Copa América host countries: A list of all the countries that have ever hosted the Copa América

Copa América is one of the oldest continental football tournaments. In 2024, the contenders will gather in cities across the United States for the forty-eighth edition of the competition. This article dives into the history of the games and lists all Copa América host countries.

Which countries have hosted Copa América? At its inception, the South American Championship was held in various member states across Latin America. Sports Brief has combed through details of the tournament's history using credible data from its official website to compile the list of Copa América host countries since 1916.

All Copa América host countries

The first edition of the South American Championship was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, between July 2 and July 17, 1916. Unanticipated attendance records of up to 17,000 necessitated a change of venue after crowds tore down the GEBA stadium main gate to gain access to the final match between Uruguay and Argentina.

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Until 1920, each founding state hosted the competition at least once. Here is a timeline of the history of Copa America's host countries.

How many times has Copa América been held in each country?

Between 1921 and 1967, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela became members of the competition. They later began hosting the games, with Peru becoming the first non-founding nation to host the 1927 Championship.

According to the New York Times, the tournament's organising committee settled on a rotating system for host countries. Have a look at this summary of Copa América host countries and stadiums throughout its history.

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11. Venezuela - 2007

• Winners: Brazil
• Most goals: Robinho (6 goals)
• Venues: Metropolitan Olympic Stadium, Pueblo Nuevo Sports Center, Estadio Metropolitano, Estadio Polideportivo Cachamay, Maturín Monumental Stadium, Olympic stadium "José Antonio Anzoátegui", José Encarnación Romero Stadium, Estadio Agustín Tovar, Estadio Metropolitano de Fútbol de Lara, UCV Olympic Stadium

Venezuela entered the competition in 1967 and hosted its first and only edition in 2007. Ten member states and two invitees competed across nine Venezuelan cities, including Barinas, Caracas, Maturín, Ciudad Guayana, Barquisimeto, Maracaibo, Mérida, Puerto La Cruz, and San Cristóbal.

Estadio Polideportivo Pueblo Nuevo hosted 18,000 fans, the smallest crowd during a Group A match between Uruguay and Bolivia. The largest crowd of 50,000 spectators was recorded during a quarterfinal match between Mexico and Paraguay.

10. Colombia - 2006

• Winners: Colombia
• Most goals: Victor Aristizábal (6 goals)
• Venues: Metropolitan of Barranquilla, Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero, Atanasio Girardot Stadium, Estadio Hernán Ramírez Villegas, Estadio Centenario, Estadio Palogrande, Nemesio Camacho El Campín Stadium

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In 2001, the Colombian national football team made history in its first year hosting the games. The Cafeteros won their first title while maintaining an unbeaten record.

9. Paraguay - 1999

• Winners: Brazil
• Most goals: Ronaldo, Rivaldo (5 goals)
• Venues: Chaco Defenders Stadium, Monumental Río Parapití, Antonio Oddone Sarubbi Stadium, General Pablo Rojas Stadium, Feliciano Cáceres Stadium

Like Colombia and Venezuela, Paraguay has hosted only one tournament edition. The star of the game, Brazil, recorded the longest consecutive wins in 13 matches, leading them to their sixth title.

8. United States - 2016, 2024

• Winners: Chile (2016)
• Most goals: Eduardo Vargas (6 goals)
• Venues (2016): MetLife Stadium, CenturyLink Field, Levi's Stadium, the Rose Bowl, University of Phoenix Stadium, NRG Stadium, the Citrus Bowl, Gillette Stadium, Soldier Field, Lincoln Financial Field, AT&T Stadium, GEHA Field, Bank of America Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, SoFi Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, Allegiant Stadium, State Farm Stadium, Inter&Co Stadium, Q2 Stadium, Children’s Mercy Park

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The Copa América Centenario was held in 10 American cities. Ten member states and six invitees, including the hosts Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, Haiti, and Panama, played the 100th edition of the tournament between June 3 and June 26, 2016.

7. Bolivia - 1963, 1997

• Winners: Bolivia (1963), Brazil (1997)
• Most goals: Raffo, Luis Hernández (6 goals)
• Venues: Hernando Siles Stadium, Estadio Félix Capriles

Bolivia is the second country to host two Copa América competitions. In 1963, the Bolivia national football team won its first and only South American continental championship title at home.

