Copa America final kickoff delayed after fans storm gates and turnstyles, leading to congestion and arrests

Fans stormed the gates of Hard Rock Stadium ahead of the Copa America final, leading to arrests and congestion outside the grounds.

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• Fans storm Hard Rock Stadium gates without tickets
• Arrests made by local police
• Kickoff delayed more than an hour as a result

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Fans without tickets for the match stormed past gates, climbing fences and forcing their way past turnstyle ahead of the Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium Sunday night. The incidents and resulting congestion prompted a kickoff delay from the original 8 pm EST to 9:15 pm EST.

  Multiple reports said that an estimated 7,000 people without tickets gained entry to the stadium, and prior to kickoff, fans were crowding the aisles and walkways. Security personnel tried to clear those areas once the game started, and then were checking to see if fans without seats had tickets.

  USA Today reported Miami-Dade police have made "10-15 arrests" ahead of kickoff. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue arrived to provide supports on the scene, but not before tensions rose.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Gates for the match opened more than two hours after they were supposed to, and it left some fans baking in temperatures of 90+ degrees fahrenheit.

  Congestion in and around the stadium led to fans being forced into uncomfortable conditions, and a slow-moving attendance ahead of kickoff. The Athletic reported that a fan wearing a Colombia jersey was "revived" on the scene by medical personnel, after stating she appeared to be unconscious.

  Miami-Dade Police released a statement sharing that "unruly behavior" from fans led to the match delay.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Colombia are riding a 28-match unbeaten streak heading into the match. Argentina, meanwhile, are looking to repeat as champions.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Kickoff was pushed back first by 30 minutes, and then 45 minutes, and then again to 9:15 pm ET local time in Miami. During warmups, CONMEBOL officials asked players from both teams to exit the pitch and return to the lockerroom.

  FOX Sports reported that the stadium was temporarily in "lockdown" and that all the gates to the stadium opened at 8:20 pm.