Colorado Rapids vs. Inter Miami draws historic attendance to Mile High

A historic game called for a historic crowd.

The Colorado Rapids welcomed 75,824 fans for Saturday's Matchday 8 visit from Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF, marking the second-highest single-game attendance in MLS history.

Colorado's 30th Anniversary Match was moved from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park to Empower Field at Mile High, home of the NFL's Denver Broncos, and supporters came out in unprecedented numbers to witness Miami's 3-2 win.

Only the 82,110 fans in attendance for the July 4, 2023 El Tráfico between LA Galaxy and LAFC at the Rose Bowl have beaten that figure.

History made in Colorado. 👏 pic.twitter.com/IclWdmf4ab
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 18, 2026

Historic numbers

Saturday’s showing bettered the Rapids' previous record of 61,202 fans who watched Colorado face Chicago Fire FC on July 4, 2002.

It also continued a trend of historic crowds this year. Three of MLS's top-10 all-time attendances have come in 2026:

Saturday's record-breaker at Empower Field at Mile High
LAFC vs. Miami on MLS in Back weekend - 75,673 fans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
D.C. United vs. Inter Miami on Matchday 3 - 72,026 fans at M&T Bank Stadium

All three took place at special venues as momentum builds in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

This summer's tournament will unfold at 16 stadiums, including five that are home to Major League Soccer clubs.

Messi factor

Big crowds have followed Inter Miami since Messi joined the club in July 2023.

The back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP has helped set record crowds in Chicago, Columbus, New England and Kansas City, among others, in recent years.

It's been more of the same in 2026, with Messi helping to fuel historic turnouts for LAFC, D.C. United and, most recently, Colorado.

The GOAT was up to the task on Saturday, notching a brace that included a vintage left-footed golazo in the 79th minute to earn the win.