Lionel Messi and other superstars who have performed at Jordan-Hare Stadium through the years

The recent pre-World Cup “friendly” between Argentina and Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium was more than just a 3-0 victory for Lionel Messi and his squad. It officially stands as the most-attended soccer match in Alabama history and arguably the largest non-football event to ever hit the turf in Auburn, drawing 88,000 fans to the stadium on Tuesday night.

While Lionel Messi undoubtedly created a historic atmosphere, he is simply the latest global name to grace the venue. Here is a look at the history of major performers and speakers at Jordan-Hare Stadium through the years.

Early Days: Vocal Pop and The Godfather of Soul

The stadium’s entertainment roots trace back to when it was known as Cliff Hare Stadium. A three-man vocal group, featuring Jim Pike, Bob Engemann, and Tony Butala, performed the venue's first-ever concert. Though reports on the quality of that early performance are thin, the subsequent headline act was far more explosive.

In 1965, the legendary Billy Graham brought his crusade to the stadium, speaking to an integrated crowd of approximately 15,000—a massive audience for that era. Later that same year, the “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown, and his Famous Flames performed for over 5,800 fans who paid just $1 each. According to the Auburn Plainsman, the show was so high-energy that fans swarmed the stage, leading officials to form a committee to ensure events never became quite that wild again, according to the War Eagle Reader.

The Modern Era and Charity Spectacles

Following the construction of Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum in 1969, most large acts moved indoors to avoid the elements. It took until 2001—weeks after the 9/11 attacks—for a major concert to return to the renamed Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Beach Boys headlined a benefit show for the school's College of Veterinary Medicine, drawing 4,500 fans and helping support the Southeast Raptor Rehabilitation Center.

In 2016, country superstars Kenny Chesney and Miranda Lambert headlined the “Music & Miracles Superfest,” which attracted over 50,000 fans to benefit the Chicken Salad Chick foundation. The festival returned the following year featuring Blake Shelton and Lynyrd Skynyrd, but the event was discontinued after its two-year run.

Looking Ahead

While presidents and political figures have historically preferred smaller venues on the Auburn campus—such as George H.W. Bush in 1979 or George W. Bush’s 2002 appearance at Plainsman Park, which you can read about here—the stadium remains a hub for major cultural moments.

The spectacle of the Argentina-Iceland match is just the beginning of a new chapter for large-scale events at Jordan-Hare. Country star Zach Bryan is already scheduled to bring his “With Heaven” tour to the stadium on October 8. Even with a busy future, it will be a difficult task for any upcoming event to top the sheer scale and excitement that defined the night Messi arrived on the Plains.