Bolivia to Host First Copa Sudamericana Final in Historic 2025 Event

CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez announced on Tuesday that Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, will host the 2025 Copa Sudamericana final.

This marks the first time Bolivia will host a final of an international club competition organized by the South American football governing body. The championship match is scheduled for November 22, 2025, at the Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera Stadium.

This venue, commonly known as “El Tahuichi,” has a capacity of approximately 38,000 spectators and sits at just 416 meters above sea level, making it accessible for players unaccustomed to Bolivia‘s typically high-altitude conditions.

The selection coincides with two significant milestones for the host nation. Bolivia will celebrate its bicentennial of independence and the centenary of the Bolivian Football Federation in 2025.

These dual anniversaries add special significance to the event. Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera Stadium is currently undergoing renovations to prepare for the continental showcase.

The stadium, which opened in 1940, has previously hosted matches during the 1997 Copa América. Local clubs Oriente Petrolero, Blooming, and Royal Pari regularly play their home games at this venue.

2025 Sudamericana Unveils Format with Boosted Payouts

The 2025 tournament will follow the format established in recent years. The top team from each of the eight groups advances directly to the round of 16.

Second-place teams will face third-place finishers from the Copa Libertadores in a playoff round to complete the knockout stage bracket. CONMEBOL has increased the financial incentives for the tournament.

Participating clubs receive $900,000 for reaching the group stage plus $100,000 for each victory. The champion will earn a prize of $6 million, reflecting the growing prestige of South America’s second-tier club competition.

The draw for the round of 16 will take place on June 2, 2025, at CONMEBOL headquarters in Luque, Paraguay. This follows the conclusion of the group stage, which wraps up at the end of May.

Racing Club of Argentina are the defending champions, having defeated Brazil’s Cruzeiro 3-1 in the 2024 final held in Asunción, Paraguay.

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