A continental club competition
The Copa Sudamericana is an international football tournament for clubs in South America, organized by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). Founded in 2002, it is regarded as the organization’s second most important club competition, after the Copa Libertadores.
It is an annual continental contest whose teams qualify through the criteria set by their national associations. The number of participants and the regulations can vary by edition, so no single format describes every season.
Format and connection to the Libertadores
Recent editions have combined a group stage with knockout rounds, although the number of stages and allocation of places can change. For example, 56 teams took part in the 2025 edition. The Sudamericana is separate from the Libertadores, but both competitions are part of CONMEBOL’s continental calendar.
The winner qualifies for the following edition of the Libertadores and plays the Recopa Sudamericana against the Libertadores champion. These pathways give the Sudamericana a distinct role in the calendar: it awards a title and can also lead to other continental competitions.
Origins and historical context
The Sudamericana began in 2002, replacing the Copa Mercosur and Copa Merconorte. Those tournaments were part of a longer history of secondary South American competitions, including the Copa CONMEBOL. The new tournament thus brought together elements of competitions that were no longer being held.
In the 2025 edition, Lanús won the title for the second time, beating Atlético Mineiro on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation and extra time. The final shows how a knockout tie can be decided, but the broader point remains: the Sudamericana is a club competition organized by CONMEBOL, with a format that has changed over time.