Settlement Reached in Copa América Class Action Lawsuit

omidbasir- A settlement was reached on Monday regarding the class action lawsuit filed 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 crowd disturbances before the match began, many ticket-holding fans were unable to enter the stadium, while others exited early due to safety concerns. These individuals are expected to represent the majority of those submitting claims.

The defendants in the lawsuit included CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC, the entity that owns and operates Hard Rock Stadium. As part of the settlement, these parties will collectively contribute over $14 million to a fund accessible to fans affected by the crowd issues during the final. The total payout will depend on the number of claims submitted.

Attorney Jeff Newsome from the firm Varnell & Warwick PA, representing the plaintiffs and class counsel, remarked, “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 anticipation for presenting the settlement to the court.

While a spokesperson for Concacaf declined to provide a comment, Hard Rock Stadium and CONMEBOL did not respond to requests for statements. Efforts to obtain comments from Best Security were also unsuccessful.

The final match was delayed by 82 minutes as fans without tickets broke through security barriers in an attempt to enter the venue. In response, stadium personnel initiated lockdown procedures to restore order. However, conditions deteriorated, posing a risk of injury as fans became trapped against the gates. Consequently, the venue reopened, allowing some fans to enter without tickets. Once capacity was reached, entry gates were closed again, which barred legitimate ticket holders from entering.

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

Details of the settlement, which have been reviewed by ESPN, categorize plaintiffs into two groups. The first category includes fans who were “denied entry” into the stadium due to the disturbances, eligible for a maximum refund of $2,000 per person. Although some fans may have paid more than $2,000 for tickets on the secondary market, the settlement aims to address most fans’ ticket costs. Those who paid less than $2,000 may also submit claims for reimbursement of up to $300 in travel-related expenses, provided the total claim does not exceed the $2,000 maximum.

The second category pertains to 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 in this category is capped at $100 per person.

Affected fans will need to file claims, including a time-stamped photo or proof of identification, ticket purchase proof, and an affirmation confirming that they were denied entry or full access to the stadium. Additionally, they must attest that they have not received any refunds for the costs claimed.

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

ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano contributed to this report.