Copa Libertadores 2023: why is the final played at Maracana stadium?

All eyes around the world next Saturday will be firmly fixed on Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium as the iconic ground hosts the 2023 Copa Libertadores final between Fluminense and Boca Juniors. The Brazilian team will have a slight advantage of playing at home against the Argentinian side looking to secure their seventh title, with a win set to see the Xeneizes draw level with Independiente who hold the overall record with seven Libertadores triumphs.

El Tricolor from Rio are looking for their first ever title having only progressed to this stage once in their history ending up with a runners up medal after losing to LDU Quito in the 20028 final.

Whist the Argentines come into the game as slight favourites, the heavy weight of expectation will also play on the minds of the blue and gold clad players as they take to the pitch on Saturday with more than 100,000 Boca supporters expected to descend on the Brazilian city ahead of the final and many younger fans not around when the club last lifted the title in 2007.

The build-up to the showpiece final has sadly been overshadowed by outbreaks of violence with Boca supporters coming under attack from local Flu`fans with the Boca ‘barra’ (hardcore ultra style group) promising to avenge the attacks and with Vasco da Gama’s hardcore apparently set to offer their support to the Argentine fans.

Copa Libertadores final venues

Violent scenes as were witnessed in the Argentine capital ahead of the River-Boca second leg in 2018 were one of the factors that prompted CONMEBOL to decree that, as of the 2019 season, the final would be a one off game (as opposed to a two legged affair) at a neutral final venue that would be established ahead of the tournament.

With the new one game final format, CONMEBOL now selects the venue for the final games of both Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana finals in advance of the tournaments after studying various levels of criteria for each host city and stadium...capacity, infrastructure, accomodation.

Boca Juniors

• Argentina

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Fluminense

• Brasil

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