Settlement Reached in Copa América Class Action Lawsuit

omidbasir- A settlement has been achieved 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 prior to the match, many ticket-holding fans were unable to enter the venue, while others chose to leave early, fearing for their safety. These individuals are expected to constitute the majority of those filing claims related to the settlement.

Defendants in the lawsuit included CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC, the operator of Hard Rock Stadium. Under the terms of the settlement, these defendants will collectively contribute over $14 million into a fund accessible to fans adversely affected by the crowd issues during the final. The final distribution will depend on the number of claims submitted by impacted fans.

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 tangible relief to class members of the Copa América Class Action lawsuit.” Newsome further noted, “We look forward to presenting the settlement to the Court.”

Concacaf declined to comment, and Hard Rock Stadium did not provide a response to inquiries from ESPN. Attempts to contact Best Security for comments were unsuccessful, and CONMEBOL did not respond to requests for information.

The match between Argentina and Colombia experienced an 82-minute delay as fans without tickets breached security barriers to gain entry. In response, stadium personnel implemented lockdown procedures to regain control. However, as dangerous conditions arose, prompting fears of crushing among fans outside, the venue was reopened, allowing entry to some individuals regardless of ticket status. Once capacity was reached, stadium gates were closed again, preventing entry for many ticketed fans.

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, 116 of which were medical emergencies.

The settlement stipulates two categories for plaintiffs, as outlined in documents viewed by ESPN. The first category includes fans who were “denied entry” into the stadium due to the crowd chaos. These fans will be eligible for a maximum refund of $2,000 per person. While some may have paid more than this amount on the secondary market, the settlement aims to ensure reimbursement for the majority of fans based on their ticket costs. Fans who spent less than $2,000 may also claim up to $300 in travel-related expenses, provided the total does not exceed the $2,000 cap.

The second category encompasses fans who experienced “denied full access and enjoyment of Hard Rock Stadium facilities or specific seats purchased.” This includes restrictions on purchasing concessions or merchandise due to overcrowding, with a cap of $100 per individual.

Affected fans will need to file claims, which require submission of a time-stamped photo or identification, proof of ticket purchase, and an affirmation regarding their denied entry or limited access. They must also confirm that they have not received a refund for any claimed out-of-pocket expenses.

Instructions for fans wishing to participate in the settlement will be available at FinalMatchSettlement.com.