Too expensive to go see Lionel Messi in Montreal?

Have the record ticket prices to see the wonder Lionel Messi on the Montreal pitch ended up dampening the enthusiasm of soccer fans? Still, there are still plenty of places available, just a few days before the arrival of the Inter Miami star, but the club is confident that the match will be played to a sold-out crowd.

According to a count carried out by Radio-United States, there were still almost 1,350 tickets left, Monday afternoon, to attend the CF Montreal match against the Florida team next Saturday.

CF Montreal sold 15,000 season tickets this year, a record, but also packages for six games. There were therefore around 3,000 tickets left to sell for the match against Lionel Messi. On the club’s website as of Monday, prices ranged from $389 to $10,207, which includes both regular tickets and certified resale tickets.

Several hundred tickets were also available on various resale sites, often offered by season ticket holders.

However, resale prices were falling sharply; for example, $535 tickets went down to $387, a drop of 28%, in just a few hours.

On another site, ticket costs started at $316, but could go up to $6,300 for the best seats.

Not surprising, supporters organization believes

This situation does not surprise Jonah Presser, director of communications for 1642 MTL, an organization of supporters of the Montreal club, who had denounced from the start the price of tickets to see the Inter Miami match.

As we can see, there are a lot of tickets available. I’m not surprised, because we knew from the start that the price displayed by the club was totally unacceptablehe said in an interview with Radio-United States.

Montreal overestimated (its) market and fans’ wallets”,”text”:”It seems that the CFMontréal organization overestimated (its) market and fans’ wallets”}}”>It seems that the CF Montreal organization overestimated (its) market and the wallets of fanshe continues.

Mr. Presser points out that tickets for the next match, against the Columbus Crew, are selling better than the one against Inter Miami.

In fact, there were just under 1,000 seats left for this match, which is nevertheless presented on a Wednesday, a less popular evening than Saturday. Prices ranged from $35 to $515, on the CF Montreal website, for tickets against the Crew.

We know that lots of people wanted to see Messi. It’s not a lack of interest, but not everyone can afford such expensive tickets. And this is what we denouncesays Jonah Presser.

Economic situation plays role, expert says

For professor emeritus at HEC Montréal Jacques Nantel, it is clear that the current economic situation, marked by inflation and high interest rates, plays an important role.

There is a budgetary restriction, without a doubthe said simply.

For him, consumers, but also businesses, pay attention to their budget and must cut expenses deemed superfluous.

Consumers are tighter, but so are businesses. Many of these tickets could have been purchased by companies to bring customers, give giftshe explains.

It’s a question of the situation. I am on the board of directors of several companies in all kinds of fields, and we are seeing a very significant drop in demand in all sectors.

We really see that it is the price which demotivates the fans, because the first two matches of the season were played in front of a packed stadiumadds Jonah Presser.

However, according to CF Montreal, the match will be played behind closed doors. The club notes that fans sometimes wait until the last minute to buy their tickets.

We are waiting to know if the weather will be nice, if Messi will be there. But we know it will be sold outunderlined a manager.

Prices that will yo-yo

Over the next few days, prices could go up or down, like a yo-yo, depending on demand.

deals”,”text”:”Supply and demand is not something static, it is something dynamic. We might think that many consumers are doing the exercise and will look at the price of tickets. If there are tickets left on Friday evening, they may have good deals”}}”>Supply and demand is not something static, it is something dynamic. We might think that many consumers are doing the exercise and will look at the price of tickets. If there are tickets left Friday evening, they may have good dealssays Jacques Nantel.

According to him, CF Montreal could also lower its prices in order to ensure a full stadium.

$ and thinking about making money on hot dogs and beer. But my feeling, is that everything will be sold for Saturday’s match”,”text”:”Yes, they will liquidate, that’s for sure, it’s like plane tickets. They might even liquidate at the last minute at $0 and think they’re making money on hot dogs and beer. But my feeling is that everything will be sold out for Saturday’s match”}}”>Yes, they will liquidate, that’s for sure, it’s like plane tickets. They might even liquidate at the last minute at $0 and think they’re making money on hot dogs and beer. But my feelingis that everything will be sold for Saturday’s matchpredicts Mr. Nantel.

On the CF Montréal website, ticket pricing is dynamic. The club also recommends that fans order on the site to ensure the authenticity of the tickets.

On resale sites, the prices may be dizzying, but the most dedicated enthusiasts could end up getting good deals there.

If we look from hour to hour, we can have peaks upwards, but sometimes it will go down. It might be interestingexplains Jacques Nantel.

Despite the controversy, Professor Nantel believes that CF Montreal’s commercial strategy is the right one.

The team has already sold a lot of tickets at prices that are easily double. She just made a lot of money. It’s not pleasant for the big supporters, but they will continue to go see the CFexplains Mr. Nantel.

The 1642MTL group also hopes that the event will be a success. According to its members, it is an exceptional showcase for Montreal.

The price is a question of principle and accessibility. And we hope that this will not be a missed opportunity. But you can be sure that we will be there to set the mood in our sectionassures Jonah Presser.