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Libertadores final 2026 in Montevideo: a fan's guide
The 2026 Copa Libertadores final will be played on Saturday 28 November at the Estadio Centenario (Centenary Stadium) in Montevideo, as a single match. If you are thinking of travelling, this guide will help you get organised, even if you do not yet know who you will be cheering for.
Who could be playing
At the start of October, four teams are still in the running, and three of them are Brazilian. The semi-finals are:
- Fluminense v Palmeiras: first leg on 14 October at the Maracanã (Maracanã Stadium) and second leg on 21 October in São Paulo.
- Estudiantes de La Plata v Flamengo: first leg on 15 October and second leg on 22 October at the Maracanã.
After 22 October we will update this article with the two finalists. In the meantime, something to dream about: Palmeiras and Flamengo have already played a final at the Centenario, in 2021, which Palmeiras won 2-1 in extra time.
A detail from that 2021 final
The winning goal was scored by Deyverson, after Andreas Pereira, Flamengo's midfielder, lost the ball in his own half early in extra time. The story then took a twist no screenwriter would dare to write: in 2025, Andreas Pereira signed for Palmeiras. If the final is repeated, he knows which side of the Centenario he had better be on.
Getting to Montevideo
From Buenos Aires, the classic option is to cross the Río de la Plata by boat. There are direct ferries from Buenos Aires to Montevideo and also to Colonia del Sacramento, from where you continue by coach. For a final, it pays to book well ahead.
By air, from Argentina or Brazil, you arrive at Carrasco International Airport, the country's main airport. It is in the department of Canelones, about 20 kilometres from central Montevideo.
Could you find the Centenario, the Maracanã and other grounds on a map with no names? Try it for free on GeoFútbol (in Spanish or Portuguese).
Getting to the Centenario
The stadium is in Parque Batlle, a few minutes from the centre by taxi, ride-hailing app or bus. We tell the full story of the ground, its stands and the Torre de los Homenajes in our Estadio Centenario guide. On the day of the final there are usually special traffic and security arrangements, so set off well in advance and follow official instructions. The finalist clubs usually tell their fans where to meet; check their channels.
Tickets: official channels only
Tickets are sold through the official channels of CONMEBOL and the finalist clubs. Be wary of resales on social media, of offers that look too good to be true and of anyone who asks you to pay by bank transfer before showing you anything. Sale dates, prices and kick-off time: always check them on the official CONMEBOL website.
Montevideo in a day
Ciudad Vieja. The old town is easy to explore on foot. Its main street is the pedestrianised Sarandí, closed to cars since 1992. Look out for the Puerta de la Ciudadela, one of the few remains of the old fortifications, and the Teatro Solís.
Mercado del Puerto. Opened in 1868, with an iron structure made in Liverpool, it is now the ideal place for a grilled asado. If your team loses, at least you will have eaten well.
La Rambla. More than 22 kilometres of waterfront along the Río de la Plata, from the port to Carrasco, passing beaches such as Pocitos. Perfect for calming pre-match nerves.
While you wait for the final, give your football memory a workout. Play GeoFútbol today, it's free (in Spanish or Portuguese).