Settlement Reached in Copa América Class Action Lawsuit

omidbasir- On Monday, a settlement was finalized in a class action lawsuit filed by fans following the tumultuous 2024 Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Due to significant crowd disturbances before the match, many ticket holders were unable to enter the venue, while others opted to leave early due to safety concerns. The individuals affected by these issues are expected to constitute the majority of those submitting claims.

The defendants in the lawsuit included CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC, the entity responsible for operating Hard Rock Stadium. Under the terms of the settlement, these defendants will collectively contribute over $14 million to a fund accessible to fans impacted by the crowd-related incidents during the final. The final payouts will vary based on the number of claims submitted.

Attorney Jeff Newsome of Varnell & Warwick PA, representing the plaintiffs and class counsel, stated, “This case was about standing up for the fans. Today, the Named Plaintiffs and the entire Class Counsel team are pleased to deliver meaningful relief to the members of the Copa América Class Action lawsuit.” He further expressed anticipation for presenting the settlement to the Court.

While a spokesperson from Concacaf declined to comment, Hard Rock Stadium and CONMEBOL did not respond to requests for statements, and attempts to reach Best Security for a comment were unsuccessful.

The final match faced a delay of 82 minutes as fans without tickets breached security barriers to enter the venue. Stadium personnel attempted to regain control by restricting entry, but when the situation turned dangerous, the gates were reopened, allowing some fans to enter without tickets. Once the stadium reached its capacity, gates were again closed, preventing ticketed fans from entering.

Miami-Dade Police reported 27 arrests and 55 ejections, while Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to 120 incidents at the stadium, 116 of which involved medical emergencies.

The settlement terms, partially reviewed by ESPN, categorize plaintiffs into two groups. The first group comprises fans who were “denied entry” to the stadium due to crowd issues, eligible for refunds of up to $2,000 per person. Although some ticket prices exceeded this amount on the secondary market, the settlement aims to cover most fans adequately. Additionally, these fans may submit claims for reimbursement of up to $300 in travel-related expenses, provided the total does not exceed $2,000.

The second group includes fans who were “denied full access and enjoyment of Hard Rock Stadium facilities or specific seats purchased.” This category applies to those who were unable to purchase concessions or merchandise due to overcrowding, with a compensation cap of $100 per individual.

Affected fans must file claims to benefit from the settlement, requiring a time-stamped photo or proof of identification, ticket purchase confirmation, and an assertion of either denied entry or restricted access. They must also confirm they have not received refunds for any claimed out-of-pocket expenses.

Instructions for fans seeking to participate in the settlement can be found at FinalMatchSettlement.com.

This report also included contributions from ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano.