Copa Sudamericana vs Libertadores difference 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 comment goal.

Facts

• Is Copa Libertadores the same as Copa America? No, Copa Libertadores is the top-tier competition, and Sudamericana is the second-tier club competition in South America.
• Who qualifies for the Copa Sudamericana? Teams placed outside the top five in Argentina and Brazil qualify. Other nations, national cup winners, or groups outside the top four qualifiers for the Copa Sudamericana
• Who won most Copa Libertadores? Independiente and Boca Juniors are the two most successful teams, with seven and six titles.

The competitions are comparable to the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League in Europe.

Read: Premier League vs Champions League: Which is better and teams should prioritise?

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 difference

Sudamericana

Region: South America

Confederation: CONMEBOL

The Copa Sudamericana, or simply CONMEBOL Sudamericana, is an annual international club soccer competition organized 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.

Copa Sudamericana’s participating countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Format – Teams quality based on country coefficient.

Teams 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 in Competition history.

Read: UEFA Europa League vs Conference League: difference explained

Copa Libertadores

Region: South America

Confederation: CONMEBOL

The CONMEBOL Libertadores, or Copa Libertadores, is an annual international club soccer competition organized by CONMEBOL for soccer teams in South America. 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 world’s most prestigious club soccer competition. 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.

Read: EFL Cup vs FA Cup: Comparing the two trophies

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 price. Some of the big sides to watch every season includes River Plate, Boca Juniors, Peñarol, Olimpia, Atlético National, Colo-Colo, Independiente, São Paulo, Palmeiras, etc.