The world\u2019s greatest soccer player will visit Commerce City in 2026.<\/p>\n
As part of the Major League Soccer schedule release on Thursday, which came almost a month earlier than in previous years, the Colorado Rapids are set to host soccer legend Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on April 18. The match will coincide with the club\u2019s celebration of 30 years since its first match, which was held on April 13, 1996.<\/p>\n
When hosting Miami for the first time, several teams around MLS have used NFL stadiums to accommodate the attraction to the Argentinian star. It\u2019s unclear whether the Rapids will do the same and use Empower Field, but it would make sense given the capacity and that the franchise\u2019s inaugural match was also played there.<\/p>\n
Colorado has been receptive to big international stars before. South Korean icon Son Heung-Min visited Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods Park on decision day last month, drawing a bevy of fans. DSGP sold out that night \u2014 a rarity for the Rapids \u2014 and droves of fans filed out after Son subbed out in the 77th minute.<\/p>\n
The Rapids have played against Messi\u2019s Miami before, using a late Cole Bassett equalizer for a 2-all draw in April 2024 at Chase Stadium. That match was the coming-out party of center back Mo\u00efse Bombito, who left the club in August that year for an MLS-record fee.<\/p>\n
Colorado, currently without a coach after parting ways with Chris Armas last month, opens 2026 on Feb. 22 at the Seattle Sounders. Its first home match will be against the Portland Timbers on Feb. 28.<\/p>\n
With San Diego FC\u2019s arrival to the MLS this season, the schedule-building process changed and allowed for a more consistent structure. That won\u2019t change this year, with a home and away match against all 14 Western Conference opponents and six Eastern Conference matches to round out the 34-game regular season.<\/p>\n
The Rapids have a chance to win the Rocky Mountain Cup for a third straight year in their rivalry with Real Salt Lake. Colorado\u2019s 1-0 loss to RSL in October was enough for them to \u201cretain as holders\u201d of the Cup, which made it the second time the Rapids have ever earned it in consecutive campaigns. The teams will play in Salt Lake City on May 16 and return to Colorado on Aug. 29.<\/p>\n
The July 4 match, often the Rapids\u2019 biggest spectacle with the following fireworks show, will not be played this year due to the World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19. No MLS match will be played during that period. The Rapids will break from May 23 to July 22.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s likely last year\u2019s 2-1 loss to SKC will be the last July 4 match in history, at least in the regular season. Last week, MLS approved a calendar shift from the current February-December campaign to a July-May season, starting in 2027-28. The opening matches of the newly formatted season would likely be mid-July at the earliest. The move aligns the league with the rest of the world, which largely plays a similar schedule.<\/p>\n
Colorado Rapids\u2019 2026 schedule<\/p>\n
Date
\nOpponent
\nTime<\/p>\n
Feb. 22
\nat Seattle Sounders
\n7 p.m.<\/p>\n
Feb. 28
\nPortland Timbers
\n2:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
March 07
\nLA Galaxy
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
March 14
\nat New York City FC
\n5:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
March 21
\nat Sporting Kansas City
\n6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
April 04
\nat Toronto FC
\nTBD<\/p>\n
April 11
\nHouston Dynamo
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
April 18
\nInter Miami FC
\n2:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
April 22
\nat Los Angeles FC
\n8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
April 25
\nat Vancouver Whitecaps FC
\n8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
May 2
\nat Houston Dynamo
\n6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
May 9
\nSt. Louis City
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
May 13
\nat Minnesota United
\n6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
May 16
\nat Real Salt Lake
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
May 23
\nFC Dallas
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
July 22
\nSan Diego FC
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
July 25
\nat St. Louis CITY SC
\n6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Aug. 1
\nAustin FC
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Aug. 15
\nSporting Kansas City
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Aug. 19
\nLos Angeles FC
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Aug. 22
\nat San Diego FC
\n8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Aug. 29
\nReal Salt Lake
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Sept. 5
\nat Columbus Crew SC
\n5:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Sept. 9
\nat Austin FC
\n6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Sept. 12
\nCF Montreal
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Sept. 19
\nSeattle Sounders
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Sept. 26
\nat LA Galaxy
\n8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Oct. 10
\nSan Jose Earthquakes
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Oct. 14
\nMinnesota United
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Oct. 17
\nat Portland Timbers
\n8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Oct. 24
\nVancouver Whitecaps FC
\n7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Oct. 28
\nat San Jose Earthquakes
\n8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Oct. 31
\nChicago Fire FC
\nTBD<\/p>\n
Nov. 7
\nat FC Dallas
\n5 p.m.<\/p>\n