CONMEBOL ensures top-quality playing conditions for Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium

In the lead-up to the Copa America final on July 14, South American soccer's governing body, CONMEBOL, has assured that the playing surface at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami will be in excellent condition. This announcement comes after complaints during the group stage about the grass quality at other tournament venues. The grass surface at the stadium, home to the NFL's Dolphins in Miami Gardens, was removed for a concert on July 6 and will be replaced with a new surface starting on July 8, expected to be ready four days before the final. Maristela Kuhn, an agricultural engineer and coordinator of the Copa America 2024 grass project, expressed hope that the new surface will meet expectations. Despite concerns raised by teams like Argentina and Canada about the grass appearance at certain stadiums, CONMEBOL officials clarified that the issues were mainly aesthetic and did not affect the playing conditions. Miami's Hard Rock Stadium is the only venue undergoing changes to its grass, with renovations planned for other stadiums hosting the 2026 World Cup to accommodate larger fields. Following recent matches, players like Vinícius Júnior of Brazil highlighted the challenges posed by varying pitch conditions during the Copa America. Despite complaints about the visual appearance of the grass at some venues, officials emphasized that there were no significant differences in the playing surface's level. The tournament has seen high attendance numbers, with the most-attended game being Argentina's clash against Chile, drawing over 81,000 spectators at MetLife Stadium, a 2026 World Cup final site. Forty percent of group stage games were sellouts, indicating strong interest and support for the competition.