Lionel Messi's visit to Delhi as part of the GOAT India Tour 2025 culminates today, December 15, with a series of highly anticipated events at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. This marks the final leg of his tour, following stops in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
Event Overview
The day promises a packed schedule, commencing with events at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Gates are scheduled to open at 11:30 AM, with all attendees expected to be seated by 2:30 PM. The program is set to begin at 2:30 PM with welcome music, followed by a celebrity football match at 2:50 PM. Messi is expected to participate in the celebrity match around 3:30 PM and also conduct a football clinic for 30 children at 3:45 PM. A stage ceremony is scheduled for 4:20 PM, featuring the GOAT Cup exhibition match.
Key Highlights at the Arun Jaitley Stadium
- Felicitation Ceremony: Messi will felicitate the Minerva Academy teams, who have won three youth-level trophies.
- Celebrity Football Match: A nine-a-side celebrity football match is planned as part of the program. Messi is expected to participate in the celebrity match.
- Football Clinic: Messi will conduct a football clinic for 30 children.
Meeting with Dignitaries
Later in the day, around 4:30 PM, Messi is expected to attend a private meet-and-greet. The tentative agenda includes a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by interactions with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief Justice of India.
Traffic Advisory and Transportation
Given the high-profile nature of the visit and the expected large crowds, the Delhi Traffic Police has implemented traffic restrictions throughout Central Delhi from 12:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Parking around the Arun Jaitley Stadium is prohibited, with towing and penalties enforced. Authorities are advising attendees to use public transportation, such as the Metro and buses, to avoid traffic congestion. Diversions are in place on Bahadurshah Zafar Marg and JLN Marg. No heavy vehicles are allowed from Daryaganj to Bahadurshah Zafar Marg and from Guru Nanak Chowk to Asaf Ali Road.
Tickets and Entry
Tickets for the event were available for purchase through online booking on the District ticketing platform. Children aged two years and above must carry a valid ticket for entry. Fans are required to keep their digital tickets readily available on their phones, accessed via the 'Profile' section of the District app using the mobile number registered at booking. QR codes will unlock shortly before the event. A valid government-issued photo ID is mandatory at entry.
Important Prohibited Items
No bags are allowed inside the stadium. Any form of foul, abusive, discriminatory, or threatening behavior will not be permitted, and entry may be denied if a ticket's QR code appears tampered with. Re-entry will not be allowed once spectators exit the venue.
Background on Arun Jaitley Stadium
The Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, is located on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi. Established in 1883, it is the second-oldest functional international cricket stadium in India, after Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The stadium has a capacity of 55,000.
How to Watch
Selective events from the Lionel Messi GOAT India Tour 2025 will be live-streamed on the Prasar Bharati YouTube channel and the Waves OTT app. Live television coverage will also be available on DD Sports.
