What is the Copa Libertadores
The Copa Libertadores is the annual championship tournament for professional soccer clubs in South America. It is organized by CONMEBOL, the South American soccer confederation. The tournament is equivalent to the European Champions League and is considered the most important club competition in South America.
Basic Tournament Format
The Copa Libertadores uses a multi-round format. Typically, 32 teams from 10 different South American countries are divided into eight groups of four teams. Each team plays the others in their group once, and the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout rounds. From there, teams compete in a two-leg playoff system where they play each other twice, and the team with the better combined score advances.
Final Stages
The tournament continues through quarter-finals and semi-finals using the same two-leg format. The two remaining teams face off in the final, which consists of two matches played in each team's home stadium. The team with the higher total score across both matches wins the Copa Libertadores championship.
Which Teams Compete
Teams qualify for the Copa Libertadores based on their performance in their domestic leagues during the previous season. The stronger soccer nations like Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay typically have more teams competing. Clubs must be among the top finishers in their country's league to earn a spot in the tournament.
Historical Significance
The Copa Libertadores has been held every year since 1960 and features some of the most famous and successful soccer clubs in South America. Teams like Penarol, Estudiantes, and AC Milan have won multiple titles. The tournament is watched by millions of fans across South America and is considered one of the most competitive club competitions in world soccer. 
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