Copa América Aftermath: This Is Why Miami Can't Have Nice Things

Hard Rock Stadium was left looking like a tornado tore through it after the Copa América Final.

July 15, 2024

Fans ripped open a giant bag of popcorn and littered the Hard Rock Stadium concourse with kernels on July 14, 2024, during the Copa América Final. Screenshot via X

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Shocking videos and images of ticketless fans storming the gates at Hard Rock Stadium for the Copa América Final on Sunday have spread around the world.

The game was delayed as fans overpowered security guards, climbed fences, and destroyed escalators. People were crushed against barriers — even a small Shih Tzu was caught in the madness.

With the stadium over capacity, filled with spectators without tickets during the mayhem, some fans who had paid thousands of dollars were denied entry.

Here is what Hard Rock Stadium looked like following last night's chaos and Argentina's nail-biting 1-0 win over Colombia.

FIRST LOOK: Exterior debris and damage at Hard Rock Stadium In Miami Florida from last nights Copa America Final. This is in addition to internal stadium damage to escalators, ventilation systems and VIP suites. #CopaAmerica2024 pic.twitter.com/DaQZpJ77gm
— Total Traffic Miami  (@TotalTrafficMIA) July 15, 2024

The escalator at the 72 Club entrance is filled with debris and broken glass. The fans also took down the railings.

The 72 Club entrance at Hard Rock Stadium tonight..

Barbaric and unacceptable! pic.twitter.com/jDl3y3vgAr
— Geo Milian (@GeoMilian) July 15, 2024

The stadium's ventilation ducts were not left unscathed.

More people getting into the game through… what??? The vent??

What is happening in the Copa America Final? pic.twitter.com/QKgkwEmnCW
— Tactical Manager (@ManagerTactical) July 15, 2024

This may not be structural damage, but someone has to sweep up all that popcorn.

¿Por qué? ¿Por qué imbeciles? ¿Por qué hacen esto? pic.twitter.com/8g5bk7JxlH
— Beto Coral (@Betocoralg) July 15, 2024

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Naomi Feinstein is a staff writer of Miami New Times where she primarily focuses on news. Naomi started her career with New Times as an intern from June–August 2019, then worked as a fellow from August 2022 to February 2023 before joining the staff full-time. She graduated from University of Miami where she contributed to the student-run newspaper, The Miami Hurricane. She holds a master’s degree and graduated with honors from the Columbia School of Journalism. In 2021, Naomi was recognized as the College Journalist of the Year from the Society of Professional Journalists of Florida, and she placed second for Best General News Story in the 2021 Pinnacle Awards.

Contact: Naomi Feinstein

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Twitter: @naomifeinstein