Inter Miami will open this Saturday, April 4, 2026 their new permanent stadium, which will put them on par in game day and commercial revenue with NFL and NBA franchises, and which features a stand in honor of its captain, Lionel Messialmost three years after the start of the works.
He Inter Miami, current MLS Cup champion, will host Austin in the first game in its new home, called Nu Stadium for sponsorship reasons, on the sixth day of the MLS.
With capacity for 26,700 spectators, including luxury boxes overlooking the locker room tunnel, the club expects box office revenue to increase more than 30% compared to last year at Chase Stadium, a temporary stadium for around 21,000 spectators located in the town of Fort Lauderdale, north of Miami.
In comparison, the Nu Stadium is located near downtown Miamiin the surroundings of the international airport. It is the heart of the Miami Freedom Park, an extensive 53-hectare area whose work is still underway to shape a public park, commercial spaces, hotels and offices.
A post-Messi source of income
The construction of the stadium opens a new source of income for Inter Miami, which at the beginning of the 2026 season became the most valuable club in the MLS, with a valuation of $1.45 billion, according to a report by the specialized media Sportico.
In addition to ticket sales and merchandise, with a store much larger than the one at Chase Stadium, the club also hopes its new home will host concerts and other shows.
According to Sportico, only half of the NFL teams and about eight in the NBA will generate more game-day and commercial revenue than Inter Miami in 2026.
One of the first forms of exploitation was the contract signed with the Brazilian digital bank Nu to name the stadium.
The agreement also includes the Nu logo on the back of the Inter Miami jersey, and two spaces in the stadium: a premium hall for 770 people, and Nu Plaza, a community center with meeting spaces, a giant screen and seating.
In addition, Inter Miami has already closed its first concert. On June 28, Mexican singer Carín León will become the first artist to perform there, as part of his North American tour.
All of this to amortize an investment that, with the stadium alone, cost $350 million, according to estimates by the Miami Herald.
A stand in honor of Messi
Allow us to enlighten your feed with our new home 🤩 pic.twitter.com/NJcEfietTk
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 2, 2026
On a football level, the stadium is already ready to receive Austin, with the grass, stands and lighting in good condition.
In addition, it presents the novelty of housing the ‘Leo Messi’ stand, which pays tribute to the Argentine star when he is still an active player for the club, a rare case in sport.
In the stands you can read the name of the footballer in white letters on a pink background, and there are signs with the number 10, in reference to his number.
Messi has been a fundamental pillar for the club’s sporting and economic success since his arrival in Miami in the summer of 2023. With him, the team has not only become the most valued in MLS, but has also raised a Leagues Cup (2023), a Supporters’ Shield (2024) and an MLS Cup (2025).
Mascherano, Noah Allen, Daniel Pinter, Santi Morales & Alex Shaw on Nu Stadium 🩷🏟️ pic.twitter.com/S3HrGUmvTM
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 2, 2026
