With Lionel Messi main Inter Miami into its strongest postseason run thus far, 2026 is shaping as much as be a milestone yr for the membership because it lastly transitions from Chase Stadium to its new house. With three months remaining earlier than the subsequent MLS common season kicks off, the date for the Herons’ first league match at Miami Freedom Park has now been formally revealed.
Inter Miami’s management had lengthy aimed to safe Messi’s future on the membership, because the Argentine star’s contract had been set to run out on the finish of 2025. The foremost announcement arrived in late October, when the workforce launched a video of Messi signing his new deal inside Miami Freedom Park, which stays underneath development.
With the discharge of the 2026 MLS regular-season schedule, Inter Miami confirmed that the primary match at Miami Freedom Park will happen on April 4 for Matchday 5. The house opener will see Messi and the Herons internet hosting Austin FC in what is anticipated to be a landmark celebration for the fanbase.
It stays unsure whether or not the sport in opposition to Austin would be the first time Inter Miami steps onto the pitch at Miami Freedom Park, because the membership can be collaborating within the upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup. Final season, Inter Miami performed its first match of the match, in opposition to Sporting Kansas Metropolis, earlier than the beginning of the MLS marketing campaign, that means a Champions Cup fixture might precede the April 4 house opener.
Inter Miami announcement of Lionel Messi’s contract extension.
One other key element from the schedule is that Resolution Day 2026 shall be held on Saturday, November 7. On that date, Inter Miami will shut out the common season at Miami Freedom Park at 4 p.m. ET in opposition to Charlotte FC, marking Messi’s fourth season with the membership.
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Inter Miami and closing matches at Chase Stadium
At present within the midst of the MLS playoffs and getting ready to face FC Cincinnati within the Japanese Convention semifinals, Messi might have already performed his closing match at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami superior after a commanding 4-0 win over Nashville SC at house and can now journey to TQL Stadium for the convention semifinal.
If Inter Miami falls to Cincinnati on Sunday, the membership is not going to play one other aggressive match at Chase Stadium. A house convention closing would solely happen if the Herons face New York Metropolis FC; if Philadelphia Union advances, the Union would host the match after clinching the Supporters’ Defend.
