Copa America Final Delayed as Viral Videos Show Fans Rushing Entrance Gates

Julia StumbaughJuly 15, 2024

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 14: Fans try to enter the stadium amid disturbances prior to during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium on July 14, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Megan Briggs/Getty Images

The start to Sunday's Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium was delayed after "thousands" of fans attempted to force their way in through closed entry gates, the venue announced Sunday.

Hard Rock Stadium @HardRockStadium
Statement from a Hard Rock Stadium Spokesperson <a href="https://t.co/fWFDq7ggS8">pic.twitter.com/fWFDq7ggS8</a>

B/R Football @brfootball
The start time for the Copa América final has been delayed for a second time after fans without tickets entered the stadium <a href="https://t.co/h3tBSgqBx8">pic.twitter.com/h3tBSgqBx8</a>

Video posted on social media showed hundreds of fans packed outside the fences and struggling to enter the stadium.

Simon Evans @sgevans
Chaotic scenes at Copa America final. Hundreds of fans still not being let in after three times gates were opened but turnstiles were rushed by fans. Nearly two hours after gates were supposed to open <a href="https://t.co/uyWI6K2dvB">pic.twitter.com/uyWI6K2dvB</a>

Kyle Bonn @the_bonnfire
BREAKING: The gates at Hard Rock Stadium have been breached and scores of fans have begun streaming in for the 2024 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaAmerica?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CopaAmerica</a> final. Police are scrambling to try and stem the flow of people. <a href="https://t.co/fkoMMYGk8K">pic.twitter.com/fkoMMYGk8K</a>

FOX Soccer @FOXSoccer
A look inside the situation at Hard Rock Stadium on the Suite Level. Expected kickoff is still set for 8:45pm ET. <a href="https://t.co/o95chh9pGq">pic.twitter.com/o95chh9pGq</a>

Tactical Manager @ManagerTactical
More people getting into the game through… what??? The vent?? What is happening in the Copa America Final? <a href="https://t.co/QKgkwEmnCW">pic.twitter.com/QKgkwEmnCW</a>

Henry Bushnell @HenryBushnell
An utter disaster in Miami at the Copa America final. Just look at the faces. Listen to the panic. These terrifying scenes via <a href="https://twitter.com/AztecaDeportes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AztecaDeportes</a>. There are many others. <a href="https://t.co/KHQDMhTVDX">pic.twitter.com/KHQDMhTVDX</a>

It was not immediately clear how many fans held tickets for the match. CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American soccer, issued a statement urging attendees not to enter the stadium without tickets.

The Miami-Dade Police also issued a statement urging fans to remain "patient."

Miami-Dade Police @MiamiDadePD
<a href="https://t.co/gj5qZ8Av4a">pic.twitter.com/gj5qZ8Av4a</a>

FOX's Jenny Taft said that some players were unable to get their families into the arena amid the chaos.

Taft noted that dehydration among waiting fans was a concern for arena security as temperatures remained over 85 degrees after sunset.

The kickoff, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, was rescheduled multiple times as players left the field in the middle of warmups. The players returned around 8:40 p.m. ahead of the new kickoff time of 9:15 pm ET.

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Sunday's crowd issue, which come just days after Colombia's 1-0 semifinal win over Uruguay ended in a brawl that involved both players and fans at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, raises concerns for the United States as hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

American and FIFA officials may decide to review venue safety policies before international soccer returns to Hard Rock Stadium in two years.

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Copa America Final Delayed as Viral Videos Show Fans Rushing Entrance Gates