West Bengal Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari has announced that the state government is initiating the process to refund ticket money to around 33,000 fans who attended Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated appearance at Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata in December 2025.
The event, held on December 13, 2025, was marred by overcrowding, poor crowd management and logistical issues, leaving several spectators unable to properly watch Messi despite paying for tickets. Fans had reportedly paid between ₹4,000 and ₹8,000 for entry and later demanded refunds.
Speaking at a National Sports Day programme, Adhikari said the refund process had already been initiated internally and that the money would be arranged through the state’s sports budget. He said the move was aimed at compensating the thousands of supporters who were left disappointed by the event.
The Kolkata event had descended into chaos as spectators protested over restricted views and crowding around the football star. The incident also triggered criticism over the management of the event and the involvement of officials and political figures. Messi’s team later raised concerns about protocol and security breaches surrounding the appearance.
The refund announcement comes as part of a wider focus on sports administration and infrastructure in West Bengal. Adhikari also announced plans involving a ₹400-crore allocation for sports infrastructure and the construction of mini indoor stadiums across the state.
The move could offer financial relief to thousands of fans, while bringing renewed attention to crowd management, event governance and accountability at large-scale sporting events.
