The Copa America title match was delayed on Sunday near Miami due to crowd control issues.
According to NBC, ticketed fans were shut out from the Hard Rock Stadium prior to the start of the game. Social media videos showed fans jumping over security railings and running past police officers and stadium attendants. Law enforcement were able to push the crowd behind the gates and lock down the entrance so no one could get inside, despite having tickets. Despite angry fans, officials were able to open gates slightly, allowing a handful of fans in at a time, NBC reports.
BREAKING: The gates at Hard Rock Stadium have been breached and scores of fans have begun streaming in for the 2024 #CopaAmerica final. Police are scrambling to try and stem the flow of people. pic.twitter.com/fkoMMYGk8K
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 14, 2024
Statement from a Hard Rock Stadium Spokesperson pic.twitter.com/fWFDq7ggS8
— Hard Rock Stadium (@HardRockStadium) July 14, 2024
Ticket-holding fans could enter the facility an hour before the set kickoff time at 9:15 p.m. According to NBC, spectators broke through security railings and would run in multiple directions, while other fans started climbing over fences. Officials tried to close and re-open gates strategically to better control the crowd, but many tickets were left unscanned, suggesting that fans without tickets could access seats. Once the stadium reached capacity, doors were closed to keep fans out, even those with tickets.
— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) July 14, 2024
The hard Rock Stadium is slated as one of the 11 U.S. stadiums to be used for the 2026 World Cup, leaving many to question if the facility is equipped to handle such an event.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has ordered a review of Sunday night’s events and plans on using the results as a learning opportunity as the city prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
More than an hour after the game was first slated to start, Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0.
Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor for the facilities market.