6. Ecuador - 1947, 1959, 1993

• Winners: Argentina (1947, 1993), Brazil (1997)
• Most goals: Norberto Méndez, Alfredo Di Stéfano (6 goals)
• Venues: Estadio George Capwell, Estadio Bellavista, Alejandro Serrano Stadium, 9 de Mayo Stadium, Estadio Reales Tamarindos

In 2022, Ecuador was in the running to host the tournament for the seventh time. In an interview with La Red through El Universo, the Ecuadorian Football Federation president shut down the organiser's aspirations, stating,

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“We can not organise the Copa América. Today, our nation must concentrate its resources on overcoming problems that concern us, which is a priority.”

This decision was linked to the Coronavirus pandemic and other financial complications the nation was facing at the time.

5. Brazil - 1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 2019, 2021

• Winners: Brazil (1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 2019), Argentina (2021)
• Most goals: Bebeto (6 goals)
• Venues: José Díaz National Stadium

Brazil won nine Copa América titles, six of which it hosted. Its iconic stadium, the Maracaná, is regarded as one of the biggest football stadiums in the world. It has hosted up to 69,968 fans.

4. Peru - 1927, 1935, 1939, 1953, 1957, 2004

• Winners: Argentina (1927, 1957), Uruguay (1935), Peru (1939), Paraguay (1953), Brazil (2004)
• Most goals: Adriano, Teodoro Fernández (7 goals)
• Venues: Estadio Nacional José Díaz, Nacional, Estadio Mansiche, Estadio Monumental de la UNSA, Estadio Elías Aguirre, Estadio Miguel Grau, Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega

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The Peruvian national football team won two Copa América titles, including one hosted in 1939. After debuting in 1927, the South American nation participated in 33 tournaments as contenders and six as hosts. The football team recorded 53 wins, 40 draws and 64 losses.

3. Uruguay - 1917, 1923, 1924, 1942, 1956, 1967, 1995

• Winners: Uruguay (1917, 1923, 1924, 1942, 1956, 1967, 1995)
• Most goals: Herminio Masantonio (7 goals)
• Venues: Parque Pereira, Centenario Stadium, Nacional, Estadio El Campín, Campus de Maldonado, Estadio Atilio Paiva Olivera

Uruguay won seven of its fifteen titles at home between 1917 and 1995, making it one of the most prosperous nations on Copa América's host list. La Celeste has recorded over 100 wins, 38 draws, and 56 losses as one of the competition's founding states.

2. Chile - 1920, 1926, 1941, 1945, 1955, 1991, 2015

• Winners: Uruguay (1920, 1926), Argentina (1941, 1945, 1955, 1991), Chile (2015)
• Most goals: Lautaro Arellano (7 goals)
• Venues: National Stadium, Ester Roa Rebolledo Stadium, Estadio Campos de Sports de Ñuñoa

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Chile's hard work paid off the seventh time it hosted the games after claiming the 2015 title. Argentina was one of the biggest winners in the all-against-all tournament, winning four out of seven games hosted by Chile.

1. Argentina - 1916, 1921, 1925, 1929, 1937, 1946, 1959, 1987, 2011

• Winners: Uruguay (1916, 1987, 2011), Argentina (1921, 1925, 1929, 1937, 1946, 1959 )
• Most goals: Manuel Seoane (6 goals)
• Venues: Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, Racing Club de Avellaneda, C. Sportivo Barracas Stadium

Argentina, one of the tournament's founding nations, tops the Copa América host country list. La Albiceleste has held it nine times and won the most titles (15) alongside Uruguay.

Frequently asked questions

Since 1916, the South American Championship has produced the best performances. Here are details of facts about the Copa América hosts.

1. Which country is hosting the 2028 Copa América?

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According to Optus Sport, the 2028 Copa América will be held between June and July 2028. Sources reveal Paraguay will likely host the event.

2. Is the Copa América held every year?

Unlike several major sports competitions, the Copa América is held every four years. It was held every one to two years before shifting to a four-year interval.

Final word

Copa América's host countries share geological proximity and some aspects of culture. The competition's history and continuity keep South America's football tradition alive and healthy.

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