Find out the Copa Sudamericana vs. Libertadores comparison and the difference between the two competitions.
Copa Sudamericana vs. Libertadores: differences as we explain the main similarities between the top two South American club competitions.
Copa Sudamericana and Copa Libertadores are the top two most prestigious international club soccer competitions in South America.
Copa Sudamericana is South America’s second-tier soccer competition, and the Copa Libertadores is the number one club competition in South America. The two club soccer competitions bring some of the biggest clubs on the continent together with a fight for a common goal.
The competitions are comparable to the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League in Europe.
Outside Europe, where the Champions League and Europa League remain the most followed, the Sudamericana and the Libertadores are the next big competitions worldwide.
Copa Sudamericana vs Copa Libertadores: differences
Sudamericana
Region: South America
Confederation: CONMEBOL
The Copa Sudamericana, or simply CONMEBOL Sudamericana, is an annual international club soccer competition organised by CONMEBOL for South American teams.
Copa Sudamericana was established in 2002 as a replacement for Copa Merconor, and it is the second-most prestigious club competition in South American soccer.
The participating countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Format
Teams quality based on the country coefficient. They would begin from the qualifying rounds before draws would be made for the group stages properly, followed by two-legged fixtures in the knockout stages.
Most Champions—Two teams from Argentina (Boca Juniors and Independiente) are the most successful teams in competition history.
Copa Libertadores
Region: South America
Confederation: CONMEBOL
The CONMEBOL Libertadores, or simply Copa Libertadores, is an annual international club soccer competition organised by CONMEBOL for soccer teams in South America.
The competition was founded in 1960. The Copa Libertadores is the highest level of professional soccer in South America, contested by teams from CONMEBOL member nations.
The competition is comparable to the UEFA Champions League. Behind the UEFA Champions League, the Copa Libertadores is the second most prestigious club soccer competition in the world.
Since its establishment, the league has drawn a large audience worldwide, including Europeans that would love to focus on the soccer scene in Latin America.
Format
Teams would go through stages before reaching the group stages proper, including the first and third stages. The group stage proper commences after complete draws have been made for participating or qualified clubs for the season.
Most Champions—Teams from Argentina dominate the Copa Libertadores with more titles, followed by Brazil. Two teams from Argentina (Independiente and Boca Juniors) are the two most successful teams in the competition’s history, with seven and six titles.
Teams – Copa Libertadores participating countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Copa Libertadores vs. Copa Sudamericana Competition
The Copa Libertadores has a decisive edge over the Sudamericana in terms of competition. More teams from the continent’s most significant leagues participate in clinching the top prize.
Some of the big sides to watch every season include River Plate, Boca Juniors, Peñarol, Olimpia, Atlético Nacional, Colo-Colo, Independiente, São Paulo, Palmeiras, etc.