Settlement Reached in Copa América Class Action Lawsuit

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 control issues leading up to kickoff, numerous ticket holders were unable to enter the venue, while others exited prematurely due to safety concerns. It is anticipated that these fans will make up the majority of those submitting claims for compensation.

Defendants in the lawsuit include CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC, which manages Hard Rock Stadium. As part of the settlement agreement, these parties will contribute over $14 million into a fund available to fans affected by the crowd disturbances during the final. The final distribution amounts will be determined by the total number of claims submitted.

Attorney Jeff Newsome from the 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 of the Copa América Class Action lawsuit.” He further expressed eagerness to present the settlement to the court.

A spokesperson for Concacaf declined to comment, and Hard Rock Stadium did not respond to inquiries from ESPN. Attempts to obtain comments from CONMEBOL and Best Security were also unsuccessful.

The final match between Argentina and Colombia was delayed by 82 minutes when unauthorized fans breached security barriers attempting to gain entry. In response, stadium personnel initiated lockdown procedures to restore order. However, as conditions became dangerous, with some fans at risk of being crushed against the gates outside, the venue was reopened to allow entry for all fans, ticketed or not. Once the stadium reached full capacity, the gates were closed again, preventing some ticket holders from entering.

Miami-Dade Police reported 27 arrests and 55 ejections, while Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to 120 incidents, 116 of which were medical emergencies.

According to the settlement terms, which have been partially disclosed to ESPN, plaintiffs are categorized into two groups. The first group consists of fans who were “denied entry” due to the crowd issues, eligible for a maximum refund of $2,000 per person. Although some paid more on the secondary market, the settlement aims to reimburse most fans for their tickets. Additionally, if a fan paid less than $2,000, they can claim up to $300 in travel-related expenses, provided the total does not exceed the $2,000 cap.

The second category includes fans who were “denied full access and enjoyment of Hard Rock Stadium facilities or specific purchased seats,” including concessions and merchandise that were unavailable due to overcrowding. Compensation for this group will be capped at $100 per individual.

Impacted fans must file claims and provide necessary documentation including a time-stamped photo or identification, proof of ticket purchase, and an affirmation of being denied entry or full access. They must also confirm that they have not received any refunds for claimed out-of-pocket expenses.

Fans wishing to participate in the settlement can find detailed instructions at FinalMatchSettlement.com.

This report also includes contributions from ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano.