The Copa America final faced significant delays due to a security breach as supporters without tickets attempted to enter Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The highly anticipated match experienced over an hour’s delay as stadium personnel and law enforcement worked to manage the situation.
Located in Miami Gardens, Florida, Hard Rock Stadium, a venue also set to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, became the center of fan-related chaos on the day of the Copa America final. Reports emerged of thousands of individuals without valid tickets trying to force their way into the stadium, leading to clashes with security personnel and posing a risk to ticket-holding fans and officials.
Stadium authorities released a statement on social media platform X, detailing the events: “Thousands of fans without tickets attempted to forcibly enter the stadium, putting other fans, security and law enforcement officers at extreme risk.” In response to the escalating situation, stadium gates were temporarily closed to regain control over entry procedures and prioritize the safety of attendees. This measure resulted in a significantly slowed entry process to manage the overwhelming crowds.
Initially scheduled for a prompt start, the Copa America final kick-off time was first postponed by 30 minutes, followed by an additional 15-minute delay as organizers grappled with the unfolding issues outside the venue. Ultimately, the match was delayed “until further notice,” causing uncertainty for fans both inside and outside the stadium. Players were eventually called back onto the pitch for a second warm-up session approximately 40 minutes after the original start time, with the game finally commencing more than 75 minutes behind schedule.
Miami-Dade County Police Department confirmed their involvement, stating there had been “several incidents” attributed to the “unruly behaviour of fans trying to access the stadium.” The large crowds attempting to gain unauthorized entry created a challenging environment for security and law enforcement officials.
The Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium was expected to be a sold-out event, with anticipation building for a crowd exceeding 65,000 spectators. CONMEBOL, South America’s football governing body, had previously alerted fans about the necessity of holding valid tickets even to access stadium parking areas, indicating the high demand for the match.
Adding to earlier concerns regarding match scheduling, the Copa America final faced prior criticism due to an extended half-time interval. The originally planned 15-minute break was lengthened to 25 minutes to accommodate a performance by renowned Colombian singer Shakira. This decision had already drawn remarks from Colombia’s coach, Nestor Lorenzo, who voiced his opinion that “It should be like any game. It should be the 15 minutes according to the regulations,” highlighting a potential deviation from standard match protocols for the sake of entertainment. Despite these issues, the focus shifted to the fan-related disruptions that ultimately led to the delayed start of the Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
