Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, to Host 2025 Copa Sudamericana Final

By PPO Abogados

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has officially announced that the final match of the 2025 Copa Sudamericana will take place in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, on Saturday, November 22, 2025. After a successful site inspection, the decision marks the first time this prestigious final—often referred to as "La Gran Conquista" (The Great Conquest)—will be held in this vibrant Bolivian city.

The Copa Sudamericana is South America’s second-most important club football tournament, akin to Europe’s UEFA Europa League. Organized annually by CONMEBOL, it features top-tier teams from across the continent—including clubs from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, and more—who either qualify directly or drop down from the continent’s premier tournament, the Copa Libertadores. Winning the Copa Sudamericana is a prestigious achievement, granting the victor continental glory, a substantial financial reward, and qualification for other international competitions.

Hosting a single-match final of this scale offers enormous economic and cultural value to the host city and country. The event draws international visitors, media, and investment, filling hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions, while showcasing the host location on a global stage. Previous finals have brought tens of thousands of fans and millions in tourism revenue.

Located in eastern Bolivia, Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the country’s most populous city and a thriving economic hub, known for its energy, agriculture, and modern infrastructure. Unlike Bolivia’s high-altitude cities such as La Paz, Santa Cruz lies at a lower elevation and offers a tropical climate. It’s a gateway to the Amazon and a center of innovation and commerce—making it a compelling host for such a high-profile sporting event.

This final also carries special meaning as Bolivia celebrates its Bicentennial of independence in 2025, alongside the 100th anniversary of the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF). These overlapping milestones turn the final into not just a sports event, but a national celebration.

The final will be played at the iconic Estadio Ramón 'Tahuichi' Aguilera, a beloved venue currently undergoing significant renovations to meet international standards. Bolivian President Luis Arce and CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez personally inspected the upgrades, emphasizing the joint commitment to delivering a world-class experience for players and fans alike.

The Bolivian government is investing over 44 million bolivianos (approx. USD 6.3 million) in improvements to the stadium. 

While Bolivia has hosted major international matches in the past—including the 1997 Copa América, and the 2004 Copa Sudamericana final in La Paz—this is the first time Santa Cruz de la Sierra will be at the heart of the continent’s football celebration. In 2004, Bolivian side Bolívar faced Argentina’s Boca Juniors in a memorable final that still lives on in local football folklore.