Having just witnessed their team's championship season, Crew fans are highly anticipating what is in store for 2024, which includes a visit from superstar Lionel Messi.

The Crew's 2024 regular-season schedule has been released and is highlighted by the match against Messi's Inter Miami CF squad at home on Oct. 2. Messi is also likely to make a trip to Columbus when the MLS All-Star Game is played at Lower.com Field on July 24.

In addition to the Crew's regular season play, the club will be participating in CONCACAF Champions Cup play. Having received a first-round bye, they will face the winner of the Houston Dynamo FC vs. St. Louis City FC series at home on March 12.

2024 regular season highlights

Set to open their season in Columbus at Lower.com Field on Feb. 24, the Crew will first face Atlanta United, whom they defeated in the first round of their 2023 postseason run.

On April 27, Crew coach Wilfried Nancy will be visited by his former team, CF Montreal. Following that match, the first Hell is Real derby of the season takes place when Columbus welcomes in CF Cincinnati on May 11. Cincinnati will take its turn serving as host for the rivalry match on Sept. 14.

After the May Cincinnati match, the team will take a three-game road trip. When they return on May 29, they will face former Crew coach Caleb Porter and the New England Revolution for the first time since he was hired.

A rematch of the 2023 MLS Cup Final happens when Los Angeles FC hosts the Crew on July 13.

Following the All-Star game in Columbus, the 2024 edition of the Leagues Cup will run from July 26 through Aug. 25. The Crew will return to regular season action on Aug. 24 in Philadelphia against the Union.

Kicking off October with their aforementioned match against Inter Miami CF at home, the Crew will close out the regular season on the road, as they will take on the New York Red Bulls on MLS Decision Day, Oct. 19.

2024 COLUMBUS CREW MLS REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE

• Saturday, Feb. 24 Atlanta United 2:00 PM

• Saturday, March 2 Minnesota United 2:00 PM

• Saturday, March 9 Chicago Fire FC 7:30 PM

• Saturday, March 16 New York Red Bulls 7:30 PM

• Saturday, March 23 Charlotte FC 7:30 PM

• Saturday, March 30 Nashville SC 8:30 PM

• Saturday, April 6 D.C. United 7:30 PM

• Saturday, April 13 Real Salt Lake 9:30 PM

• Saturday, April 20 Portland Timbers 7:30 PM

• Saturday, April 27 CF Montreal 7:30 PM

• Saturday, May 11 FC Cincinnati 7:30 PM

• Wednesday, May 15 CF Montreal 7:30 PM

• Saturday, May 18 Chicago Fire FC 8:30 PM

• Saturday, May 25 Orlando City SC 7:30 PM

• Wednesday, May 29 NE Revolution 7:30 PM

• Saturday, June 1 Seattle Sounders 7:30 PM

• Friday, June 14 New York City FC 7:30 PM

• Wednesday, June 19 Inter Miami CF 7:30 PM

• Saturday, June 22 Sporting Kansas City 7:30 PM

• Saturday, June 29 NE Revolution 7:30 PM

• Wednesday, July 3 Nashville SC 7:30 PM

• Saturday, July 6 Toronto FC 7:30 PM

• Saturday, July 13 LAFC 10:30 PM

• Wednesday, July 17 Charlotte FC 7:30 PM

• Saturday, July 20 Atlanta United 7:30 PM

• Saturday, Aug. 24 Philadelphia Union 7:30 PM

• Saturday, Aug. 31 New York City FC 7:30 PM

• Saturday, Sept. 14 FC Cincinnati 7:30 PM

• Wednesday, Sept. 18 Toronto FC 7:30 PM

• Saturday, Sept. 21 Orlando City SC 7:30 PM

• Saturday, Sept. 28 D.C. United 7:30 PM

• Wednesday, Oct. 2 Inter Miami CF 7:30 PM

• Saturday, Oct. 5 Philadelphia Union 7:30 PM

• Saturday, Oct. 19 New York Red Bulls 6:00 PM

bmackay@dispatch.com

@brimackay15

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew 2024 MLS Schedule: Home match vs. Messi and more