Inter Miami Becomes MLS' Most Valuable Club at $1.45 Billion

Messi-led team surpasses LAFC as league's franchise values continue to climb

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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According to Sportico's latest MLS valuations, Inter Miami has become the league's most valuable club at $1.45 billion, surpassing LAFC at $1.4 billion. The Messi-driven financial boom has led to a projected 75% increase in Inter Miami's revenue, estimated to reach $250 million by 2026. The top five most valuable MLS clubs are rounded out by LA Galaxy, Atlanta United, and NYCFC.

Why it matters

The rapid rise in Inter Miami's valuation highlights the growing financial power of MLS clubs, driven by the arrival of global superstars like Lionel Messi. However, concerns remain about the widening gap between the league's most valuable franchises and the rest of the clubs, which could impact the overall quality of play.

The details

Inter Miami's valuation has skyrocketed from a pre-Messi figure of $585 million to the current $1.45 billion, a staggering 75% increase in revenue projections. The league as a whole has seen its total franchise value climb to $23 billion across 30 teams, with the average franchise value reaching $767 million, a 39% increase from 2021.

  • Sportico's latest MLS valuations were released on February 11, 2026.
  • The 2026 MLS season is set to kick off on February 21.

The players

Inter Miami

An MLS club based in Miami, Florida, that has become the league's most valuable franchise at $1.45 billion.

LAFC

An MLS club based in Los Angeles, California, that was previously the league's most valuable franchise at $1.4 billion.

Lionel Messi

A world-renowned soccer player who joined Inter Miami, driving the club's financial boom and valuation increase.

Axel Schuster

The CEO of the Vancouver Whitecaps, who expressed concerns about the growing disparity between the league's most valuable and least valuable franchises.

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What they’re saying

“We had like more than 30, almost 40 groups who signed an NDA and went into our data room and did a full analysis on our situation. Not one single one is interested in buying even 1% of this club, because all of them think that our setup here, the market and the situation we are in is not something where you can invest.”

— Axel Schuster, CEO, Vancouver Whitecaps (Sportico)

What’s next

MLS is less than two weeks away from kicking off its 2026 season on February 21.

The takeaway

The arrival of global superstars like Lionel Messi has driven a financial boom for MLS, with Inter Miami becoming the league's most valuable club at $1.45 billion. However, the growing disparity between the league's most valuable and least valuable franchises raises concerns about the potential impact on the overall quality of play.