Historic Home Opener Set at Miami Freedom Park, Featuring Match Against Austin FC
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will play their inaugural Major League Soccer match at the newly constructed Miami Freedom Park stadium on April 4, 2026. The 25,000-seat venue near Miami International Airport has been eagerly anticipated as the team’s new home.
The 2026 MLS season will kick off on February 21 and run through November 7, with Inter Miami opening the campaign with five consecutive away matches to allow final preparations at the stadium.
Miami Freedom Park’s home debut will feature a match against Austin FC, scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff under the new stadium lights.
Messi recently signed a three-year contract extension with Inter Miami, keeping him with the club through 2028 and ensuring he will lead the team when the new facility opens.
The stadium opening caps a broader MLS initiative, with two other new venues planned to open within the next two seasons for New York City FC and Chicago Fire FC.
The 2026 season will mark the final campaign with MLS’s traditional February-to-November schedule, with a transition to a summer-to-spring calendar expected for 2027-28 to better align with global leagues.
The season includes a nearly two-month break in play due to the FIFA World Cup from May 25 to July 16, with MLS resuming shortly before the World Cup final.
Fans can look forward to rivalry games and special events, including the MLS All-Star Game scheduled for July 29 in Charlotte.
