Network, a list provided by the team.

How to listen to Charlotte FC match

Locally, listen to the match on WFNZ 92.7 FM for the English broadcast and WOLS 106.1 FM for the Spanish broadcast. For all other radio channels in the Carolinas, visit here.

What’s at stake in Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami match?

Inter Miami is out of the playoffs and don’t gain much from playing in Saturday’s contest, which is partly why Messi’s attendance and expected participation is a pleasant surprise.

But a ton is on the line for Charlotte FC.

After the Queen City side tied in its most recent contest — a 2-2 draw also against Inter Miami on Wednesday where Charlotte led by a goal late — the team needs to win to have a chance at the postseason. In addition to that, Charlotte FC will need some help: At least two of the three teams above them in the standings — CF Montreal, New York Red Bulls and Chicago Fire FC — need to drop points in their simultaneous matches Saturday.

Take a look at the full Eastern Conference table here. The Top 9 teams from each conference makes the division.

It’s worth noting that all three of the teams Charlotte FC needs to lose or draw have tough matchups away from home. But it’s also worth noting that Charlotte will be in a difficult match of its own. A Messi-led Inter Miami squad is a scary sight: After the team dwelt in last for much of the season, the team took on a new life with the arrival of Messi — who has scored 11 goals in 13 appearances for the squad and was a huge reason why Miami won the Leagues Cup earlier this season.

Charlotte FC (9 wins, 13 draws, 11 losses) has earned points in its past three matches to get in this position in the first place. It’s a run reminiscent of the one the team went on last year that felt just short of a playoff berth.