When Lionel Messi didn’t take the field for Inter Miami CF’s highly anticipated May 25, 2024 match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, frustration inside BC Place quickly spilled beyond the stadium. Chants of “Where is Messi?” echoed through the crowd of more than 51,000 fans — and soon after, into the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

More than a year later, the Whitecaps and a group of disgruntled supporters have reached a proposed settlement in a class-action lawsuit that accused the club and Major League Soccer of misleading fans through promotional materials. The lawsuit argued that Messi’s image — along with fellow Miami stars Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets — was heavily used to promote the match, despite none of them appearing in the game.

Under the tentative agreement, the defendants will make a $475,000 charitable donation and update ticketing language to clearly state that player appearances are not guaranteed. The Whitecaps will also push for Ticketmaster to add a pop-up warning to inform buyers that star players may not participate.

However, the settlement includes no financial compensation for fans, even though ticket prices reportedly soared to over $600 for a match that typically costs around $30. More than 3,000 supporters had signed a petition calling for refunds, arguing they were lured by promotions featuring Messi and other global stars.

The defendants continue to deny any wrongdoing, maintaining they have strong legal defenses and that the claims lack merit. Fans who purchased tickets — whether they attended or not — have until January 28, 2026 to object to the settlement or opt out to pursue individual legal action.

The agreement still requires court approval, expected to be reviewed at a hearing in February. If approved, a portion of the donation — potentially up to 33% — may go toward legal fees. The proposed charitable recipients include KidSport BC, Canada SCORES, and BGC South Coast BC.

For many fans, the case underscores a growing tension in modern sports: when superstar marketing drives premium pricing, but the stars themselves never show up.