The Copa América 2024 final between Argentina and Colombia was delayed for over an hour after fans breached security gates at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on Sunday, July 14th. The game was supposed to start at 8 ET but didn’t get underway until past 9:20 ET. The stadium is set to be one of the host sites for the 2026 World Cup.
Videos on social media showed fans jumping over security railings and running past police officers and stadium attendants before the game even began. This led to the delays as officers tried to bring order to the stadium.
There were others jumping over fencing and walls.
And some were even trying to get into the stadium through the ventilation system.
Eventually, social media reported the doors were just opened, and people just walked in, ticket or no ticket. Many also shared that prohibited items like alcohol bottles made it in the stadium because of the lack of security.
Tickets were also allegedly not being enforced, and security did not check whether attendants were carrying weapons of any kind.
Miami-Dade County’s police department issued a statement on X regarding the incidents, which said: “These incidents have been a result of the unruly behavior of fans trying to access the stadium-”
“We are asking everyone to be patient and abide by the rules set by our officers and Hard Rock Stadium personnel. We are actively working with Hard Rock Stadium to ensure a safe environment for all those attending. Unruly behavior will get you ejected and/or arrested.”