Copa América 2024 is set to be hosted across 14 vibrant cities in the United States this summer, promising a thrilling tournament for fans. The competition will culminate in the championship match in Miami Gardens, Florida on July 14, following the semifinals in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Last December, the joint announcement from South America’s CONMEBOL and North and Central America and the Caribbean’s CONCACAF confirmed the US cities that would welcome the 16 participating teams. This marks only the second time in its history that Copa América will be held outside of South America, since its inception in 1916, highlighting the growing global appeal of the tournament.
2024 Copa América Stadiums and Locations
Here’s a detailed list of the stadiums ready to host Copa América matches, along with their locations and seating capacities:
- Arlington, TX: AT&T Stadium (Capacity: 80,000)
- Atlanta, GA: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Capacity: 71,000)
- Austin, TX: Q2 Stadium (Capacity: 20,738)
- Charlotte, NC: Bank of America Stadium (Capacity: 74,867)
- East Rutherford, NJ: MetLife Stadium (Capacity: 82,566)
- Houston, TX: NRG Stadium (Capacity: 72,220)
- Inglewood, CA: SoFi Stadium (Capacity: 70,240)
- Santa Clara, CA: Levi’s Stadium (Capacity: 68,500)
- Glendale, AZ: State Farm Stadium (Capacity: 63,400)
- Las Vegas, NV: Allegiant Stadium (Capacity: 61,000)
- Kansas City, MO: Arrowhead Stadium (Capacity: 76,416)
- Kansas City, KS: Children’s Mercy Park (Capacity: 18,467)
- Miami Gardens, FL: Hard Rock Stadium (Capacity: 64,767)
- Orlando, FL: Inter&Co Stadium (Capacity: 25,500)
These stadiums, spread across the nation, are set to offer diverse and exciting backdrops for the matches, ensuring a memorable experience for both players and fans. For those interested in a deeper dive, a 2024 Copa América preview is available for more insights into the tournament.
Where Will the USMNT Play?
Fans eager to support the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) will find them competing in Group C, with their group stage matches scheduled at various locations.
The knockout stages will commence with the quarterfinals on July 4 at NRG Stadium in Houston, followed by July 5 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and July 6 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The crucial semifinals are slated for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 9 and Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on July 10. The third-place play-off will also take place in Charlotte on July 13, just before the grand final.
Victor Montagliani, President of CONCACAF, emphasized the quality of the chosen venues, stating, “These venues are world-class and have passionate fans who are renowned for getting behind major events.” This selection underscores the USA’s capability to host large-scale international football tournaments.
The opening match of Copa América 2024 is confirmed for Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on June 20, while Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida will host the highly anticipated final, as announced by CONMEBOL and CONCACAF last November.
Copa América Expansion and Tournament History
The 2024 edition of Copa América marks an expansion of the tournament, welcoming six teams from North America to join the traditional ten South American nations. This format mirrors the Copa América Centenario in 2016, which was also hosted in the United States. This expansion reflects a move to include a broader range of talent and increase the competitiveness of the tournament.
Alejandro Dominguez, President of CONMEBOL, expressed his enthusiasm: “We will experience an unforgettable Copa América, enjoying the best football in the world in 14 magnificent stadiums.” This sentiment is echoed by fans and officials alike, anticipating a high-caliber tournament across premier US venues.
For the 2024 Copa América, alongside the regular CONMEBOL participants, six CONCACAF teams will compete. The United States, Mexico, Jamaica, and Panama secured their places through the Nations League quarterfinals. The final two spots were determined by playoff games on March 23, featuring Costa Rica against Honduras and Canada against Trinidad and Tobago.
Notably, several stadiums will host multiple matches. MetLife Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AT&T Stadium, NRG Stadium, Q2 Stadium, State Farm Stadium, Allegiant Stadium, SoFi Stadium, and Levi’s Stadium are all set to host two group-round games each. Additionally, the Kansas City area will host two group games, one at Children’s Mercy Park and another at Arrowhead Stadium.
Interestingly, MetLife Stadium, NRG Stadium, Levi’s Stadium, and State Farm Stadium are repeat venues from the Copa América Centenario in 2016, showing their continued suitability for major football events.
Looking Ahead
Except for the Centenario tournament, Copa América has historically rotated among the 10 CONMEBOL nations in South America. Ecuador was initially slated to host in 2024 but withdrew due to security concerns. The United States stepped in, facilitated by a new partnership between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF.
Significantly, eight of the 14 Copa América stadiums are also selected as venues for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada. These include iconic stadiums like MetLife Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Levi’s Stadium, SoFi Stadium, AT&T Stadium, NRG Stadium, and Arrowhead Stadium.
Furthermore, some of these venues are in contention to host matches for the expanded 32-team Club World Cup in 2025, also to be held in the USA. Victor Montagliani believes that hosting these major tournaments will “cement our region as a global hub for football,” positioning the USA as a pivotal location for international football.
Source: Associated Press.
