The day of world-famous footballer Lionel Messi's arrival at Kolkata’s Yuva Bharati Stadium did not go as planned. What was expected to be a grand football celebration ended in confusion and disappointment for many fans. The emotions from that incident have still not settled.
Now, its effect is being seen elsewhere. Audience numbers in the Indian Super League are feeling the impact as the ripple from the Messi event has quietly reached the ISL stands.
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On December 13 last year, the city was gripped by excitement over Messi’s presence. Thousands of supporters spent significant amounts on tickets to catch a glimpse of the football icon. However, many were left disappointed. Severe lapses in crowd management and security led to chaos inside the stadium. With excessive crowd gathering around Messi, spectators in the galleries struggled to get a glimpse of their favourite footballer. To manage the situation, Messi eventually left the field. Angry supporters later vandalised chairs and other infrastructure in the stadium, scenes that were widely circulated.
Reduced seating capacity hits ISL attendance
The consequences of that incident are now visible. Earlier, the stadium could comfortably accommodate 64,000 to 65,000 spectators. This time, however, it has been learned learnt that more than 50,000 supporters cannot be accommodated. Several sections of the gallery still have broken or uprooted chairs, and many areas remain unrepaired. As a result, ticket sales for those sections have been suspended, leading to a drop in audience capacity.
ISL season begins amid repairs
The new ISL season begins on February 14, with Mohun Bagan SG taking on Kerala Blasters in the opening match. Excitement surrounding the fixture is high. According to club sources, ticket sales have been strong, and an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 spectators may attend. However, officials believe that without the aftermath of the Messi event, the turnout could have been higher.
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There is some positive news. Repair work on the damaged chairs is expected to be completed before the Kolkata Derby on May 3. If so, the East Bengal versus Mohun Bagan match could once again witness a packed gallery. For now, attention remains on how quickly Yuva Bharati Stadium can complete the repairs and restore its full capacity.
