History of Copa Libertadores in Timeline

The Copa Libertadores is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 1960. As the highest level of South American club football, it features teams from across the continent. The tournament's name honors the 'Libertadores,' the leaders of Latin American independence movements.

1948: South American Championship of Champions

In 1948, the South American Championship of Champions is not officially listed as a Copa Libertadores edition by Conmebol, though it held equal status in 1996/1997.

1955: Inspiration for the European Cup

In 1955, the South American Championship of Champions served as the inspiration for the creation of the European Cup, according to Jacques Ferran.

October 8, 1958: Announcement of Copa de Campeones de America

On October 8, 1958, João Havelange announced the creation of Copa de Campeones de America at a UEFA meeting, intending it to be the South American equivalent of the European Cup.

March 5, 1959: Ratification of the competition

On March 5, 1959, the Copa de Campeones de America competition was ratified by the International Affairs Committee at the 24th South American Congress in Buenos Aires.

1960: Competition Format Start

Between 1960 and 1987 the previous Copa Libertadores winners did not enter the competition until the semifinal stage.

1960: Participation in Intercontinental Cup

From 1960 to 2004, the Copa Libertadores winner participated in the Intercontinental Cup, a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL.

1960: Initial Tie-Breaking Rules

From 1960, Copa Libertadores ties were decided on points without considering goal differences. If teams were level, a third match would be played, and only if that was drawn, a penalty shootout would be used.

1960: First Copa Libertadores

In 1960, the Copa Libertadores de América was established by CONMEBOL as an annual continental club football competition. It represents the highest level of competition in South American club football.

1960: Predominant Winners

Since its inception in 1960, the Copa Libertadores had predominantly been won by clubs from nations with an Atlantic coast like Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

1965: Name Change to Copa Libertadores

In 1965, the Copa de Campeones de America was renamed Copa Libertadores in honor of South American independence heroes.

1966: Runners-up Join

In 1966, the Copa Libertadores expanded to include the runners-up of the South American leagues, increasing the competition's scope.

1972: Universitario Reaches Final

In 1972, Universitario of Lima, Peru, became the first club from a country with a Pacific coast to reach the Copa Libertadores final, but lost against Independiente of Argentina.

1974: Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América in Uruguay

In 1974, Uruguay used the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América" (from 1974 to 2009) to decide qualification for the Copa Libertadores.

1975: Unión Española Reaches Final

In 1975, Unión Española became the third Pacific team to reach the Copa Libertadores final, although they also lost to Independiente.

1979: Olimpia's Triumph

In 1979, Olimpia of Paraguay became the first team outside of the Atlantic coast nations (Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay) to win the Copa Libertadores.

1980: Participation in Toyota Cup

From 1980 to 2004, the Copa Libertadores winner participated in the Toyota Cup, a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL.

1987: Competition Format Change

Between 1960 and 1987 the previous Copa Libertadores winners did not enter the competition until the semifinal stage.

1987: End of Initial Tie-Breaking Rules

Until 1987, Copa Libertadores ties were decided on points. If teams were level, a third match would be played, and only if that was drawn, a penalty shootout would be used.

1988: Introduction of Goal Difference

From 1988, Copa Libertadores ties were decided on points, followed by goal difference, with an immediate penalty shootout if the tie was level on aggregate.

1989: Atletico Nacional Wins

In 1989, Atletico Nacional of Medellín, Colombia, won the Copa Libertadores, becoming the first nation with a Pacific coastline to win the tournament.

1990: Barcelona SC Loses Final

In 1990, Barcelona Sporting Club of Ecuador reached the final but lost to Olimpia.

1991: Colo-Colo Wins Copa Libertadores

In 1991, Colo-Colo of Chile won the Copa Libertadores, marking a significant achievement for a club from a nation with a Pacific coastline.

1992: Liguilla Pre-Libertadores in Peru and Argentina

In 1992, Peru used the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores" (from 1992 to 1997) to decide qualification for the Copa Libertadores, and Argentina used an analogous method once.

1995: "Three Points for a Win" Standard Adopted

From 1995, CONMEBOL adopted the "Three points for a win" system in the Copa Libertadores, awarding 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss.

