# 2026 South American football finals venues

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-south-american-football-finals-venues
> Updated: 2026-08-05T18:20:55.000Z. Sources: 115. Developments: 2.

In August 2026, the Argentine Liga Profesional de Fútbol confirmed Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona in La Plata as the neutral venue for the Torneo Clausura final and the linked Trofeo de Campeones, tying the domestic title to a Copa Libertadores spot. A CONMEBOL delegation later inspected the expansion of Barranquilla’s Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, slated to hold about 65,000 spectators for the Copa Sudamericana final on 21 November 2026.

The Argentine Football Association formally established 15 July as Día de las Selecciones Nacionales, a national holiday honoring the senior team’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final victory over England. The holiday, approved by the AFA executive committee chaired by Claudio Tapia, will be observed annually and sparked FIFA disciplinary proceedings after a “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” banner was displayed. 

Regarding club transfers, River Plate completed a record-breaking acquisition of midfielder Thiago Almada from Atlético Madrid. The deal, valued at approximately €20 million, secured 50% of the player's economic rights and included a €40 million buy-back clause for Atlético. Almada, a 25-year-old World Cup champion, signed a contract through December 31, 2030, to bolster coach Eduardo Coudet’s squad following recent struggles in the Torneo Clausura and Copa Argentina. During his presentation at the Estadio Monumental, Almada stated, “I am very happy to be here. I am fulfilling a dream of playing in a club like River Plate.”

The stadium expansion in Barranquilla, which began on 23 July, is on schedule to raise capacity from 43,000 to 65,000 seats. The Torneo Clausura final is scheduled for 12 December at the Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona, with the Trofeo de Campeones following on 19 December at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba.

## Claims

- The final of the Torneo Clausura 2026 will be played on Saturday 12 December 2026 at Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona in La Plata. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The winner of the Clausura will earn a place in the 2027 Copa Libertadores. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The Trofeo de Campeones 2026 will be played on Saturday 19 December 2026 at Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The Trofeo de Campeones will pit Belgrano de Córdoba against the Clausura winner. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The final will be a single match on neutral ground. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- River Plate agreed to pay approximately €20 million for 50 % of Thiago Almada's economic rights. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- River Plate agreed to sign Thiago Almada from Atlético Madrid for about €20‑23 million. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The €20 million fee makes the transfer the most expensive in Argentine football history. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Belgrano de Córdoba, as Apertura champion, will host the Trofeo de Campeones. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- AFA established 15 July as the Día de las Selecciones Nacionales of Football. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-05: Barranquilla stadium expansion readied for 2026 Copa Sudamericana final

CONMEBOL inspected the expansion of Barranquilla’s Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, boosting capacity to 65,000 ahead of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana final on 21 Nov.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barranquilla-stadium-expansion-readied-for-2026-copa-sudamericana-final

### 2026-08-05: River Plate completes record‑breaking €20 million transfer for Thiago Almada

River Plate signed Thiago Almada from Atlético Madrid for about €20 million, the costliest deal in Argentine football, outbidding Flamengo and including a €40 million buy‑back clause.

112 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/regatas-aims-to-stay-in-contention-as-ahl-clausura-third-round-kicks-off

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Cite as: 2026 South American football finals venues. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-south-american-football-finals-venues