History of Copa Libertadores in Timeline
The Copa Libertadores, officially known as the Copa Libertadores de América, is an annual club football tournament established in 1960. Organized by CONMEBOL, it represents the highest tier of South American club football. Its name pays homage to the Libertadores, the key figures behind the Spanish American wars of independence and Brazilian Independence. The tournament brings together top clubs from across South America to compete for the title of continental champion.
1948: South American Championship of Champions
In 1948, the South American Championship of Champions was played in Santiago, Chile. Organized by Colo-Colo, it brought together champions from various national leagues and was won by Vasco da Gama of Brazil. This tournament served as a direct precursor to the Copa Libertadores.
1948: Exclusion from Copa Libertadores
The 1948 South American Championship of Champions is not listed as a Copa Libertadores edition by CONMEBOL.
1955: Inspiration for the European Cup
In 1955, the creation of the European Cup was influenced by the 1948 South American Championship of Champions, according to Jacques Ferran, one of the European Cup's founding members.
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. It was designed as a South American equivalent of the European Cup, with the aim of determining the best club team in the world through the Intercontinental Cup.
March 5, 1959: Competition Ratification
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: Previous Winners Entered at Semifinal Stage
Between 1960, the Copa Libertadores previous winners entered the competition at the semifinal stage, making it easier to retain the cup.
1960: Original Tie-Breaking Rules
From 1960, Copa Libertadores matches used a point system for two-legged ties (2 points for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss) without considering goal differences. A third match at a neutral venue was played if teams were level on points. Goal difference only mattered if the third match was drawn, otherwise a penalty shootout determined the winner.
1960: Intercontinental Cup Participation
From 1960, the Copa Libertadores winner participated in the Intercontinental Cup (later the Toyota Cup after 1980), competing 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 tournament became the highest level of club football competition in South America.
1965: Name Change to Copa Libertadores
In 1965, the Copa de Campeones de America was renamed Copa Libertadores in honor of South American liberation heroes like Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín.
1966: Expansion to Include Runners-Up
In 1966, the Copa Libertadores expanded to include the runners-up from South American leagues, in addition to the champions.
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, but they lost against Independiente of Argentina.
1974: Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América (Uruguay)
In 1974, Uruguay started using the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América" tournament to decide qualification for the Copa Libertadores.
1975: Unión Española Reaches the Final
In 1975, Unión Española became the third Pacific team to reach the final, although they also lost to Independiente.
1980: Toyota Cup Participation
After 1980, the Copa Libertadores winner participated in the Toyota Cup, competing against the European Cup winner.
1987: Previous Winners Entered at Semifinal Stage Ended
Between 1987, the Copa Libertadores previous winners did not enter the competition at the semifinal stage anymore.
1987: End of Original Tie-Breaking Rules
In 1987, the Copa Libertadores ceased using the original tie-breaking rules that had been in place since 1960.
1988: Introduction of Goal Difference
From 1988, Copa Libertadores ties were decided on points, followed by goal difference. If still level after full-time in the second leg, an immediate penalty shootout took place.
1989: Atlético Nacional Wins the Copa Libertadores
In 1989, Atletico Nacional of Medellín, Colombia, won the Copa Libertadores, marking the first time a nation with a Pacific coastline won the tournament.
1991: Colo-Colo Wins Copa Libertadores
In 1991, Colo-Colo of Chile won the Copa Libertadores, becoming another club from a nation with a Pacific coastline to win the competition.
1992: Liguilla Pre-Libertadores (Peru & Argentina)
In 1992, Peru and Argentina used the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores" tournament to decide qualification for the Copa Libertadores. Argentina only used it once that year.
1995: "Three Points for a Win" Standard Adopted
From 1995, CONMEBOL adopted the "Three points for a win" system, in line with FIFA standards, assigning 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss in Copa Libertadores matches.
1996: Equal Status to Copa Libertadores
In 1996, CONMEBOL granted equal status to both Copa Libertadores and the 1948 South American Championship of Champions.
1997: Equal Status to Copa Libertadores
In 1997, CONMEBOL granted equal status to both Copa Libertadores and the 1948 South American Championship of Champions.
