History of Copa Sudamericana in Timeline

The Copa Sudamericana is an annual international club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 2002. It is the second-most prestigious club competition in South American football. It replaced the Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur and has been a pure elimination tournament since its inception, with the number of rounds and teams varying each year. CONCACAF clubs were invited to participate between 2004 and 2008.

1992: Copa CONMEBOL Created

In 1992, the Copa CONMEBOL was created as an international football tournament for South American clubs that did not qualify for the Copa Libertadores and Supercopa Sudamericana.

1998: Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur Start

In 1998, the Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur tournaments started.

1999: Copa CONMEBOL Discontinued

In 1999, the Copa CONMEBOL was discontinued and replaced by the Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur.

2001: Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur Discontinued

In 2001, the Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur tournaments were discontinued.

2002: Competition Begins

In 2002, the CONMEBOL Sudamericana was introduced, replacing the Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur with a single-elimination tournament.

2002: Copa Sudamericana Introduced

In 2002, the Copa Sudamericana was introduced as a single-elimination tournament, featuring the reigning Copa Mercosur champion, San Lorenzo.

2003: Nissan Motors Sponsorship

In 2003, Nissan Motors became the first major sponsor of the Copa Sudamericana, signing an 8-year contract with CONMEBOL.

2004: CONCACAF Clubs Invited

Between 2004 and 2008, CONCACAF clubs were invited to participate in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana.

2004: Boca Juniors win Copa Sudamericana

In 2004, Boca Juniors were one of the most successful clubs in the competition's history, having won the tournament twice.

2004: Cienciano's trophy

In 2004, Cienciano's conquest of the trophy ignited a party across Peru.

2005: Boca Juniors achieve back-to-back victories

In 2005, Boca Juniors achieved back-to-back victories in the Copa Sudamericana.

2006: Pachuca's Victory

In 2006, the Mexican football federation regarded Pachuca's victory as the most important title won by any Mexican club.

2008: End of CONCACAF invitation

Between 2004 and 2008, CONCACAF clubs were invited to participate in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana.

2014: Most Games Played

As of the end of the 2014 tournament, LDU Quito and São Paulo have played the most games, with 50 each.

2016: Tournament Format in 2016

Until 2016, the tournament comprised 47 teams in a knockout format, with Argentine and Brazilian teams getting byes to the second round and defending champions entering in the round of 16.

2017: Format Changes Implemented

Starting from the 2017 edition, the tournament implemented format changes.

2019: Broadcast Packages Separated

Starting in 2019, the CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana broadcast packages were separated, with DirecTV and DAZN taking over coverage from Fox Sports until 2022.

2021: Competition Format Altered

In the 2021 edition, the competition's format was altered, introducing a group stage replacing the second stage, and granting byes to six qualifiers from Argentina and Brazil.

May 2022: DirecTV Agreement Renewed

On May 12, 2022, CONMEBOL announced the renewal of the agreement with DirecTV for the 2023–2026 cycle.

2023: Prize Money for Clubs

For the 2023 Copa Sudamericana, clubs playing their first stage match at home receive US$225,000, while teams that play their first stage match away receive US$250,000, with additional amounts awarded for advancing through various stages.

2023: Broadcasting Rights Awarded

In 2023, broadcasting rights for Brazil were awarded to SBT, ESPN, and Paramount, with OneFootball getting rights for highlights in Brazil and the rest of Latin America.

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