Settlement Reached in Copa América Class Action Lawsuit

A settlement was finalized on Monday in the class action lawsuit initiated by fans following the tumultuous 2024 Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia, held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Due to crowd disturbances prior to the match, many ticket holders were unable to enter the venue, while others departed early due to safety concerns. These individuals are expected to constitute the majority of those filing claims.

Defendants in the lawsuit included CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC, the entity that owns and operates Hard Rock Stadium. The settlement stipulates that these defendants will collectively contribute over $14 million to a fund accessible to fans affected by the disturbances during the final, with the final payout contingent upon the number of claims submitted.

Attorney Jeff Newsome from the firm 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 proud to deliver real relief to the class members of the Copa America Class Action lawsuit.” He added, “We look forward to presenting the settlement to the Court.”

A spokesperson for Concacaf declined to comment, and Hard Rock Stadium did not provide a statement to ESPN. Attempts to reach representatives from CONMEBOL and Best Security for comments were unsuccessful.

The final match was delayed by 82 minutes when fans without tickets breached security barriers to gain entry. Stadium personnel responded by locking down the venue to restore order. However, as dangerous conditions arose with fans at risk of being crushed against the gates outside, the venue reopened, allowing some fans to enter regardless of ticket status. Once the stadium reached capacity, the gates were secured again, preventing entry for some ticket holders.

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

As per the settlement terms, which have been partially reviewed by ESPN, plaintiffs will be categorized into two groups. The first category encompasses fans who were “denied entry” to the stadium due to the crowd issues. These individuals are eligible for a maximum refund of $2,000 each. Although some fans paid more than this amount on the secondary market, the settlement aims to reimburse the majority of ticket holders. If a fan paid less than $2,000 for their ticket, they may also submit a claim for up to $300 in travel-related expenses, provided the total does not exceed the $2,000 cap.

The second category covers fans who were “denied full access and enjoyment of Hard Rock Stadium facilities or specific seats purchased,” including concessions and merchandise, which were unavailable due to overcrowding. Compensation in this category is capped at $100 per person.

Impacted fans must file claims with accompanying documentation, including a time-stamped photo or proof of identification, proof of ticket purchase, and an affirmation of either denial of entry or full access to the stadium. They must also confirm that they have not received any refunds for the expenses claimed.

Fans interested in participating in the settlement can find further instructions at FinalMatchSettlement.com.

ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano contributed to this report.