History of Copa Libertadores in Timeline

The Copa Libertadores, officially known as the Copa Libertadores de América, is an annual club football tournament organized by CONMEBOL since 1960. It is the most prestigious club competition in South American football. The tournament's name pays homage to the Libertadores, the leaders of the Latin American independence movements. It represents the highest level of competition for clubs within the CONMEBOL confederation.

1948: South American Championship of Champions

In 1948, the South American Championship of Champions was played in Santiago, Chile, bringing together champions of each nation's top national leagues, and won by Vasco da Gama of Brazil.

1948: Exclusion of South American Championship of Champions

The 1948 South American Championship of Champions is not listed by Conmebol as a Copa Libertadores edition or an official competition.

1955: Creation of the European Cup

In 1955, the creation of the European Cup occurred, modeled after the South American Championship of Champions.

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, the South American equivalent of the European Cup, at a UEFA meeting.

March 5, 1959: Ratification of the competition

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

1960: Winners Entered at Semifinal Stage

Between 1960, previous Copa Libertadores winners would enter the competition at the semifinal stage.

1960: Participation in Intercontinental Cup

Between 1960, the Copa Libertadores winner participated in the Intercontinental Cup against the European Cup winner.

1960: Initial Tie-Breaking Rules

From 1960, Copa Libertadores ties were decided on points without considering goal differences, followed by a third match at a neutral venue if necessary.

1960: Copa Libertadores de América Organized

In 1960, CONMEBOL started organizing the annual continental club football competition known as Copa Libertadores, the highest level of club football competition in South America.

1960: Predominance of Atlantic Coast Nations

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

1965: Renamed Copa Libertadores

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

1966: Runners-up of South American leagues began to join

In 1966, the Copa Libertadores expanded to include the runners-up of the South American leagues.

1972: Universitario Reaches Final

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

1974: Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América

In 1974, the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América" was used in Uruguay to decide qualification for the Libertadores.

1975: Union 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 Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay to win the Copa Libertadores.

1980: Participation in Toyota Cup

After 1980, the Copa Libertadores winner participated in the Toyota Cup, which replaced the Intercontinental Cup, against the European Cup winner.

1987: End of Initial Tie-Breaking Rules

Until 1987, Copa Libertadores ties were decided on points and a third match if necessary, without considering goal differences.

1987: End of Automatic Semifinal Entry for Winners

Until 1987, previous Copa Libertadores winners entered the competition at the semifinal stage.

1988: Introduction of Goal Difference

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

1989: Atletico Nacional Wins Copa Libertadores

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 Sporting Club in the Final

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

1991: Colo-Colo Wins Copa Libertadores

In 1991, Colo-Colo of Chile won the Copa Libertadores, becoming the second nation with a Pacific coastline to win the tournament.

1992: Liguilla Pre-Libertadores Used by Peru and Argentina

In 1992, Peru used the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores" to decide qualification for the Libertadores, and Argentina used an analogous method only once.

1995: "Three points for a win" standard adopted

From 1995, CONMEBOL adopted the "Three points for a win" standard for Copa Libertadores, placing additional value on wins.

1996: Conmebol entitled equal status to Copa Libertadores and the 1948 tournament

In 1996 Conmebol entitled equal status to Copa Libertadores and the 1948 tournament.

1997: Conmebol entitled equal status to Copa Libertadores and the 1948 tournament

In 1997 Conmebol entitled equal status to Copa Libertadores and the 1948 tournament.

1997: Liguilla Pre-Libertadores used by Peru

In 1997, Peru used the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores" to decide qualification for the Libertadores.

1997: Toyota Sponsors Copa Libertadores

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

1998: Barcelona Sporting Club in the Final Again

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

1998: Mexican teams Invited

In 1998, Mexican teams were first invited to compete in the Copa Libertadores.

1998: Vasco da Gama Investment

In 1998, Vasco da Gama spent $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 Expanded

In 2000, the Copa Libertadores tournament was expanded from 20 to 32 teams.

2004: InterLiga used by Mexico

In 2004, Mexico used the InterLiga to decide qualification for the 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.

2005: Adoption of Away Goals Rule

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

2008: Banco Santander Sponsors Copa Libertadores

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 Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América

In 2009, the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América" was discontinued in Uruguay.

2010: Guadalajara Players Preference

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

2010: End of InterLiga

In 2010, the InterLiga was discontinued in Mexico.

2011: Santos Players Desire to Stay

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

2011: Copa Sudamericana Winner Qualifies Automatically

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

2013: Bridgestone Sponsors Copa Libertadores

Starting with the 2013 edition, Bridgestone became the third title sponsor of Copa Libertadores, signing a five-year deal.

2015: Jacques Ferran Confirms European Cup Inspiration

In 2015, Jacques Ferran, one of the "founding fathers" of the European Cup, confirmed that the South American Championship of Champions inspired its creation.

2016: Atletico Nacional wins its second title

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

2016: End of Mexican Teams Participation

In 2016, Mexican teams ceased regularly competing in Copa Libertadores.

2017: End of Bridgestone Sponsorship

In 2017, Bridgestone's sponsorship deal for naming rights of the Copa Libertadores concluded after a five-year period that began with the 2013 edition.

2019: Teams Contesting the 2019 Edition

The 2019 edition of Copa Libertadores was contested by different teams in its various stages.

2023: Prize Money for Copa Libertadores

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