History of Copa Sudamericana in Timeline

The Copa Sudamericana, organized by CONMEBOL since 2002, is South America's second-most prestigious club football competition. It replaced Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur. From 2004 to 2008, CONCACAF clubs were invited to participate. The tournament operates as an elimination competition, with the structure and number of participating teams varying each year.

1992: Creation of the Copa CONMEBOL

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: Start of Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur

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

1999: Discontinuation of the Copa CONMEBOL

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

2001: Discontinuation of Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur

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

2002: Inauguration of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana

In 2002, the CONMEBOL Sudamericana was inaugurated as an annual international club football competition organized by CONMEBOL, replacing the Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur with a single-elimination tournament.

2003: Nissan Motors sponsors Copa Sudamericana

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

2004: Boca Juniors wins Copa Sudamericana

In 2004, Boca Juniors won the Copa Sudamericana, marking one of their two victories in the tournament's history.

2004: CONCACAF clubs invited

In 2004, CONCACAF clubs were invited to participate in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana.

2004: Cienciano's victory

In 2004, Cienciano's conquest of the Copa Sudamericana trophy sparked celebrations across Peru.

2005: Boca Juniors wins Copa Sudamericana

In 2005, Boca Juniors secured their second consecutive Copa Sudamericana title, being the only team to achieve back-to-back victories.

2006: Pachuca's victory

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

2008: End of CONCACAF Invitation

In 2008, the invitation of CONCACAF clubs to the CONMEBOL Sudamericana was discontinued.

2014: LDU Quito and Sao Paulo played most games

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

2016: Tournament format until 2016

Until 2016, the Copa Sudamericana tournament comprised 47 teams in a knockout format, with Argentine and Brazilian teams receiving byes to the second round.

2017: Implementation of Format Changes

In 2017, the Copa Sudamericana tournament implemented changes to its format.

2019: New broadcast packages

In 2019, the CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana broadcast packages were separated. DirecTV took over the Copa and Recopa Sudamericana coverage from Fox Sports in a deal until 2022.

2021: Format Alterations for the 2021 Edition

In 2021, the Copa Sudamericana format was altered to include a group stage replacing the second stage. Six qualifiers from Argentina and Brazil were given byes to that stage.

May 2022: DirecTV agreement renewal

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

2023: Prizes for clubs participating in the 2023 Copa Sudamericana

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. Clubs qualifying for the group stage are awarded US$900,000, earning US$100,000 per match won in that stage. Additional amounts are awarded for reaching later stages of the competition, with the winners receiving US$5,000,000.

2023: Awarding the rights for broadcast in Brazil

In 2023, the rights for broadcast in Brazil were awarded to SBT, ESPN, and Paramount. OneFootball was awarded rights to broadcast highlights in Brazil as well as the rest of Latin America.