1997: End of Liguilla Pre-Libertadores (Peru)
In 1997, Peru ended the use of the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores" tournament to decide qualification for the Copa Libertadores.
1997: Toyota Sponsorship
In 1997, Toyota became the first major sponsor of the Copa Libertadores, signing a ten-year contract with CONMEBOL for naming rights.
1998: Mexican Teams Invited to Compete
In 1998, Mexican teams were first invited to compete in the Copa Libertadores, participating regularly from 2000 to 2016.
1998: Vasco da Gama's Investment
In 1998, Vasco da Gama invested $10 million to win the Copa Libertadores.
1999: Palmeiras win 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, the Copa Libertadores tournament expanded from 20 to 32 teams, allowing for greater representation from South American countries.
2004: InterLiga (Mexico)
In 2004, Mexico started using the InterLiga tournament to decide qualification for the Copa Libertadores.
2004: Once Caldas Wins Copa Libertadores
In 2004, Once Caldas of Colombia won the Copa Libertadores, joining the ranks of Pacific coastline nations to win the tournament.
2004: Club World Cup Participation
Since 2004, the Copa Libertadores winner has participated in the FIFA Club World Cup, playing against champion clubs from all six continental confederations.
2005: Adoption of Away Goals Rule
In 2005, CONMEBOL began using the away goals rule in the Copa Libertadores to break ties.
2008: Banco Santander Sponsorship
In 2008, Banco Santander became a major sponsor of 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, adding to the list of Pacific coastline nations' victories.
2008: Finals Exception to Away Goals
In 2008, the Copa Libertadores finals became an exception to the away goals rule and employed extra time if needed.
2009: End of Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América (Uruguay)
In 2009, Uruguay ended the use of the "Liguilla Pre-Libertadores de América" tournament to decide qualification for the Copa Libertadores.
2010: Game Appeared in Pro Evolution Soccer
From 2010, the Copa Libertadores game appeared in Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer.
2010: End of InterLiga (Mexico)
In 2010, Mexico ended the use of the InterLiga tournament to decide qualification for the Copa Libertadores.
2010: Guadalajara's Preference for Copa Libertadores
In 2010, players from Guadalajara expressed their preference to play in the Copa Libertadores final over a friendly match against Spain, the reigning world champions.
2011: Copa Sudamericana Winner Qualifies
In 2011, a new rule was implemented allowing the winner of the Copa Sudamericana to automatically qualify for the following Copa Libertadores tournament.
2011: Santos Players' Desire to Stay
In 2011, after winning the 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 like Chelsea and Lyon.
2013: Bridgestone Sponsorship
In 2013, Bridgestone signed a sponsorship deal for the naming rights of the Copa Libertadores for a period of five years.
2015: European Cup Influence Confirmed
In 2015, Jacques Ferran, a founding father of the European Cup, confirmed in an interview that the 1948 South American Championship of Champions influenced 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 their regular participation in the Copa Libertadores, after having been invited to compete since 1998.
2016: Game Appeared in Pro Evolution Soccer
Until 2016, the Copa Libertadores game appeared in Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer.
2017: End of Bridgestone Sponsorship
In 2017, the sponsorship deal between Bridgestone and CONMEBOL for the naming rights of the Copa Libertadores concluded after five years, ending in 2013.
2019: Brazilian Clubs' Winning Streak
In 2019, Brazilian clubs began a record-breaking winning streak in the Copa Libertadores, securing six consecutive titles.
2020: Game Appeared in FIFA series
From 2020, the Copa Libertadores game appeared in EA Sports's FIFA series.
2023: Prize Money Distribution
As of 2023, Copa Libertadores clubs receive US$500,000 for advancing to the second stage and US$1,000,000 per home match in the group phase, plus US$300,000 per match won in that stage. The winner earns US$18,000,000.
2023: EA Sports FC Series License
In 2023, EA Sports became the current license holder for the Copa Libertadores video game with the EA Sports FC series.
December 2024: Player Status Update
As of December 2024, the data provided indicates which players participated in the 2024 Copa Libertadores.
2024: Puma Cumbre Official Match Ball
In 2024, Puma Cumbre is the official match ball for both the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana editions.
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