Copa America prize money: How much do the winners of the competition take home?

Copa America prize money: How much do the winners of the competition take home?

Kevin Omuya
June 19, 2024 at 2:12 PM
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CONMEBOL Copa America logo
CONMEBOL Copa America
Americas
Argentina logo
Argentina
Argentina
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Brazil logo
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Uruguay
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South America's best football tournament, the Copa America, offers significant cash rewards, fame, and bragging rights. Find out more about the Copa America prize money in this piece, which shows how much the winners get.

Copa America
Lionel Messi of Argentina fights for the ball with Casemiro (in yellow) of Brazil on July 10, 2021 (R). The Copa America trophy on May 7, 2019 (L). Photo: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Source: UGC

Table of Сontents:

Now that the next Copa America event is almost here, 16 teams are getting ready to compete for one of the oldest soccer trophies in the world. After winning the tournament in 2021, Argentina will try to defend its title against the other CONMEBOL and CONCACAF teams, and the United States will host the tournament.

Copa America prize money

Not only has the game and number of players changed significantly since its start in 1916, but so have the financial stakes. At first, the prize money was not very big because the tournament was primarily intended for people in the area and wasn't very commercially appealing.

However, the event's financial benefits grew along with football's popularity worldwide. Below is the breakdown of Copa America prize money in 2024.

Copa America prize money breakdown

Stage

Prize money

Quarterfinals

$2 million

Fourth place

$4 million

Third place

$5 million

Runners-up

$7 million

Winner

$16 million

A record $72 million entry fee and prize money will be awarded to the 2024 tournament's participants. In the United States, 32 teams will play 16 games from June 21 to July 15 (AEST) for a valuable trophy.

Copa America winners
Argentina's Lionel Messi holds the trophy as he celebrates on the podium with teammates after winning the Conmebol 2021 Copa America football tournament on July 10, 2021. Photo: Carl De Souza
Source: Getty Images

Each team will get $2 million to play in the event, which both CONMEBOL and CONCACAF are putting on. The other $40 million will be prize money. The prize money is more than twice as much as the $19.5 million given to the winners in 2021 when Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in the final and won $6.5 million.

Teams that lose in the quarterfinals will each receive an extra $2 million in prize money. The fourth-place team will receive $4 million, the third-place team $5 million, and the second-place team $7 million. The Copa America winner's prize money will receive $16 million.

The USA will host 14 host cities, and the event will pay for the teams' hotels, flights, and ground transportation. This is the second time that the country has held the tournament. In 2016, it hosted the Copa America Centenario.

Comparison with other major tournaments

If not significantly lower, prize money at the tournament is comparable to other big international competitions. Since the FIFA World Cup is held worldwide and generates a lot of money for businesses, the winners get a lot more money.

Neymar receives medal as runners up in Copa America
Neymar Jr. of Brazil takes off his second-place medal after the final of Copa America Brazil 2021 between Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium on July 10, 2021. Photo: Buda Mendes
Source: Getty Images

Impact on participating nations

The significance of the prize cannot be overstated for the competing nations. The tournament's financial benefits are a lifeline for many South American football associations, helping to finance grassroots programs and professional league development. Winners and top teams can reinvest the significant money granted to them into the sport, which will help it develop and improve its infrastructure.

The prize money for the Copa America is projected to continue increasing. Sponsorship deals, TV rights, and high global viewership drive the tournament's commercial success, which means the financial rewards will also expand. This pattern coincides with the rising global demand for football and the rising star power of South American football.

Frequently asked questions

Copa America
Gonzalo Higuain (L) of Argentina with the ball against Arturo Vidal (R) of Chile on June 26, 2016. Photo: Stringer
Source: Getty Images

Although July 14 will only crown a single victor, the best teams competing in the tournament will take home substantial cash prizes. Here are answers to the frequently asked questions about the prize money for Copa America.

When does the Copa América begin?

On June 20, Jesse Marsch's Canada will face Argentina in the opening match of the continental competition. Before the grand final on July 7, scheduled at 8 PM local time at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, there will be nonstop action (which can be followed on AS USA, shameless advertisement).

How much has Argentina won the Copa America?

Uruguay and Argentina are tied for the most championships won, with 15 titles. Brazil is the third most prosperous nation, with nine cup victories. Argentina was the host nation for the inaugural match, which Uruguay won.

Which team is the most successful at Copa America?

Copa America winners
Team of Uruguay during the 2011 Copa America soccer match, as part of the semifinal at the Ciudad de La Plata stadium on July 19, 2011, in La Plata, Argentina. Photo: Valentino Rossi
Source: Getty Images

Argentina and Uruguay have won 15 Copa America championships apiece, while Brazil, another South American powerhouse and winner of five FIFA World Cups, comes in second with nine.

Which country has won the most Copa America?

Regarding the competition, Uruguay should never be disregarded. They have 21 final appearances, a record, and a share of the record for most wins (15).

Is the prize money the same for both men's and women's Copa America tournaments?

The prize pools for men's and women's competitions have always been different. Nonetheless, proposals to equalize prize money have been made to advance gender parity in athletics.

What factors contribute to the amount of prize money in Copa America?

Revenue from sponsorship deals, television rights, ticket sales, and the event's general commercial success are some variables that contribute to the tournament's prize.

Final word

The prize is a significant feature of the competition, which provides top teams and winners with substantial financial benefits. Every country is playing for a shot at the $10 million that will be up for grabs in 2021 if Argentina wins. Copa America prize money is expected to rise in line with its increasing commercial appeal and global viewing, elevating the competition's stature and impact on South American football.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.