Lionel Messi’s Argentina Farewell: Ticket Prices and How to Buy for Benin Match

Ticket Pricing and Categories for the Monumental Matches

The AFA confirmed that tickets for both upcoming friendlies at River Plate’s Estadio Monumental—against Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin on October 6—follow an identical pricing scale. Prices range from $90,000 for general admission to $480,000 for the premier hospitality seating sectors, with an added service fee applied to each purchase.

The complete tier breakdown set by organizers includes:

• General Popular: $90,000
• Platea Alta Sívori and Centenario: $180,000
• Platea Media Sívori and Centenario / Platea Alta San Martín and Belgrano: $320,000
• Platea Baja San Martín and Belgrano: $450,000
• Platea Media San Martín and Belgrano: $480,000

Children between the ages of 3 and 10 qualify for a reduced popular ticket priced at $29,000, while toddlers under 3 years old enter free of charge. For all platea (grandstand) seating, children aged 3 and older must pay the full ticket price. Fans requiring accessible seating for individuals with disabilities must process their entry directly through Deportick during the general sale window, as day-of-match venue access will not be granted without pre-managed tickets.

Online Purchase Guidelines and Physical Redemption

All sales are conducted strictly online via Deportick, requiring users to register or log into an active account prior to purchase. To mitigate ticket scalping and maximize public access, the organization capped purchases at a maximum of four general admission tickets per account.

Due to high anticipated traffic, ticketing administrators advised supporters to log in ahead of the launch time to secure a place in the virtual queue with payment details prepared. Following successful online confirmation, purchasers receive an email specifying the date, time, and designated location to collect their physical paper ticket—the mandatory document required for entry through the stadium turnstiles.

The Triple FIFA Window and Stadium Capacity Context

The fixture against Benin marks Messi’s 208th appearance for the Albiceleste. The record-setting captain has tallied 125 goals for his country, anchoring a historic trophy haul that includes the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2021 and 2025 Copa América titles, and the 2022 Finalissima.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that his discussions with the captain shaped the timing of the send-off. “I put everything on my part to try to convince him that it was now, that later on I didn’t know what could happen,” Scaloni said regarding the decision to stage the farewell during this international window.

The September–October FIFA international window features three total fixtures for Argentina. The opening match takes place on September 30 against Bolivia at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba.

Reporting by La Nación noted that capacity at the Estadio Monumental will operate under restrictions for the opening two fixtures of the triple-header due to a FIFA disciplinary sanction stemming from incidents following the 2026 World Cup final against Spain and a display during the semifinal against England. Consequently, Messi is slated to sit out the matches against Bolivia and Burkina Faso, reserving his final competitive home appearance exclusively for the October 6 tribute against Benin.

In addition to Messi, the evening will serve as an official farewell for veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi, alongside potential send-offs for midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso based on squad selection patterns. The AFA has planned an extensive pre-match tribute featuring members of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad. Broadcast coverage for all matches will air live across Telefe and TyC Sports, with streaming options available via MiTelefe, TyC Sports Play, Flow, DGO, and Telecentro Play.