Hundreds of Colombian fans breached the gates at Hard Rock Stadium and many other spectators were nearly crushed in a chaotic scene before Sunday’s Copa America Final against Argentina. As a result, organizers pushed the 8pm kickoff back more than an hour and at one point began allowing in all fans without checking tickets. 

Scores of fans in yellow Colombian jerseys were seen forcing open iron gates and running onto the stadium grounds as an increased security presence caused massive delays for attendees. Later, many spectators were seen standing in the aisles before the game as the massive crowd appeared to outnumber the available seats at Hard Rock Stadium. 

A day earlier, organizers told fans not to travel to Hard Rock Stadium unless they had a ticket, but amid Sunday’s pandemonium, at least two reporters said security abandoned any attempt to check tickets. 

Instead, stadium officials made an announcement instructing anyone without a ticket to exit immediately: ‘All fans without tickets MUST leave the Hard Rock Stadium premises. It is paramount to a successful and most importantly a safe match.’

Around a dozen people have been arrested and another seven were seen receiving medical treatment from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, USA Today reported. In one violent incident, a man wearing what appeared to be a reporter’s credential walked through the media entrance, only to be tackled and handcuffed by officers. 

Police detain a fan of Colombia during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match

Police officers try to arrest a Colombian fan outside the stadium before Sunday’s final 

A police officer carries an unconscious fan at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami 

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Miami-Dade police told ESPN that the stadium’s southwest gate had been breached, prompting officers to completely shut it down. Later, in a statement, police said they will have a ‘ZERO TOLERANCE’ policy for any unruly behavior. 

‘We have had several incidents prior to the gates opening at Hard Rock Stadium for the COPA America final game,’ read a police statement. ‘These incidents have been a result of the unruly behavior of fans trying to access the stadium. We are asking everyone to be patient, and abide by the rules set by our officers and Hard Rock Stadium personnel.’ 

The situation was eerily similar to the 2020 Euro final at Wembley in 2021, when hundreds of English fans stormed the gates and were able to force their way into the stadium.  

Sunday’s highly anticipated final featuring Argentina’s Lionel Messi is a sellout, meaning no fewer than 65,000 ticket holders and other fans were baking in the 90-degree heat for hours before kickoff. At one point, organizers rolled a canopy out over the heads of some fans who were waiting to enter. Others who became overwhelmed by the heat were seen receiving water.

‘It was crazy, people were just trying to get in like crazy,’ David Fernandez, a Colombia fan from Florida, told the AFP. 

‘They just didn’t want to wait. They were just rushing over and running over. They’ve opened the gates three different times — it was good for two or three minutes and then everybody was just rushing.’ 

Many fans were overwhelmed by the crowds and required emergency medical treatment 

Fans forced the front gates open before pouring onto the Hard Rock Stadium grounds

Police are seen allowing some Argentinian fans to enter as other spectators wait to get in 

Fans try to enter the stadium amid disturbances prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America final

Police agents patrol as fans waiting to enter at stadium prior to the Copa America final

Hard Rock Stadium officials instructed fans without tickets to leave the grounds immediately

Another fan, Rosey Riales, told the AFP that the masses had grown impatient waiting for the gates to open. 

‘People are just riled up and excited, so they’re pushing and it’s like mayhem,’ she told AFP. ‘They should have opened the gates sooner to let people in slowly.’ 

There was supposed to be heightened security at Sunday’s match following the post-game brawl that marred Colombia’s semifinal win over Uruguay in Charlotte. Several players rushed into the stands to brawl with Colombian fans, who were accused of harassing team members’ families during Uruguay’s 1-0 defeat. 

That heightened security led to long lines and masses of people crowding the southwest gate of the stadium. People struggled to move through the crowds as only a few people were let in at a time.

Near the press entrance, a push of people led to one woman requesting medical attention. One police officer was seen drawing his baton but did not use it.

A fan of Argentina is injured amid disturbances prior to the Copa America Final

Police detain fan of Argentina prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match

The crowd remained sparse for hours as heightened security slowed fan arrivals in Miami 

Fans scan Ticketmaster tickets before the Copa Final between Argentina and Colombia

Organizers ultimately were forced to delay kickoff indefinitely as police struggled to gain control of the situation.  

‘In anticipation of tonight’s Copa America Final, thousands of fans without tickets attempted to forcibly enter the stadium, putting other fans, security and law enforcement officers at extreme risk,’ read a statement from stadium officials. ‘Security has shut the gates in order to control the entry process at a much slower rate and ensure everyone is kept safe.

‘As a result, tonight’s match start time has been delayed until further notice to accommodate for ticketed fans to be able to safely enter the stadium.

‘All fans without tickets MUST leave the Hard Rock Stadium premises. It is paramount to a successful and most importantly a safe match.’