The 2027 Copa Sudamericana is shaping up as clubs lock in their spots. Six sides already hold fixed slots for the draw, while another 25 have qualified but could shift to the Libertadores if they earn a berth domestically.
Which clubs have already qualified for the 2026 Copa Sudamericana?
Among them are Libertad and Guayaquil City from Ecuador, plus four Venezuelan representatives. Below are the teams and their assigned slots:
- Ecuador 3: Libertad.
- Also Ecuador 4: Guayaquil City.
- Venezuela 1: Academia Puerto Cabello.
- Second Venezuela 2: Portuguesa.
- Third Venezuela 3: Universidad Central.
- Fourth Venezuela 4: Estudiantes de Mérida.
A further 25 clubs have secured a place in the Sudamericana, yet they still might leap to the Libertadores. Consequently, their exact draw position hinges on the outcomes of their national leagues.
Qualified Sudamericana teams that could still reach the Libertadores
- Argentina: Independiente Rivadavia, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, Vélez Sarsfield, River Plate, Instituto and Lanús.
- Brazil: Cruzeiro and Fluminense.
- Chile: Universidad de Chile and Universidad Católica.
- Ecuador: Liga de Quito, Aucas and Barcelona.
- Paraguay: Nacional, Sportivo Trinidense, Cerro Porteño and Libertad.
- Peru: Melgar and Deportivo Garcilaso.
- Uruguay: Peñarol, Racing, Montevideo City Torque, Deportivo Maldonado, Nacional and Liverpool. Will Uruguay’s squad surprise us in the group stage?
How will the first stage of the 2027 Copa Sudamericana be contested?
The opening round will pit clubs against domestic rivals, except for Brazil and Argentina. Those ties will decide who reaches the group stage, and—crucially—the fixtures will be played over two legs instead of a single match. In my view, the two‑leg format adds excitement and fairness.
For the draw, teams occupying slots 1 and 2 in each country will host the first leg at home, while those in positions 3 and 4 will travel for the return fixture.
When and where will the 2027 Copa Sudamericana final be played?
The tournament runs from March 2 to November 20, 2027. The championship will be decided in a single final held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.