Settlement Reached in Copa América Class Action Lawsuit

omidbasir- A settlement was finalized on Monday in the class action lawsuit initiated by fans after 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, numerous fans with tickets were unable to enter the venue, while others left prematurely for safety reasons. These individuals are anticipated to be the majority of those filing claims.

The defendants listed in the lawsuit include 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 into a fund accessible to fans affected by the crowd issues at the final. The final payout will be determined by 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 also expressed anticipation for presenting the settlement to the Court.

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

The final match between Argentina and Colombia was delayed by 82 minutes when unauthorized fans breached security barriers to gain entry. Stadium personnel responded by locking down the venue to restore order; however, as conditions became dangerous and some attendees risked being crushed against the gates, the venue was reopened, allowing entry for some fans regardless of their ticket status. Once the stadium reached capacity, the gates were closed again, 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 were medical emergencies.

Details of the settlement, parts of which have been reviewed by ESPN, categorize plaintiffs into two groups. The first group comprises fans who were “denied entry” into the stadium due to the crowd disturbances. These fans can receive up to $2,000 per person. While some fans paid more than this amount for tickets on the secondary market, the settlement aims to accommodate the majority for their ticket costs. Additionally, fans who paid less than $2,000 may submit claims for up to $300 in travel-related expenses, provided the total does not exceed $2,000.

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

Affected fans must file claims and provide a time-stamped photo or identification proof, ticket purchase verification, and an affirmation that they were either denied entry or access. They must also confirm that they have not received a refund for the claimed out-of-pocket expenses.

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

This report was contributed to by ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano.