Hard Rock Stadium unveils World Cup security plan after Copa América chaos
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Fans fall over a security barrier at Hard Rock Stadium ahead of the 2024 Copa América final. Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Hard Rock Stadium is beefing up security for the FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup after a mob of fans breached the stadium during last year's Copa América final.
Why it matters: Before Hard Rock hosts the World Cup in 2026, the stadium's revamped security plan will be put to the test at this month's Club World Cup.
- The club tournament kicks off June 14 with a match between Inter Miami and Egyptian side Al Ahly.
Driving the news: After "unprecedented" fan behavior at the Copa América, Hard Rock Stadium and the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office will set up three checkpoints enclosing the stadium campus for the upcoming tournaments, a sheriff's office spokesperson tells Axios.
- Ticket screening will take place at each checkpoint, and there will be a "significant law enforcement and security footprint in and around the stadium," the spokesperson says.
- "A stronger screening process will be implemented along the exterior gates to manage the crowd, ensure public safety, and hinder those without valid tickets from entering the campus."
Catch up quick: Thousands of unticketed fans broke through security barriers last year to watch the Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia.
- The security breach led organizers to delay the match by an hour and 20 minutes.
- In an effort to avoid potentially deadly stampedes, the stadium gates were eventually opened to both ticket holders and unticketed fans.
- As a result, some ticket holders who paid thousands to see the match were not allowed in, leading to lawsuits against Hard Rock and tournament organizer CONMEBOL.
Friction point: Unauthorized access to the stadium campus was a concern flagged by Miami-Dade police in an after-action report obtained by Axios.
- Because there were no activations in the parking lot that would extend the security perimeter away from the stadium, unticketed fans were allowed to access the parking lot before the match, according to the report.
- "[Hard Rock Stadium] staff must consider extending its security perimeter and enact external checkpoints during high profile events," the report recommended.
- The police department also recommended that the stadium better utilize exterior speakers to communicate with large crowds.
Yes, but: The report acknowledged that police did not anticipate a mob of fans rushing the gates.
- "Had this information been known, our plan would have been modified for this contingency, resulting in a better outcome."
- The report recommended that detectives with the county's Homeland Security Bureau be more strategically deployed ahead of major events to gather intelligence.
The other side: Hard Rock Stadium — which employed a multilayered security plan for Taylor Swift concerts last fall — has said it followed or exceeded safety recommendations from CONMEBOL.
- CONMEBOL pointed the blame at Hard Rock for not implementing its recommendations for the championship match.
A Hard Rock spokesperson told Axios in a statement that officials collaborate with local law enforcement and event organizers to "establish and enforce security protocols based on the unique needs of each event."
- "For FIFA Club World Cup 2025, fans should expect to pass through multiple security and ticket check points in order to enter Hard Rock Stadium," the statement said.
- "All fans will also have their tickets scanned as they enter the property. Ensuring fan safety continues to be the highest priority for all stadium events."