History of Copa Libertadores in Timeline

The Copa Libertadores, officially known as Copa Libertadores de América, is an annual club football tournament organized by CONMEBOL since 1960. As the premier club competition in South American football, it features top teams from across the continent. The tournament's name honors the Libertadores, leaders of the South American independence movements. It represents the highest level of competition and prestige for football clubs in South America.

1948: South American Championship of Champions

In 1948, the South American Championship of Champions, a precursor to the Copa Libertadores, was organized by Colo-Colo in Santiago, Chile. Vasco da Gama of Brazil won the tournament.

1955: Inspiration for the European Cup

In 1955, the South American Championship of Champions inspired the creation of the European Cup, influencing the development of club football competitions worldwide.

October 8, 1958: Copa de Campeones de America Creation Announced

On October 8, 1958, João Havelange announced the creation of Copa de Campeones de America (later renamed Copa Libertadores) at a UEFA meeting, envisioning it as the South American equivalent of the European Cup.

March 5, 1959: Competition Ratified

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

1960: Past Winners Enter at Semifinal Stage

Between 1960, previous Copa Libertadores winners entered the competition at the semifinal stage, which made it much easier to retain the cup.

1960: Original Tie-Breaking System

From 1960, Copa Libertadores used a points system (2 for a win, 1 for a draw) to decide two-legged ties. A third match at a neutral venue was played if teams were level on points. Goal difference was only considered if the third match was drawn.

1960: Participation in Intercontinental Cup

From 1960, the Copa Libertadores winner participated in the Intercontinental Cup, endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, against the European Cup winner.

1960: Copa Libertadores Inauguration

In 1960, CONMEBOL organized the first Copa Libertadores de América, an annual continental club football competition. This marked the beginning of the highest level of club football competition in South America.

1960: Early Dominance 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, honoring the heroes of South American liberation.

1966: Addition of Runners-Up

In 1966, the Copa Libertadores expanded its format to include the runners-up from the South American leagues, allowing more teams to participate in the competition.

1972: Universitario Reaches the Final

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

1974: Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América Start

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

1975: Union Española Reaches the 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 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 against the European Cup winner.

1987: End of Original Tie-Breaking System

In 1987, the original tie-breaking system which consisted of two-legged ties decided on points (2 for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 points for a loss) without considering goal differences in Copa Libertadores was discontinued.

1987: Past Winners Semifinal Privilege Ends

Until 1987, previous Copa Libertadores winners entered the competition at the semifinal stage, which made it much easier to retain the cup. This format was discontinued after 1987.

1988: Introduction of Goal Difference and Penalty Shootouts

From 1988, two-legged ties in Copa Libertadores were decided on points, followed by goal difference, with a penalty shootout if the tie was level after the second leg.

1989: Atletico Nacional Wins Copa Libertadores

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

1990: Barcelona Sporting Club Loses 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, marking a victory for a nation with a Pacific coastline.

1992: Liguilla Pre-Libertadores in Peru and Argentina

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

1995: "Three points for a win" standard adoption

From 1995, CONMEBOL adopted the "Three points for a win" standard (3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss) in Copa Libertadores, aligning with FIFA's system.

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, in that the 1948 champion club (CR Vasco da Gama) was allowed to participate in Supercopa Libertadores

1997: Toyota Sponsorship

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

1997: End of First Liguilla Pre-Libertadores in Peru

In 1997, the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores" tournament in Peru was held for the last time between 1992 and 1997, to decide qualification for the Copa Libertadores.

1998: Mexico Participation

From 1998, Mexico got 3 runners up but no titles as an invited country

1998: Barcelona Sporting Club Loses 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 invited to compete in Copa Libertadores, marking a significant expansion of the tournament's reach.

1998: Vasco da Gama's Spending

In 1998, Vasco da Gama spent $10 million to win Copa Libertadores, illustrating significant investment in the tournament.

1999: Palmeiras won the Copa Libertadores

In 1999, Palmeiras, managed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, brought Júnior Baiano among other players, winning the Copa Libertadores.

2000: Tournament Expansion

In 2000, Copa Libertadores expanded from 20 to 32 teams, increasing the scale and competitiveness of the tournament.

2004: Once Caldas Wins Copa Libertadores

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

2004: InterLiga Start

In 2004, the InterLiga started in Mexico, to decide qualification for 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 involving champion clubs from all six continental confederations.

2005: Adoption of Away Goals Rule

Starting with the 2005 season, CONMEBOL adopted the away goals rule in Copa Libertadores to decide two-legged ties.

2008: Banco Santander Sponsorship

In 2008, Banco Santander became the second major sponsor for 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: Finals Exception to Away Goals Rule

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

2009: End of Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América

In 2009, the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América" in Uruguay was held for the last time, to decide qualification for the Copa Libertadores.

2010: Copa Libertadores in Pro Evolution Soccer

From 2010, the Copa Libertadores video game appeared in Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer.

2010: Guadalajara's Prioritization

In 2010, players from Guadalajara prioritized playing in the Copa Libertadores final over appearing in a friendly against Spain, highlighting the tournament's significance.

2010: End of InterLiga

In 2010, the InterLiga in Mexico was held for the last time, to decide qualification for the Copa Libertadores.

2011: Santos Players' Desire to Stay

In 2011, after winning the 2010 Copa do Brasil, several Santos players wished to stay at the club for the 2011 Copa Libertadores, despite lucrative offers from clubs in the UEFA Champions League, such as Chelsea of England and Lyon of France.

2011: Copa Sudamericana Winner Qualification

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

2013: Bridgestone Sponsorship

In 2013, Bridgestone signed a sponsorship deal for the naming rights for the Copa Libertadores for a period of five years.

2015: Jacques Ferran's Interview

In 2015, Jacques Ferran, one of the "founding fathers" of the European Cup, confirmed in an interview that the 1948 South American tournament inspired the creation of the European Cup.

2016: Atletico Nacional's Second Title

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

2016: End of Mexican Teams Participation

In 2016, Mexican teams ceased regularly competing in Copa Libertadores, concluding a period of participation that began in 1998.

2016: Mexico Participation

Until 2016, Mexico got 3 runners up but no titles as an invited country

2016: Copa Libertadores in Pro Evolution Soccer

Until 2016, the Copa Libertadores video game appeared in Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer.

2017: End of Bridgestone Sponsorship

In 2017, Bridgestone's sponsorship deal for naming rights of Copa Libertadores ended after five years.

2019: Brazilian Clubs Winning Streak

In 2019, Brazilian clubs started a record-breaking winning streak in the Copa Libertadores, winning seven consecutive titles.

2020: Copa Libertadores in FIFA series

From 2020, the Copa Libertadores video game appeared in EA Sports's FIFA series.

2023: Prize Money Structure

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.

2023: EA Sports FC Series License

In 2023, the Copa Libertadores video game license was held by EA Sports with the EA Sports FC series.

2024: Puma Cumbre Official Match Ball

In 2024, Puma Cumbre became the official match ball for both Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.

November 2025: Copa Libertadores Players in 2025

As of November 2025, the list of players who participated in the 2025 Copa Libertadores is updated, with players still active in the tournament highlighted in bold.