Legendary Lionel Messi Arrives in Utah April 22
Global Icon Tops Lengthy List of World Stars Slated to Play in Sandy During 2026 RSL Season;
Priority Ticket Access via Waitlist at 8:00 pm MT TONIGHT
SANDY, Utah (Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025) - Real Salt Lake announced today it will welcome global icon Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF to Utah on April 22, 2026. The Utah Club also released its 2026 regular season schedule, which features multiple international soccer legends who are expected to visit its America First Field home in Sandy throughout the celebratory 2026 FIFA World Cup year. Top athletes include: Korean superstar Son Heung-min (Los Angeles Football Club, Sept. 5), German trophy king Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Sept. 19), beloved Mexican figure Chucky Lozano (San Diego FC, April 18) and another German standout, Marco Reus (LA Galaxy, Nov. 7). RSL’s complete 2026 MLS regular season schedule is now available at www.RSL.com.
Additional RSL dates for the 2026 Leagues Cup and the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup competitions will be announced in the near future.
“It is an honor for our family and Miller Sports + Entertainment to welcome the greatest soccer player in the world to Utah,” said Steve Miller, Chairman and Governor for Real Salt Lake. “Many of us recall iconic sports moments in our lifetimes. Watching the great Lionel Messi play in the heart of the Wasatch will be inspiring to fans, young players and our community at large.”
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Messi to the Wasatch Mountains,” said David Blitzer, Alternate Governor for Real Salt Lake. “Messi’s arrival at America First Field weeks before he captains Argentina’s World Cup defense here in North America will be celebrated and remembered for generations.”
Fans seeking 2026 Real Salt Lake season tickets and four-game packages, including the Inter Miami CF match, should access the Club’s Priority Ticket Waitlist at RSL.com at 8:00 pm MT TONIGHT. RSL Fan Relations representatives will contact potential customers in the order in which online inquiries are received to discuss ticket options.
“Across the world, soccer brings people together, and here in Utah, we love being part of that story,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. “Utahns love sports, and our fans are known for their warm, friendly spirit. We’re excited to see the greatest soccer player of all time play on the RSL field with the stunning Wasatch Mountains as the backdrop.”
In 2026, Real Salt Lake will play a 34-game MLS regular-season slate, with 17 matches at home and 17 away. RSL will commence its 2026 campaign on Sat., Feb. 21 as part of Major League Soccer’s “First Kick” weekend, in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Claret-and-Cobalt then return to Sandy for its 2026 home opener at America First Field against reigning Leagues Cup champion, Seattle Sounders FC, on Sat., Feb. 28. RSL also completes the 2026 season with a home date on the Sat., Nov. 7 “Decision Day” against Reus, Ricky Puig and the LA Galaxy.
“This is a can’t-miss season. We expect incredible demand from our season ticket holders and our ever-broadening fan base. We are excited to offer a priority waitlist and multiple ticket options for fans,” said John Kimball, president of business operations, Real Salt Lake. “Next year’s slate brings players and teams to the pitch that will unite and inspire our local sports and entertainment community. Major League Soccer is on the rise, and today’s announcement highlights this momentum.”
In an historic scheduling rarity, RSL will alternate home/away contests for the first eight weeks of 2026, with the Messi / Miami visit on Wed., April 22, marking the first of five back-to-back home matches throughout the year. Due to the midseason hiatus for the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico, RSL will not host an MLS match between May 16 and August 15. However, America First Field could host multiple Real Salt Lake matches against Liga MX opponents in the 2026 Leagues Cup in early August, following the July 29 MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte.
Following Decision Day 2026 on November 7, MLS will observe the November FIFA window before beginning one month of uninterrupted Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs action, culminating in Major League Soccer’s championship match, 2026 MLS Cup presented by Audi. The complete postseason schedule will be announced at a later date.
Starting with the 2026 MLS season, all RSL / MLS matches will be available on Apple TV, with no separate subscription required, and no blackouts or restrictions worldwide. All RSL games will yet again be available on local radio via KSL Sports Zone (English: 97.5 FM / 1280 AM) and on Alpha Media (Spanish: 102.3 KDUT FM / 106.3 FM KBMG). The Club will announce its full slate of 2026 promotion nights at a later date.
Additional Perspectives
"Welcoming Messi to Utah is an iconic moment for the State of Sport,” said Jeff Robbins, president and CEO, Utah Sports Commission. “Thank you to Real Salt Lake, Major League Soccer, the Miller family, and everyone who helped make this April 22 milestone possible."
“Sandy City is honored and excited to host legendary athlete Lionel Messi and invites RSL fans and our community to share in this historic moment,” said Monica Zoltanski, Sandy City Mayor. “Miller Sports + Entertainment and RSL are committed partners, and we look forward to welcoming renowned soccer players to Sandy City. We cannot wait for the 2026 season.”
