WATCH: Soccer Fans Storm Stadium Gates in WILD Scene Ahead of Championship Match in Miami
Lynne Sladky/AP
Despite a thrilling finish in the Copa America final Sunday, much of the talk surrounding the event has been about fans storming the gates and delaying the match.
The match was delayed more than 80 minutes after thousands of fans — many of them without tickets — overwhelmed security at Hard Rock Stadium and forced their way into the venue. The surge of fans eventually led to stadium staff closing all gates, resulting in “extremely concerning congestion” just outside, according to CBS Sports reporter Jenny Chiu.
All gates closed due to the rushing of fans into the stadium…
Causing extremely concerning congestion#CopaAmerica2024 pic.twitter.com/FpydtPJxK7
— Jenny Chiu (@jennyachiu) July 14, 2024
That only halted the chaos momentarily as fans then began climbing over fences and even sneaking through the vents of the stadium to get in.
Fans are still sneaking into the stadium even with the game about to start. #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/L7i0Vf9wam
— Favian Renkel (@FavianRenkel) July 15, 2024
More people getting into the game through… what??? The vent??
What is happening in the Copa America Final? pic.twitter.com/QKgkwEmnCW
— Tactical Manager (@ManagerTactical) July 15, 2024
A look inside the situation at Hard Rock Stadium on the Suite Level.
Expected kickoff is still set for 8:45pm ET. pic.twitter.com/o95chh9pGq
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
The result was a stadium so packed that the aisles between sections weren’t even visible from afar, presenting an extreme safety risk.
A look inside the situation at Hard Rock Stadium on the Suite Level.
Expected kickoff is still set for 8:45pm ET. pic.twitter.com/o95chh9pGq
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024
Amid the chaos, an escalator was also completely destroyed.
Así quedó el lobby del Hard Rock stadium. pic.twitter.com/Fvz11FYzmg
— Iván Kasanzew (@IvanKasanzew) July 15, 2024
Although the match was initially delayed to remove those who entered without tickets, that did not happen. Because of this, thousands of fans got in for free while others who paid thousands of dollars per ticket did not.
“We understand there are disappointed ticket holders who were not able to enter stadium after the perimeter was closed,” read a statement from Hard Rock Stadium, “and we will work in partnership with CONMEBOL to address those individual concerns.”
— Hard Rock Stadium (@HardRockStadium) July 15, 2024
According to the statement, preparations for the even including more than twice as many personnel “than a typical at-capacity stadium event.”
