Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS settle suit in missed Lionel Messi game - ESPN
The Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS have settled a class-action lawsuit over misleading ticket promotions for a game where Lionel Messi did not play.Summary
The British Columbia Supreme Court has approved a $450,000 Canadian settlement between Major League Soccer and the Vancouver Whitecaps regarding a class-action lawsuit. The suit claimed that both parties used “misleading promotional material” when selling tickets to the May 25, 2024 match against Inter Miami, capitalizing on the expectation that stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba would participate. Prior to the game, it was announced that Messi, Suarez, and Busquets would not be traveling to Canada due to calendar congestion. While the defendants deny liability, they entered negotiations in May 2025 to avoid further litigation. The settlement funds will be distributed equally to KidSport BC, Canada SCORES, and BGC South Coast BC. As part of the agreement, the Whitecaps will revise their ticketing terms to explicitly state that team rosters and player lineups are subject to change, and that the club makes no guarantees regarding the participation of specific players, including in promotional materials.
(Source：ESPN)