Copa Libertadores 2023: Start date, fixtures, format & teams involved

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90min

·7 February 2023

Copa Libertadores 2023: Start date, fixtures, format & teams involved

South America's premier club competition, the Copa Libertadores, is primed for its 64th iteration as 46 teams attempt to dethrone Flamengo as the continent's supreme outfit.

Clubs from across CONMEBOL will compete in an arduous campaign starting in February with hope of reaching the competition's showpiece in November.

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It's a tournament enjoyed by football lovers worldwide, and here's everything you need to know about the 2023 Copa Libertadores.

When does the 2023 Copa Libertadores start?

The first stage of qualifying for the 2023 Copa Libertadores begins on 7 February. Qualifying, which involves three stages, will be wrapped up by 16 March.

The group stage begins on 4 April.

2023 Copa Libertadores qualifying fixtures

First stage

07/02/23 - Sport Huancayo (PER) 2-1 Nacional (PAR)
08/02/23 - Nacional Potosi (BOL) 1-6 El Nacional (ECU)
09/02/23 - Boston River (URU) 3-1 Zamora (VEN)
14/02/23 - Nacional (PAR) vs Sport Huancayo (PER)
15/02/23 - El Nacional (ECU) vs Nacional Potosi (BOL)
16/02/23 - Zamora (VEN) vs Boston River (URU)

Second stage

21/02/23 & 28/02/23 - Sport Huancayo/Nacional vs Sporting Cristal (PER)
21/02/23 & 28/02/23 - Curico Unido (CHI) vs Cerro Porteno (PAR)
22/02/23 & 01/03/23 - Carabobo (VEN) vs Atletico Mineiro (BRA)
22/02/23 & 01/03/23 - Nacional Potosi/El Nacional vs Independiente Medellin (COL)
22/02/23 & 01/03/23 - Boston River/Zamora vs Huracan (ARG)
23/02/23 & 02/03/23 - Deportivo Maldonado (URU) vs Fortaleza (BRA)
23/02/23 & 02/03/23 - Magallanes (CHI) vs Always Ready (BOL)
23/02/23 & 02/03/23 - Universidad Catolica (ECU) vs Millonarios (COL)

Third stage

2023 Copa Libertadores format

There are still four places up for grabs in the 2023 Copa Libertadores group stage, with these places being taken up by the four winners of the third-stage qualifying ties.

There are three stages to qualification, with all games being played over two legs. Six teams enter the first stage, with the winners of those ties joining 13 other teams in the second stage. Eight teams progress into the third and final qualifying stage where the four winners of those two-legged affairs will qualify for the Copa Libertadores group stage.

Those that qualify join 28 direct entrants in the group stage. Teams are then drawn into eight groups of four with the top two in each group advancing into the knockout stages. From that point, the competition proceeds with two-legged knockout ties to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final (which is now just one leg).

Pot 1:

Flamengo (BRA)
River Plate (ARG)
Palmeiras (BRA)
Boca Juniors (ARG)
Nacional (URU)
Independiente del Valle (ECU)
Olimpia (PAR)

Pot 2:

Libertad (PAR)
Atletico Nacional (COL)
Internacional (BRA)
Barcelona (ECU)
Racing (ARG)
Corinthians (BRA)
Colo-Colo (CHI)
Fluminense (BRA)

Pot 3:

Bolivar (BOL)
The Strongest (BOL)
Melgar (PER)
Alianza Lima (PER)
Argentinos Juniors (ARG)
Metropolitanos (VEN)
Augas (ECU)
Monaga (VEN)

Pot 4:

Liverpool (URU)
Deportivo Pereira (COL)
Nublense (CHI)
Patronato (ARG)
Third stage winner
Third stage winner
Third stage winner
Third stage winner

When is the 2023 Copa Libertadores group stage draw?

Once qualifying for the group stage is wrapped up, the draw will commence.

The 2023 Copa Libertadores group stage draw will take place on 22 March, with Matchday 1 taking place a couple of weeks later.

How to watch the 2023 Copa Libertadores

BeIN Sports is the home of the 2023 Copa Libertadores for those watching in the US and Canada.

Unfortunately, coverage of the competition is extremely limited in the UK. Typically, the BBC broadcasts the final but that's about it. In 2022, UK viewers were able to watch the competition's showpiece on iPlayer.

Who won the 2022 Copa Libertadores?

Brazilian giants Flamengo won last season's tournament after they beat fellow Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense 1-0 in the final.

It was Flamengo's third triumph in the competition. They were also victorious in 2019 and were beaten finalists in 2021.

Who's won the most Copa Libertadores titles?

Argentinian side Independiente have won this competition a record seven times, but all their victories arrived between 1964 and 1984. They haven't reached the final since their last triumph.

Boca Juniors have won the Copa Libertadores six times, Uruguayan outfit Penarol are five-time winners, while River Plate and Estudiantes, both of Argentina, have won it four times.