Copa Sudamericana Returns to Two-Leg Preliminary Series in 2027

The Copa Sudamericana is set to undergo a significant format change, reverting its preliminary round to a traditional two-leg, home-and-away series starting in 2027. This decision by CONMEBOL's Competition Directorate marks a departure from the single-match elimination system that has been in place for the last four editions. The shift aims to bring back a more familiar structure for clubs participating in the early stages of the continental tournament. Under the previous format, teams from the same country played a single match to advance to the group stage. This system also influenced the economic dynamics, with the home team receiving $225,000 and the visiting team earning $250,000, while only the home team kept matchday revenue. The return to two-legged ties means both teams will have the opportunity to host and play away, altering the sporting and financial aspects of this stage. CONMEBOL has scheduled the preliminary round matches for the weeks of March 3 and 10, 2027, requiring clubs to plan accordingly for a two-game series. This modification represents another evolution in the Copa Sudamericana's format, returning the qualification for the group stage to a 180-minute contest over two matches, replacing the current single-game decider.