Copa América Final Lawsuit Settled for $14 Million
On Monday, a settlement was finalized in a class action lawsuit filed by fans following the tumultuous 2024 Copa América final, where Argentina faced Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Due to security issues before the match, many ticket holders were unable to enter, and some chose to leave early for safety reasons. Those affected are expected to make up the majority of the claims.
The defendants in this lawsuit included CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and the operator of Hard Rock Stadium, South Florida Stadium LLC. As part of the settlement, these organizations will contribute over $14 million to a fund accessible to fans impacted by the incidents during the match, with the final distribution dependent on the number of claims submitted.
Attorney Jeff Newsome, representing the plaintiffs and class counsel from Varnell & Warwick PA, stated, “This case was about standing up for the fans. Today, the Named Plaintiffs and the entire Class Counsel team are proud to deliver real relief to the class members of the Copa América Class Action lawsuit.” Newsome also expressed eagerness to present the settlement to the Court.
No comment was provided by a Concacaf representative, and Hard Rock Stadium did not respond to requests for comment. Attempts to reach Best Security were also unsuccessful.
The match was delayed by 82 minutes as ticketless fans breached security barriers. In an effort to maintain order, stadium personnel locked down the venue but later reopened it when conditions became dangerous, allowing some fans entry regardless of ticket status. When capacity was reached, gate access was again restricted, leaving some ticketed fans locked out.
Authorities reported 27 arrests and 55 ejections at the event, while Miami-Dade Fire Rescue handled 120 incidents, with a significant number being medical emergencies.
Under the settlement terms, which have been reviewed by ESPN, claimants fall into two categories. The first includes fans who were “denied entry” due to the crowd issues, eligible for a refund of up to $2,000 per person. Although some ticket prices exceeded this amount, the settlement aims to reimburse most fans for their purchases. Those who paid less than $2,000 may also claim up to $300 in travel costs, as long as the total does not surpass $2,000.
The second category covers fans who were “denied full access” to stadium facilities or specific seats, including access to concessions, capped at $100 per person due to the overcrowding.
Impacted fans must submit claims along with documentation such as time-stamped photos, proof of ticket purchase, and verification that they were denied entry or full access. They must also confirm they have not received any refunds for claimed expenses.
Instructions for participating in the settlement can be found at FinalMatchSettlement.com.
Contributions to this report were made by ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano.
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