The British Columbia Supreme Court approved a $450,000 Canadian ($329,000 USD) settlement in the class-action lawsuit against Major League Soccer and the Vancouver Whitecaps. The lawsuit stemmed from the May 25, 2024 match against Inter Miami, where fans claimed they were misled by promotional materials suggesting Lionel Messi and other star players would participate.

Lead plaintiff Ho Chun alleged the league and club exploited fan expectations about Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba to sell tickets. Days before kickoff, Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster confirmed Messi and key Inter Miami players wouldn't travel to Canada due to rest and calendar congestion. With over 50,000 fans expected, the Whitecaps offered 50% discounts on stadium food and drinks to appease frustrated attendees.

Both MLS and the Whitecaps denied liability but agreed to settle to avoid further litigation. The settlement funds will be split equally among KidSport BC, Canada SCORES Vancouver General Fund, and BGC South Coast BC. The Whitecaps must also revise ticketing terms to explicitly state that player participation cannot be guaranteed and team rosters are subject to change.