Settlement Reached in Copa América Class Action Lawsuit

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

Due to disturbances in the crowd before the match commenced, numerous ticket-holding fans were unable to enter the stadium, while others chose to leave early due to safety concerns. It is anticipated that these individuals will represent a significant portion of those filing claims.

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 contribute over $14 million to a fund accessible to fans affected by the crowd issues during the final. The actual distribution of funds will depend on the total number of claims submitted.

Attorney Jeff Newsome from the law 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 involved in the Copa América Class Action lawsuit.” Newsome further expressed optimism about presenting the settlement to the Court.

Neither a spokesperson from Concacaf nor Hard Rock Stadium provided comments to ESPN, and efforts to reach Best Security were unsuccessful. CONMEBOL also did not respond to requests for comment.

The final match between Argentina and Colombia experienced an 82-minute delay as ticketless fans breached security barriers to gain entry. In response, stadium personnel implemented a lockdown to regain control. However, as dangerous situations arose—where some fans risked being crushed against the gates—the venue was reopened, permitting entry for some fans, regardless of ticket status. This led to a capacity crowd, resulting in the closure of stadium gates once more, thereby preventing entry for certain ticket holders.

According to Miami-Dade Police, there were 27 arrests and 55 ejections, while Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported responding to 120 incidents at the stadium, with the majority being medical in nature.

Details of the settlement reveal two categories for claims, as outlined by ESPN. The first category is designated for fans who were “denied entry” due to the crowd disruption, allowing them to claim a maximum refund of $2,000 per person. Although some fans purchased tickets for more than this amount on the secondary market, the settlement aims to reimburse the majority of fans for their ticket costs. Additionally, if a fan paid less than $2,000, they can claim reimbursement for up to $300 in travel-related expenses, provided the total does not exceed the $2,000 limit.

The second category applies to fans who were “denied full access and enjoyment of Hard Rock Stadium facilities or specific seats purchased.” This encompasses the inability to purchase concessions or merchandise, which were unavailable due to overcrowding, with claims capped at $100 per person.

Affected fans will be required to file claims, submitting documentation that includes a time-stamped photo or proof of identification, proof of ticket purchase, and a declaration confirming they were either denied entry or full access to the stadium. Additionally, they must affirm that they have not received any refunds for the claimed out-of-pocket expenses.

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

ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano contributed to this report.