The Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia was delayed for over an hour on Sunday due to chaotic scenes at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Thousands of ticketless fans attempted to breach security, leading to a significant disruption as they rushed the gates.
Footage on social media captured tense moments as security struggled to manage the crowd. Police intervened, locking down the venue and preventing many fans from entering before the match began. Both teams were removed from the field amidst the turmoil.
A Reuters witness reported that security staff ejected several individuals from the stadium, while some players’ families were left stranded outside. As a result, CONMEBOL, South American football’s governing body, delayed the kickoff time multiple times—from 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., then to 8:45 p.m., and finally to 9:15 p.m., when the teams finally lined up for the national anthems.
In a statement, a Hard Rock Stadium spokesperson said, “In anticipation of tonight’s Copa America final, thousands of fans without tickets attempted to forcibly enter the stadium, putting everyone at risk. Security has shut the gates to control entry and ensure safety.”
Miami-Dade police reported several incidents due to the unruly behavior of fans attempting to access the stadium. They urged the public to be patient and comply with the rules established by law enforcement and stadium staff.
Reports indicated that for at least one entry point, fans with tickets were admitted individually. Social media posts revealed that some attendees fainted amid the chaos, while others received medical attention. Families of Argentina players were also caught up in the frenzy.
Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister’s mother shared her concern about the situation, stating, “He was worried and called us all the time to check on us, saying he would wait at the gate until we could get in.” Alejandro Garnacho’s brother expressed frustration on social media, saying, “What a shame CONMEBOL. Families not being able to enter the stadium is unbelievable.”
Some fans claimed to have spent thousands of dollars on tickets but were still unable to enter. One fan remarked, “They opened the gates and let people in without checking tickets; we don’t know what they might have brought with them.” Another expressed hope that organizers of the upcoming 2026 World Cup would take preventive measures against such chaos.
CONMEBOL noted that they had enhanced security following incidents during the semi-final between Uruguay and Colombia. Additionally, they confirmed that Shakira’s halftime show would extend to 20 minutes, a point of contention for Colombia’s coach Nestor Lorenzo, who argued that the longer break could impact player performance.
