Breakaway Leagues And Gender Integration Mark New Era For Tournament

Copa Libertadores 2023: Fixture and Scores for the First Tier

Breakaway Leagues and Gender Integration Mark New Era for Tournament

Lima, Peru (Breaking News) -

The Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club football competition, has unveiled its revamped format for the 2023 season, featuring the introduction of breakaway leagues and gender integration. The tournament will now be divided into two tiers, with the top-ranked teams competing in the First Tier (also known as CONMEBOL Libertadores) and the remaining teams in the Second Tier (CONMEBOL Sudamericana). The First Tier will feature 32 teams, divided into eight groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stages. In a landmark move towards gender equality, the Copa Libertadores will also welcome women's teams for the first time in its history. Eight women's teams will participate in a separate tournament, also featuring a group stage and knockout rounds. The winners of the women's and men's competitions will qualify for the CONMEBOL Recopa, a match between the champions of the two tournaments. The new format has been met with mixed reactions. Some critics argue that the breakaway leagues will create a larger gap between the top and bottom teams, while others welcome the opportunity for more teams to compete at the highest level. The inclusion of women's teams has been widely praised, signaling a significant step towards increasing women's participation in football. The draw for the group stage of the Copa Libertadores 2023 First Tier will take place on January 10, with the tournament set to begin in February. The final will be held in November, with the venue yet to be announced.