The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) announced that Barranquilla will host the single-match final of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana, one of the most important football events on the continent. The announcement marks a historic moment for the country, as it will be the first time Colombia hosts a single final of a Conmebol tournament since this format was introduced in 2019. The final will be played on Nov. 21, 2026.
Barranquilla, Colombia, will host the 2026 Copa Sudamericana final for the first time in history
The final will take place at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez, an iconic venue for Colombian football and the regular home of the Colombian national team. With a capacity of more than 46,000 spectators, the Metropolitano was one of the key factors that helped secure the city’s selection as host.
Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez highlighted that Barranquilla meets all the requirements to host an event of this magnitude and praised the energy, hospitality, and footballing tradition that define the city. He also emphasized that this type of event represents an opportunity to strengthen Colombia’s presence on the South American sports calendar.
For his part, Barranquilla’s mayor, Alejandro Char, celebrated the announcement as an achievement for Colombian sports and a boost to the local economy. “Barranquilla is ready to welcome the continent. It will be an unforgettable event,” he said following the official confirmation.
The 2026 Copa Sudamericana final will be the first time the country hosts a single-match Conmebol tournament final, marking a significant step in consolidating Colombia as a venue for major international sporting events.
A strategic decision by Conmebol and an opportunity for the region
Barranquilla’s selection was part of a double announcement: Conmebol confirmed that the 2027 Copa Sudamericana final will take place in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, as part of its strategy to diversify host cities and bring the tournament to new locations with growing infrastructure and football culture.
For Barranquilla, the event represents both challenges and opportunities. In addition to its economic and tourism impact, the final will showcase the city’s organizational capabilities as well as its rich cultural, culinary, and hospitality offerings. The arrival of fans from across the continent is expected, along with sports delegations, international media, and South American football authorities.