Is Copa America Too Small For America’s Big Stadiums?

Colombia and Paraguay bring with them the soft air of South America and a match that is decades old. These two teams have faced each other 42 times in the course of three generations. It is a soccer display of two different faces of the same continent: the warm Ocean-faring Colombia against the landlocked Paraguay. Two countries as united in their love for soccer as the rest of South America.

When this match is played on an international tournament level, it becomes historic. As was the case during this Copa America match: a historic moment unfolding in the heart of California. But no matter how historic and important of a moment it was, a half-empty stadium hosted this old face-off.

Despite the big names that an all-American (both South and North) tournament brings to the table, the competition is failing to fill up the stadiums at the group stage.

Photo: @Albirroja | Twitter

Why?

First of all, American crowds have not responded with enthusiasm to international soccer, no matter how important it is or how many notable players are running on the field (James Rodriguez, Ospina and Carlos Bacca just to name a few for Colombia.) On the other side, the enormous American Football stadiums are hard to fill… Especially with tickets starting at around $70. A game like Uruguay versus Venezuela, to be played on June 9th, starts at $65. These prices refer to the uppermost seats in the upper decks, of course.

It is understandable that a game like Colombia-Paraguay is to be a low-key match, especially at this stage. It would then make sense to bring the ticket prices down to encourage local fans and curious people to come check out the Copa America. The sight of empty stadiums at old and traditional games is saddening and might be avoided by lowering the price of the tickets.

For the record: the game had the rhythm and tempo of top-South American soccer. Colombia won 2-1, but Paraguay’s Victor Ayala scored the most beautiful goal of the tournament so far. Many empty seats could have been filled to frame a fun, entertaining match.