Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Bengal CM Promises Refunds for 33,000 Messi Event Fans
Many people bought tickets to see Lionel Messi in Kolkata.
The event on December 13, 2025, became chaotic and many fans said it was badly managed.
Some spectators protested and asked for their money back.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the government is working on refunds for about 33,000 fans.
The articles do not say exactly how fans will prove their claims or when they will be paid.
The chief minister mentioned tickets costing ₹4,000 and ₹6,000, while another report also mentioned ₹8,000 tickets.
Adhikari blamed the previous government for not improving sports facilities enough.
He also said politicians should have less control over sports organisations.
His government plans to spend ₹400 crore on sports and build 100 indoor stadiums this year.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said refunds are being pursued for about 33,000 fans affected by the chaotic Messi event.
The event at Kolkata’s Yuva Bharati Stadium on December 13, 2025, was followed by protests, vandalism reports and refund demands.
Adhikari specifically cited ₹4,000 and ₹6,000 tickets, while another report also mentioned ₹8,000 tickets.
The chief minister blamed the previous Trinamool Congress government for neglecting sports infrastructure and allowing political influence in sports organisations.
West Bengal has allocated ₹400 crore for sports and plans to build 100 mini indoor stadiums this year as part of a 294-facility plan.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, about 33,000 fans, and Lionel Messi are central to the report; the previous Trinamool Congress government was also criticised.
- What
- The West Bengal government has begun an internal process to refund fans affected by the chaotic Messi event and announced broader sports-development plans.
- When
- Messi appeared on December 13, 2025; the refund announcement was made on National Sports Day, August 29.
- Where
- The event took place at Yuva Bharati Stadium, also known as Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata; the announcement was made at Nabanna.
- Why
- Fans sought refunds after alleged mismanagement left many disappointed, while Adhikari said sports infrastructure and institutional support in West Bengal needed improvement.
Suvendu Adhikari and Current Government
Previous Trinamool Congress Government
Responsibility for event problems
Suvendu Adhikari and Current Government
Adhikari’s government says it is pursuing refunds after fans were allegedly cheated by the event’s chaotic arrangements and mismanagement.
Previous Trinamool Congress Government
Reports link criticism of the arrangements to the previous Trinamool Congress government and then Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, but provide no response from that government.
Sports infrastructure and athlete support
Suvendu Adhikari and Current Government
Adhikari says the previous administration neglected facilities and left athlete paperwork pending, while his government has announced financial support, appointments and new stadiums.
Previous Trinamool Congress Government
The previous government’s alleged neglect is presented through Adhikari’s claims; the articles do not include its alternative account.
Political influence in sports
Suvendu Adhikari and Current Government
Adhikari says politicians should not control sports organisations and has promised systemic reforms to reduce political influence.
Previous Trinamool Congress Government
Adhikari accused the previous regime of politicising sports, but no response from the Trinamool Congress government is reported.
- Fans targeted for refunds
- About 33,000
- Event date
- December 13, 2025
- Event venue
- Yuva Bharati Stadium, also known as Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
- Ticket prices cited by Adhikari
- ₹4,000 and ₹6,000
- Other reported ticket price
- ₹8,000 was mentioned in one report
- Sports allocation
- ₹400 crore, described as an eight-month budget
- Indoor stadium plan
- 100 facilities this year, within a long-term plan covering all 294 Assembly constituencies
- Planned facilities
- Tennis courts, badminton courts and gymnasiums
Sources
Bengal to refund ticket money to 33,000 fans after chaotic Messi event, says CM Suvendu Adhikari
Messi Kolkata fiasco: Suvendu Adhikari says process on to refund 33,000 ‘cheated’ fans - Telegraph India
Big Relief For Messi Fans As Bengal CM Promises To Refund Ticket Money Of 33,000 Spectators After Kolkata Event Fiasco
