Settlement Reached in Copa América Class Action Lawsuit

omidbasir- A settlement has been finalized in the class action lawsuit initiated 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, numerous ticket-holding fans were unable to enter the venue, while others chose to leave early out of safety concerns. These individuals are anticipated to make up the majority of those filing claims.

The lawsuit listed CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC, the entity that owns and operates Hard Rock Stadium, as defendants. Under the terms of the settlement, these defendants will collectively contribute over $14 million to a fund accessible to fans affected by the crowd issues during the final, with final payouts 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 advocating for the fans. Today, the Named Plaintiffs and the entire Class Counsel team are proud to provide meaningful relief to the class members involved in the Copa América Class Action lawsuit.” Newsome further mentioned, “We look forward to presenting the settlement to the Court.”

A spokesperson for Concacaf declined to comment, and no remarks were provided by Hard Rock Stadium or CONMEBOL regarding the matter. An attempt to reach Best Security for comment was also unsuccessful.

The match between Argentina and Colombia experienced an 82-minute delay as unauthorized fans breached security barriers to gain entry. Stadium personnel reacted by locking down the venue to regain control. However, as conditions became perilous, with fans at risk of being crushed against the gates, the venue reopened, allowing some individuals to enter regardless of ticket status. Once the stadium reached full capacity, the gates were once again closed, denying entry to some ticket-holders.

Miami-Dade Police reported 27 arrests and 55 ejections, while Miami-Dade Fire Rescue attended to 120 incidents at the stadium, 116 of which were medical-related.

According to details of the settlement, which have been reviewed by ESPN, plaintiffs are categorized into two groups. The first group consists of fans who were “denied entry” to the stadium due to crowd issues, who may claim a maximum refund of $2,000 per person. Although some ticket prices exceeded this amount on the secondary market, the settlement aims to reimburse most fans for their ticket costs. Additionally, fans who paid under $2,000 for their tickets may claim up to $300 in travel-related expenses, provided the total does not surpass the $2,000 maximum.

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

Affected fans must file claims and include a time-stamped photo or proof of identification, ticket purchase proof, and an affirmation regarding their denied entry or full access. They must also confirm that they have not previously received a refund for any claimed expenses.

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

ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano contributed to this report.