Messi’s Inter Miami vs Austin FC at Nu Stadium Tonight—Kickoff Time, Live-Stream Details & Starting XI

Inter Miami CF welcome Austin FC on Saturday, 4 April 2026, for the inaugural match at the club’s state-of-the-art Nu Stadium, and the storyline couldn’t be bigger: Lionel Messi leads the reigning MLS Cup champions into their new home against an Austin side that has never lost to the Herons in two previous meetings. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT) with national streaming on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass; local radio coverage airs on iHeart Radio Alt 97.5 (English) and TUDN 104.3-HD2 (Spanish). Why this match matters • Stadium debut: Nu Stadium’s 25,000-seat venue is sold out, and Inter Miami expect a festival atmosphere as Messi plays his first competitive minutes in the new pink palace. • Form guide: Since an opening-day defeat, Miami are unbeaten in six (3-0-3) and sit third in the East, while Austin arrive 1-2-2 but fresh off a morale-boosting scoreless draw with LAFC, the Western leaders. • Star watch: Messi has erupted for 4 goals in his first 4 league outings of 2026 and boasts 82 goals and 53 assists in all Miami competitions since 2023. Telasco Segovia (1 goal, 3 assists) supplies the midfield spark, while Austin counters with Albanian striker Myrto Uzuni and set-piece threat Brendan Hines-Ike. Projected line-ups Inter Miami (4-3-3): Callender; Yedlin, Kryvtsov, Avilés, Allen; Busquets, Segovia, Gressel; Messi, Suárez, Silvetti. Austin FC (4-2-3-1): Stuver; Gallagher, Hines-Ike, Cascante, Kolmanič; Ring, Vélez; Rigoni, Driussi, Torres; Uzuni. Key tactical battle Austin coach Josh Wolff must decide whether to press high and risk space behind or stay compact and cede possession to a midfield featuring Busquets and Messi. Neutralizing Segovia’s advanced runs will be critical for captain Alex Ring. Prediction Opening-night emotion at Nu Stadium favors Miami, but Austin’s history in the series (5-1 win in 2022, 1-1 draw in 2023) shows they won't be overawed. Expect end-to-end action and goals: Inter Miami 3, Austin FC 1. How to watch live • Stream: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass) • Radio: Alt 97.5 FM (EN) | TUDN 104.3-HD2 (ES) • Tickets: Limited resale inventory starts around $470 as of matchday morning. Search-friendly takeaway Fans searching for “Austin FC vs Inter Miami live stream,” “Nu Stadium debut,” or “Messi first game Miami new stadium” will find everything they need here—kickoff time, broadcast details, predicted XI, and score forecast—making this the ultimate match-day guide.