Settlement Reached in Copa América Class Action Lawsuit

omidbasir- A settlement was finalized on Monday regarding the class action lawsuit initiated 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 before the match commenced, several ticket-holding fans were unable to enter the stadium, while others exited early for safety reasons. These individuals are expected to represent the majority of those filing claims for compensation.

The defendants in the lawsuit include CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC, the entity that owns and operates Hard Rock Stadium. Under the terms of the settlement, these parties will collectively contribute more than $14 million to a fund that will be available to fans affected by the crowd issues during the final, with the final disbursement contingent on the number of claims submitted.

Attorney Jeff Newsome of 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 further expressed optimism about presenting the settlement to the court.

A spokesperson for Concacaf refrained from commenting, while Hard Rock Stadium and CONMEBOL did not respond to requests for statements. Attempts to reach Best Security for comments were also unsuccessful.

The Copa América final was delayed by 82 minutes after fans without tickets breached security barriers in an attempt to enter the venue. In response, stadium staff locked down the location to regain control. However, as dangerous situations arose, with some individuals at risk of being crushed against gates outside, the venue was reopened, allowing entry for fans regardless of ticket possession. Once the stadium reached full capacity, the gates were closed again, preventing some ticket holders from entering.

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 116 of those being medical in nature.

The settlement outlines two categories for plaintiffs, as seen in portions reviewed by ESPN. The first category covers fans who were “denied entry” due to the crowd disturbances, allowing for 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 provide compensation for the majority of ticket holders. Additionally, those who spent less than $2,000 on their tickets can claim up to $300 for travel-related expenses, provided the total does not exceed the $2,000 limit.

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

Impacted fans will need to submit claims and must include a time-stamped photo or proof of identification, evidence of ticket purchase, and an assertion that they were either denied entry or full access to the stadium. They must also confirm that they have not received any refunds for the claimed expenses.

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

This report includes contributions from ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano.