Inter Miami is opening a new stadium designed to be more than just a matchday venue. One particular feature is already drawing major attention from fans. What makes this stadium stand out even before its first game?

Lionel Messi Stand at the new Inter Miami stadium

The new Inter Miami stadium is one of the most important infrastructure projects in American soccer. The venue has been designed as a modern arena with a single-bowl seating layout, allowing for maximum atmosphere during matches.

The Lionel Messi Stand will include sections 117–121 on the lower level and 217–223 on the upper tier. This means that fans seated in this part of the stadium will have some of the best views of the pitch while also being at the center of the action and support. The Lionel Messi Stand is intended to play a special role in building the atmosphere. Thanks to its location and design, it will become one of the loudest areas of the stadium. The club also announces additional attractions for fans in this zone, including surprises and special experiences aimed at distinguishing this section from others.

Impact of Lionel Messi on the development of Inter Miami and MLS

Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Lionel Messi has played a key role in the club’s transformation. Under his captaincy, the team has won its first trophies, including the Leagues Cup, Supporters’ Shield, Eastern Conference title, and MLS Cup.

The Argentine has also set individual records – becoming the club’s all-time top scorer and assist leader, with a total of 82 goals and 53 assists in 94 matches. In the 2025 season, he won the MLS Golden Boot and was also named league MVP for the second consecutive time, something no player had achieved before.

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Construction of Nu Stadium in Miami and the difficult path to project realization

The opening of Nu Stadium, with a capacity of 26,700 seats, is scheduled for April 4 and will be one of the most important moments in Inter Miami’s history. However, the road to completing this investment was long and full of twists.

David Beckham’s initial vision was to build a waterfront stadium – with views of the bay and the city skyline. The first project in the Port of Miami did not receive approval from authorities, nor did a second attempt at Biscayne Boulevard near the current Kaseya Center arena.

The third option – near Marlins Park in the Little Havana district – also failed. A breakthrough only came after cooperation began with Jorge and Jose Mas, who brought business and infrastructure support to the project. It was then that a realistic stadium concept was developed, ultimately leading to the construction of Nu Stadium.

The stadium itself is part of a much larger urban development project worth approximately $1 billion, covering over 130 acres. In addition to the stadium, commercial, entertainment, and hotel spaces will be developed, with the entire complex being built in phases until 2030. At the time of opening, part of the accompanying infrastructure will already be available, although the surrounding area will remain a large construction site for the coming years.

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Infrastructure around Inter Miami stadium and new access roads

The infrastructure around the stadium has been designed to handle large-scale events. More than 4,500 parking spaces will be created, along with new roads totaling 4 kilometers in length, and a pedestrian bridge to improve connectivity in the area. The final elements of the stadium, including the installation of the last seats, are expected to be completed just before the inauguration.

An important part of the organizational strategy is also the promotion of public transport. Fans will be encouraged to use trains, buses, and the Metrorail system, which connects to the Miami Intermodal Center – a transport hub located directly next to the stadium. As an additional incentive, fans choosing this mode of transport will receive a $10 credit for stadium food and beverages.