Whitecaps Settling Class-Action Lawsuit with Fans Over Messi No-Show

A settlement has been proposed in a class-action lawsuit relating to the absence of soccer superstar Lionel Messi and other Inter Miami players during a match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC held last year at BC Place Stadium.

The match, which took place on May 25, 2024, in front of a crowd exceeding 51,000 fans, led to over 3,000 fans petitioning for refunds following ticket prices spiking past $600, contrasting with the customary $30 pricing. Promotional efforts centered around Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets were the main cause for dissatisfaction.

The proposed settlement between piqued fans who took legal action against the Whitecaps and Major League Soccer includes revisions to the Whitecaps’ ticketing guidelines and a charitable contribution totaling $475,000 made by the defendants of the case. The pending agreement emphasizes that no direct monetary compensation will be provided to the members involved in the class-action lawsuit.

The settlement states that it remains subject to approval at a court hearing scheduled for February and that the defendants of the case do not admit any wrongdoing or liability and maintain that the lawsuit’s assertions are baseless.

While Whitecaps FC has acknowledged the proposed settlement, they have opted not to elaborate on the matter. According to the settlement declaration, the plaintiffs in question argue that the Whitecaps and MLS irresponsibly promoted the game using the likenesses of Miami players Messi, Suárez, and Busquets without certainty regarding their participation.

Fans in attendance demonstrated their discontent during the Inter Miami victory by chanting “Where is Messi?” The petition to secure refunds highlighted the disappointment felt following Messi, Suárez, and Busquets, highly regarded players, failing to feature in the touted match after spearheading promotional efforts, pushing ticket prices up.

The defendants in the lawsuit consist of Whitecaps FC, their principal partner WFC Football GP, as well as Major League Soccer. The settlement presents an opportunity for class members to express their intention to opt-out before January 28, 2026. If approved, updated ticketing terms will clarify that player appearances are not guaranteed.

The proposed settlement will apply to all ticket holders globally, irrespective of their attendance at the match, excluding complimentary or internally distributed tickets. Evolink Law, a firm based in British Columbia, is yet to comment on the matter, and the court must endorse the settlement for it to come into effect.