States » EastPosted at: Oct 4 2026 10:33PM


Messi event victims to get free tickets for India-Uruguay match from several counters

Kolkata, Oct 4 (UNI) Football fans who had purchased tickets for Lionel Messi's much-hyped Kolkata event last year but were unable to watch the Argentine star will now be given complimentary tickets for the India-Uruguay match at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan on October 6.
Following West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's announcement after Saturday's India-Brazil match, state Sports Minister Indranil Khan on Sunday said the affected spectators could collect their physical passes by producing any one valid government-issued photo identity document — Voter Card, Aadhaar Card, Driving Licence or Passport — along with the paid ticket of the previous event.
The passes will be available on October 5 between 11 am and 5 pm at designated centres across the city. The collection points are Mohit Maitra Mancha, Milan Manjari Community Hall, Udjapan Community Hall, Subhanandan Community Hall, Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Bidhannagar Municipality Sports Complex and Rajarhat-Gopalpur Swimming Pool.
"As committed by Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari dada, as a goodwill gesture, complimentary passes will be provided for the upcoming India vs Uruguay match scheduled to be held on 6th October 2026 at Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan to all football lovers who had purchased tickets for Lionel Messi G.O.A.T tour of Kolkata on 13th December last year," Khan said.
Messi's visit to Kolkata last December had drawn thousands of football enthusiasts, but the event was marred by allegations of mismanagement, overcrowding and preferential treatment to VIPs. A large number of spectators claimed they could not get a proper glimpse of the football icon despite having purchased tickets.
A year later, the state government has sought to turn the controversy into a lesson in match management. After the India-Brazil encounter at Salt Lake on Saturday, the Chief Minister said the government had followed FIFA norms and ensured that ministers and police officers did not rush onto the field for selfies or photographs.
Adhikari said around 51,000 tickets had been released for the match, while nearly 20,000 seats remained vacant. He thanked AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, the Sports Minister, senior police officers and the Chief Secretary for the arrangements.
The Chief Minister also indicated that West Bengal was considering supporting the Indian football team in the future, along the lines of Odisha's support for Indian hockey. The proposal, which could involve sponsorship or other forms of assistance, will be placed before the state Cabinet.
Meanwhile, the Brazil team presented Adhikari with a jersey bearing his name and the number seven, signed by all the players. The Chief Minister handed it over to the state government, and it is expected to be preserved in the government museum.
The Chief Minister was accompanied at the match by Sports Minister Indranil Khan, MLA Kalyan Chakraborty, Health Minister Sharadwata Mukhopadhyay and AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey.
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Tags: #Messi event victims to get free tickets for India-Uruguay match from several counters
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