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Jeff Carlisle
A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit filed by fans following the disorderly 2024 Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Due to crowd disturbances before the match, many fans were unable to enter the stadium, and others left early due to safety concerns. These fans are expected to represent the majority of the claimants.
The lawsuit named CONMEBOL, Concacaf, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC, the entity that operates Hard Rock Stadium, as defendants. As part of the settlement, these parties will collectively contribute over $14 million into a fund accessible to fans affected by the crowd issues, with the exact payout depending on the volume of claims submitted.
Attorney Jeff Newsome from Varnell & Warwick PA, representing the plaintiffs, 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 added, “We look forward to presenting the settlement to the Court.”
A spokesperson from Concacaf declined to comment, and Hard Rock Stadium and CONMEBOL did not respond to requests for comments. An attempt to reach Best Security was also unsuccessful.
The final match faced an 82-minute delay when fans without tickets breached security barriers to gain entry. Stadium officials attempted to lock down the venue to restore order. However, as the situation worsened, and fans became at risk of being crushed against exit gates, the stadium was reopened, allowing general entry. Once the venue reached capacity, the gates were shut again, leaving some ticket holders outside.
According to Miami-Dade Police, there were 27 arrests and 55 ejections during the event, while Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to 120 incidents, 116 of which were medical emergencies.
Details of the settlement, which were reviewed by ESPN, outline two categories for plaintiffs. The first includes fans who were “denied entry” due to the chaos, who are eligible for a maximum refund of $2,000 each. Although some fans may have paid more than $2,000 on secondary markets, the settlement aims to cover the majority of ticket costs. Fans who paid less than $2,000 can also claim up to $300 for travel expenses, provided the total remains under the $2,000 limit.
The second category pertains to fans who were “denied full access and enjoyment of Hard Rock Stadium facilities or specific seating,” including concessions and merchandise that were unavailable due to overcrowding. Compensation here is capped at $100 per person.
Impacted fans will need to submit claims, which must include a time-stamped photo or ID, proof of ticket purchase, and confirmation of either being denied entry or full access to the stadium. They must also affirm that they have not received any refunds for the claimed expenses.
Instructions for fans wishing to participate in the settlement can be found at FinalMatchSettlement.com.
ESPN writer Lizzy Becherano contributed to this report.