CONMEBOL reveals 14 host cities for 2024 Copa América in its triumphant return to the United States
CONMEBOL reveals 14 US cities selected to host 2024 Copa América, marking a triumphant return of the prestigious tournament to American soil after a gap of 8 years
The 2024 Copa América, which will be held in the United States for the first time since 2016, will be hosted in 14 cities as announced by CONMEBOL, South America's soccer federation. The cities include Las Vegas (NV), Arlington (TX), Charlotte (NC), Orlando (FL), Miami Gardens (FL), Santa Clara (CA), Atlanta (GA), East Rutherford (NJ), Houston (TX), Austin (TX), Inglewood (CA), Glendale (AZ), Kansas City (KS), and Kansas City (MO).
The tournament will kick off at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta United, and the final will be held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This will mark only the second time that the tournament has been hosted outside of South America, with the first being the special centenary Copa América in 2016.
Ecuador was initially chosen to host the tournament, but withdrew in November 2022 citing economic and security concerns, as well as a lack of suitable stadiums. As a result, the US and Peru were the remaining nations willing to host the 2024 edition. In January of this year, CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, jointly selected the US as the host country.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will host the tournament opener.
The US undoubtedly has superior stadium infrastructure compared to any South American nation, but the decision to host the tournament once again in the United States sparked criticism in Latin America.
Ezequiel Fernández Moores reported in Argentine outlet La Nación in February that South America is struggling to organize its historic national team tournament.
CONMEBOL has faced challenges in hosting the last three editions of the Copa América held in South America. In 2015, Brazil was replaced by Chile as the host nation due to the former's hosting of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
Colombia was originally planned to co-host the 2020 edition of the tournament with Argentina, but due to the Covid pandemic, it was postponed for a year. Following protests and high Covid cases, Colombia and Argentina both withdrew as co-hosts, leading to the tournament being moved to Brazil and played without spectators.
The host nation has been changed for the third consecutive edition, with the US taking over organizing duties from Ecuador. Despite this, Fernández Moores questioned why the same level of scrutiny, especially regarding safety, isn't applied to the United States.
Argentina won the postponed 2020 edition of the Copa América, which was moved to Brazil.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
"It doesnt matter that games can be played in California, the State that has just suffered four mass shootings in just 10 days in January," Fernández Moores wrote.
The United States experienced over six hundred mass shootings in 2022, marking the third consecutive year with such high numbers. Just three weeks into 2023, there have already been 39 shootings.
It is inconceivable that CONMEBOL would require the United States to address its epidemic of mass violence, which claims lives in shopping malls, schools, and streets, as a condition for hosting the 2024 Copa América, or for FIFA to do the same for the 2026 World Cup.
Hosting the 2024 Copa America will provide a significant boost for the USA as it prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico. In a nation where soccer often takes a backseat to the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, a successful tournament for the US Mens National Team could greatly increase national interest leading up to 2026.
The 2016 edition was a huge success, setting a record average attendance of 46,000 and becoming the most profitable Copa América yet, according to La Nación. With Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami garnering global attention and increasing ticket sales and attendance, the 2024 Copa América could be a perfect preparation for both organizers and fans.
Host Chile won its first Copa America in 2015 after Brazil was relieved of hosting duties.
Henry Romero/Reuters
Messi's games for Inter Miami have attracted celebrity-packed audiences, and tickets for both home and away matches are highly sought after. However, the club has faced backlash for raising season ticket prices for next year, excluding long-time fans who had supported the team before Messi joined.
It's uncertain if Messi's time in the US will have a lasting impact on soccer's popularity, but as long as there's money to be made while he's in Miami, few may be concerned. However, Messi's arrival hasn't only brought financial gains. With his impressive performances on the field, he has led Inter Miami to its first title in the club's five-year history by helping the team win the Leagues Cup just months after joining.
In 2023, Messi's influence was so significant that TIME named him Athlete of the Year after leading Argentina to a World Cup victory in 2022.
"At 36 years old and two decades into his extraordinary career, Messi has had a unique impact on soccer in America. Attendance, ticket prices, merchandise sales, and viewership all increased significantly as his games took on a sense of a spiritual awakening," Sean Gregory wrote in TIME.
The US is set to host three major international tournaments over the next three years - Copa America in 2024, the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, and the World Cup in 2026. This is sure to attract even more fans, and with Messi as an accelerant, the US is now becoming a soccer nation.
