Settlement Reached in Copa América Class Action Lawsuit

A settlement has been reached in the class action lawsuit filed 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 kickoff, many ticketed fans were unable to enter the venue, while others exited prematurely out of safety concerns. These individuals are anticipated to constitute the majority of claimants.

Defendants in the lawsuit included CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC, the operator of Hard Rock Stadium. Under the settlement terms, these entities will collectively contribute over $14 million into a fund accessible to fans affected by the crowd issues during the final, with the final payout contingent upon the number of claims submitted.

Attorney Jeff Newsome from 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 América Class Action lawsuit.” He added, “We look forward to presenting the settlement to the Court.”

Responses from Concacaf and Hard Rock Stadium were not provided, and CONMEBOL did not respond to inquiries. Attempts to reach Best Security for comment were also unsuccessful.

The final was delayed by 82 minutes due to fans without tickets breaching security barriers to enter the stadium. In an effort to regain control, stadium personnel locked down the venue. However, as safety conditions worsened, the venue was reopened, permitting some fans to enter regardless of ticket status. Once capacity was reached, the gates were closed again, preventing entry for some ticketed fans.

Miami-Dade Police reported 27 arrests and 55 ejections, while Miami-Dade Fire Rescue indicated they addressed 120 incidents at the stadium, 116 of which were medical emergencies.

According to the settlement terms reviewed by ESPN, plaintiffs are categorized into two groups. The first group comprises fans who were “denied entry” due to the crowd disruptions, eligible for refunds of up to $2,000 per person. Although some fans paid more than this for secondary market tickets, the settlement aims to cover the majority of ticket costs. Additionally, fans who paid less than $2,000 may claim up to $300 for travel 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,” which encompasses the inability to purchase concessions or merchandise due to overcrowding. This reimbursement is capped at $100 per person.

Affected fans must file claims, providing a time-stamped photo or proof of identification, proof of ticket purchase, and confirmation of being denied entry or full access. They must also affirm that they have not received any refunds for the claimed expenses.

Details and instructions for filing claims can be found at FinalMatchSettlement.com.

This report includes contributions from ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano.