Settlement Reached in Copa América Class Action Lawsuit

omidbasir- A settlement was reached on Monday in the class action lawsuit filed by fans following the tumultuous 2024 Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia, held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Due to disturbances in the crowd before kickoff, many ticket-holding fans could not enter the venue, while others chose to leave early out of safety concerns. These individuals are expected to constitute the majority of those filing claims.

The defendants in the lawsuit included CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC, which manages Hard Rock Stadium. As part of the settlement agreement, these defendants 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, 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 also expressed anticipation for presenting the settlement to the Court.

Concacaf declined to comment, and Hard Rock Stadium did not respond to inquiries from ESPN. Attempts to reach Best Security for a comment were unsuccessful, and CONMEBOL did not provide feedback.

The final match between Argentina and Colombia was delayed by 82 minutes when fans without tickets breached security barriers to enter the venue. In response, stadium personnel locked down the facility in an effort to regain control. However, as dangerous conditions escalated, with some fans at risk of being crushed against the gates, the venue was reopened, allowing entry for fans, both ticketed and non-ticketed. Once the stadium reached capacity, the gates were shut again, preventing entry for some ticket holders.

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

The settlement terms, partially reviewed by ESPN, categorize plaintiffs into two groups. The first group includes fans who were “denied entry” due to the crowd turmoil, eligible for a maximum refund of $2,000 per individual. Although some fans purchased tickets for more than this amount on the secondary market, the settlement aims to cover the majority of fans’ ticket costs. Fans who paid less than $2,000 can also submit claims for up to $300 in travel-related expenses, provided the total does not exceed $2,000.

The second group consists of fans who were “denied full access and enjoyment of Hard Rock Stadium facilities or specific seats purchased.” This may include restrictions on purchasing concessions or merchandise due to overcrowding. Compensation for this group will be capped at $100 per person.

Fans affected by the events at the final must file claims, which require submission of a time-stamped photo or proof of identification, proof of ticket purchase, and an affirmation of being denied entry or full access to the stadium. They must also confirm that they have not received any refunds for the claimed out-of-pocket expenses.

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

This report includes contributions from ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano.