Settlement Reached in Copa América Lawsuit Following Fan Disturbances

A settlement was finalized on Monday regarding the 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 crowd disturbances prior to the match’s commencement, many ticket-holding fans were unable to enter the venue, while others chose to leave early for their safety. These individuals are anticipated to represent a significant portion of the claimants.

The lawsuit named CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC—operator of Hard Rock Stadium—as defendants. In accordance with the settlement’s terms, these defendants have agreed to collectively contribute over $14 million to a fund accessible to fans adversely affected by the crowd unrest during the final. The actual payout will depend on the number of claims filed.

Attorney Jeff Newsome of Varnell & Warwick PA, representing the plaintiffs and class counsel, remarked, “This case was about advocating for the fans. Today, the Named Plaintiffs and the entire Class Counsel team are proud to deliver meaningful relief to the members of the Copa América Class Action lawsuit.” He further noted, “We look forward to presenting the settlement to the Court.”

Responses from Concacaf were not available, and Hard Rock Stadium declined to comment to ESPN. Additionally, CONMEBOL did not respond to inquiries, and attempts to reach Best Security were unsuccessful.

The final match was delayed by 82 minutes as fans without tickets breached security measures to gain entry. Stadium staff attempted to regain order by locking down the venue, but dangerous conditions arose, prompting the reopening of gates to allow entry for some fans, regardless of ticket possession. Once the stadium reached capacity, access was restricted again, leaving several ticketed fans unable to enter.

According to Miami-Dade Police, 27 arrests and 55 ejections occurred, and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported responding to 120 incidents, 116 of which were medical emergencies.

The settlement outlines two categories for the plaintiffs, as per documents reviewed by ESPN. The first category pertains to fans who were “denied entry” due to the crowd issues, eligible for a maximum refund of $2,000 per person. Although some individuals paid more than this on the secondary market, the settlement aims to reimburse the majority based on the ticket costs. If a claimant’s ticket was less than $2,000, they may also seek reimbursement for up to $300 in travel expenses, provided the total claim does not exceed $2,000.

The second category addresses fans who were “denied full access and enjoyment of Hard Rock Stadium facilities or specific seats purchased,” which includes restrictions on purchasing concessions or merchandise due to overcrowding. Compensation for this group is capped at $100 per person.

Affected fans are required to file claims, which necessitate submitting a time-stamped photo or proof of identification, as well as evidence of ticket purchase and an affirmation of either being denied entry or full access. They must also confirm that they have not received any refunds for the claimed expenses.

Instructions for participating in the settlement can be found at FinalMatchSettlement.com.

ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano contributed to this report.