SOCCER

Copa Libertadores: Competition Overview

Charlie Zschau Updated: Jun 03 2026 15:34

The Copa Libertadores, formerly known as the CONMEBOL Libertadores, is the premier club competition in South America.

Starting in 1960, the tournament is named in honor of the liberators, the main leaders of the South American wars of independence. A literal translation of of the name is "Liberators of America Cup."

The Copa Libertadores resembles the UEFA Champions League in Europe, but features teams from across South America.

The tournament is typically dominated by teams from Brazil and Argentina, and has been won by Brazilian teams specifically each of the past seven season.

Flamengo won the 2025 Copa Libertadores, their fourth ever title, and third since 2019.

The last Argentinian team to lift the trophy was River Plate in 2018.

Argentina's Club Atletico Independiente have won the most Copa Libertadores trophies in the history of the competition with seven.

How do Teams Qualify for the Copa Libertadores?

Most teams qualify for the Copa Libertadores by winning their domestic leagues, by finishing among the top teams in their league, or by winning a domestic cup the year prior.

Two teams gain automatic qualification for the tournament, from winning the Copa Libertadores or the Copa Sudamericana the prior season.

Qualification by Country

Country	First Stage	Second Stage	Group Stage
Brazil		2	5
Argentina		1	5
Chile		2	2
Colombia		2	2
Bolivia	1	1	2
Ecuador	1	1	2
Paraguay	1	1	2
Peru	1	1	2
Uruguay	1	1	2
Venezuela	1	1	2
Libertadores Winner			1
Sudamericana Winner			1

Copa Libertadores Format

The current format of the Copa Libertadores consists of eight stages, featuring 47 clubs competing over a eight-to-nine month period.

The first, second, third, and final stages of the Copa Libertadores are all two-leg ties, with the higher ranked team hosting the second leg.

First Stage

The first stage features six teams. One from Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Teams are drawn against one other team, and the winners will advance to the second stage.

Second Stage

The three winning teams plus 13 other qualified teams, make a total of 16 teams.

Teams are drawn against one other team, and the eight winners will advance to the third stage.

Third Stage

No new teams enter the competition in the third stage.

The winners from the second stage are drawn against one another, and the winner of that tie will advance to the group stage.

Group Stage

The four winners from the Third Stage join the 24 group stage qualified team makes a total of 28 teams.

The teams are drawn into eight, four-team pots, and each team plays the other three teams home and away.

The eight group winners and the eight group runner-ups will advance to the Final stages of the tournament.

Final Stages

The final stages of the Copa Libertadores are a knockout style tournament, and consist of two-leg ties, with the higher ranked team hosting the second leg.

The Final match is the only game that is not a two-leg tie, and is played in a pre-determined neutral venue.

2026 Copa Libertadores Important Dates

The competition began with 47 teams on February 3rd, and will crown one champion on November 28th, 2026.

15 teams have been eliminated prior to the Group stage draw, which takes place on March 19th.

2026 Copa Libertadores Schedule

Stage	Dates (2026)	Draw Date
First Stage	Feb. 3-12	December 18, 2025
Second Stage	Feb. 17-26
Third Stage	Mar. 3-12
Group Stage	Apr. 7 - May 28	March 19, 2026
Round of 16	Aug. 11-20	June 3, 2026
Quarterfinals	Sept. 8-17
Semifinals	Oct. 13-22
Final	Nov. 28

Where to Watch the 2026 Copa Libertadores

The Copa Libertadores will be streamed primarily on BeIN Sports, and BeIN Sports en Espanol in the United States.

Streaming will also be available on Fanatiz.

Some matches will also be available on bet365's Live Streaming Service for users with a funded account. (Not available in a states)