The Copa Sudamericana is an international football competition that is played every year between clubs from South America and CONCACAF . It is considered the South American equivalent of the Europa League . Until 2016, while the Libertadores generally took place between January and July, the Sudamericana was held between August and December, allowing the best clubs on the continent to meet twice a year. It is considered a continuation of the Copa Conmebol . From 2017 the Copa Sudamericana takes place over the entire calendar year which prevents clubs from participating in the two Continental Club Cups.

The winner of the Copa Sudamericana then faces, at the Recopa Sudamericana , the winner of the Copa Libertadores as well as the winner of the Japanese League Cup at the Copa Suruga Bank .