1996: Equal Status with Copa Libertadores

In 1996/1997, Conmebol gave equal status to both the Copa Libertadores and the 1948 South American Championship of Champions, allowing the 1948 champion club (CR Vasco da Gama) to participate in Supercopa Libertadores.

1997: Equal Status with Copa Libertadores

1997: Toyota Sponsorship

In 1997, Toyota became the first major sponsor for the Copa Libertadores, signing a ten-year contract with CONMEBOL for naming rights.

1997: End of the Liguilla Pre-Libertadores in Peru

In 1997, the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores" era concluded in Peru. The tournament started in 1992.

1998: Barcelona SC Loses Final Again

In 1998, Barcelona Sporting Club, of Ecuador, once again reached the Copa Libertadores final but lost to CR Vasco da Gama.

1998: Mexican Teams Invited

In 1998, Mexican teams were invited to compete in the Copa Libertadores, adding a new dimension to the tournament.

1998: Vasco da Gama Investment

In 1998, Vasco da Gama invested $10 million to win the Copa Libertadores.

1999: Palmeiras wins Copa Libertadores

In 1999, Palmeiras, managed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, won the Copa Libertadores after bringing in players like Júnior Baiano.

2000: Tournament Expansion

In 2000, the Copa Libertadores expanded from 20 to 32 teams, increasing the number of participating clubs.

2004: InterLiga in Mexico

In 2004, Mexico used the InterLiga (from 2004 to 2010) to decide qualification for the Copa Libertadores.

2004: Once Caldas Wins Copa Libertadores

In 2004, Once Caldas of Colombia won the Copa Libertadores.

2004: Participation in Club World Cup

Since 2004, the Copa Libertadores winner has played in the Club World Cup, an international competition contested by champion clubs from all six continental confederations.

2005: Away Goals Rule Introduced

Starting with the 2005 season, CONMEBOL began using the away goals rule in the Copa Libertadores.

2008: Banco Santander Sponsorship

In 2008, Banco Santander became the second major sponsor for the Copa Libertadores, signing a five-year contract with CONMEBOL.

2008: LDU Quito Wins Copa Libertadores

In 2008, LDU Quito of Ecuador won the Copa Libertadores.

2008: Extra Time in Finals

In 2008, the Copa Libertadores finals became an exception to the away goals rule and employed extra time.

2009: End of the Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América in Uruguay

In 2009, the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América" era concluded in Uruguay. The tournament started in 1974.

2010: Guadalajara Preference

In 2010, players from Guadalajara preferred playing in the Copa Libertadores final over a friendly against Spain.

2010: End of InterLiga in Mexico

In 2010, the InterLiga era concluded in Mexico. The tournament started in 2004.

2011: Santos Players Wish to Stay

In 2011, after winning the Copa do Brasil, several Santos players preferred to stay and participate in the 2011 Copa Libertadores, despite lucrative offers from European clubs.

2011: Copa Sudamericana Winner Qualifies

Since 2011, the winner of the Copa Sudamericana automatically qualifies for the following Copa Libertadores.

2013: Bridgestone Sponsorship

In 2013, Bridgestone became the third title sponsor of Copa Libertadores, signing a five-year sponsorship deal for naming rights.

2015: Jacques Ferran Interview

In 2015, Jacques Ferran confirmed in an interview with a Brazilian TV sports programme that the South American Championship of Champions inspired the creation of the European Cup in 1955.

2016: Atletico Nacional's Second Title

In 2016, Atletico Nacional of Colombia earned their second Copa Libertadores title.

2016: End of Mexican Teams Participation

In 2016, Mexican teams stopped competing regularly in Copa Libertadores, concluding their participation that began in 2000.

2017: End of Bridgestone Sponsorship

In 2017, the sponsorship deal between Bridgestone and Copa Libertadores ended, marking the end of the third major sponsor for naming rights since 1997.

2019: 2019 Edition Teams

In 2019, various teams competed in the different stages of the Copa Libertadores.

2023: Prize Money Distribution

As of 2023, clubs in the Copa Libertadores receive specific amounts of prize money for advancing through different stages of the competition, with the winner earning US$18,000,000.