33,000 fans to get refunds for chaotic Messi Kolkata event, says Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said around 33,000 football fans will be refunded the money they spent on tickets for Lionel Messi’s chaotic appearance at Kolkata’s Yuva Bharati Stadium last year. Adhikari said the process to reimburse spectators had already been initiated internally and indicated that the money would be provided from the state’s sports budget. The announcement, made at a National Sports Day programme at Nabanna on Saturday, comes more than eight months after Messi’s December 13, 2025 appearance at the stadium descended into disorder and left thousands of spectators demanding their money back.

Fans paid thousands for tickets

Adhikari said Messi’s enormous popularity had prompted thousands of supporters to spend heavily for an opportunity to see the Argentine superstar. Many of the affected spectators had purchased tickets priced at Rs 4,000 and Rs 6,000. Some reports have also referred to an Rs 8,000 ticket category. “It is my wish to ensure that the money paid by these 33,000 sports enthusiasts is refunded,” Adhikari said, adding that the internal process had already begun. The Chief Minister, however, did not announce a deadline for completing the refunds or spell out how eligible ticket-holders would be identified and reimbursed.

Messi appearance descended into chaos

Messi’s visit to Yuva Bharati Stadium was one of the most anticipated sporting events in Kolkata in recent years, but the programme was marred by crowd anger and allegations of serious mismanagement. A large number of officials, VIPs and other guests gathered around Messi on the field, obstructing the view of spectators who had bought tickets to see the football star. His relatively brief appearance further angered sections of the crowd. The situation deteriorated as frustrated spectators protested inside the stadium, with incidents of vandalism also reported. The main organiser of the event was subsequently detained, while police launched an investigation. At the time, authorities said organisers had provided written assurances that disappointed spectators would receive refunds.

Adhikari targets previous government

Adhikari used the National Sports Day programme to criticise the previous Trinamool Congress government over its management of sports and sporting infrastructure.

He claimed paperwork concerning appointments for some sportspersons had remained pending in the Chief Minister’s Office for years and questioned Bengal’s declining representation at major national and international competitions. The Chief Minister contrasted the situation with states such as Odisha and Jharkhand, arguing that West Bengal possessed sporting talent but lacked the systems and initiatives required to nurture it. He also questioned political control over sporting organisations and called for structural changes in the way the sector is administered.

Rs 400 crore earmarked for sports

Adhikari said his government had allocated Rs 400 crore for sports for an eight-month period and outlined plans to improve infrastructure across the state. The government intends to establish mini indoor stadiums across all 294 Assembly constituencies, with facilities including badminton and tennis courts and gymnasiums.

Since completing all 294 facilities in a single year would not be feasible, Adhikari said the government plans to build 100 in the first phase. For the thousands of Messi supporters who have waited since December, however, the immediate focus will be on the promised reimbursement and when the government puts in place a mechanism to return their ticket money.