Settlement Reached in Copa América Class Action Lawsuit

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

Due to crowd disturbances prior to the kickoff, many ticket holders were unable to enter the venue, while others opted to leave early out of safety concerns. These affected individuals are expected to constitute the majority of the claimants in this case.

Named as defendants in the lawsuit were CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC, the entity responsible for operating Hard Rock Stadium. Under the terms of the settlement, these defendants will contribute over $14 million into a fund available to fans impacted by the crowd issues during the final. The final payout amount will depend on the number of claim submissions received.

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 substantial relief to the class members of the Copa América Class Action lawsuit.” He further indicated anticipation for the opportunity to present the settlement to the Court.

Requests for comment were not responded to by Concacaf, Hard Rock Stadium, or CONMEBOL, and attempts to reach Best Security were unsuccessful.

The final match experienced an 82-minute delay due to fans without tickets breaching security barriers to gain entry. In response, stadium personnel initiated a lockdown to regain control. However, as conditions became dangerous, with some individuals at risk of being crushed against the external gates, the venue was reopened, allowing entry for some fans regardless of ticket ownership. Once the stadium reached capacity, the gates were closed again, preventing entry for several ticket holders.

According to Miami-Dade Police, there were 27 arrests and 55 ejections during the event, while Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported responding to 120 incidents, predominantly medical in nature.

As per the settlement terms, which ESPN has reviewed, claimants will be categorized into two groups. The first group consists of fans who were “denied entry” due to the crowd disturbances; they may receive a maximum refund of $2,000 each. Although some fans paid more than $2,000 for their tickets on the secondary market, the settlement aims to accommodate most ticket holders’ expenses. Fans who purchased tickets for less than $2,000 may also submit claims for reimbursement of up to $300 in travel-related expenses, as long as the total does not exceed $2,000.

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

Affected fans are required to file claims and must include a time-stamped photo or proof of identification, evidence of ticket purchase, and an affirmation of being denied entry or full access to the stadium. Additionally, claimants must confirm that they have not received a refund for any claimed expenses.

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

ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano contributed to this report.