Deportivo Cuenca vs Santos FC -- Copa Sudamericana Comes to Town April 8

Copa Sudamericana Football Is Coming to Cuenca

Mark your calendar: Deportivo Cuenca hosts Santos FC of Brazil in the Copa Sudamericana Group D opener on Wednesday, April 8 at 5:00 PM at the Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar. This is the biggest international club match Cuenca has seen in years, and the city is buzzing.

The Copa Sudamericana is South America's second-tier continental club competition (think of it as the South American equivalent of the UEFA Europa League). For Deportivo Cuenca to be competing at this level is a significant achievement, and bringing a historic Brazilian club like Santos to the city makes it even more special.

Match Details

Detail	Info
Match	Deportivo Cuenca vs Santos FC
Competition	Copa Sudamericana, Group D, Matchday 1
Date	Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Kickoff	5:00 PM (Ecuador time)
Venue	Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar

Tickets

Tickets are available in four tiers:

Tier	Price
General	$30
Preferencia	$40
Tribuna	$55
Palco	$80

• Online sales begin April 2 through the club's official channels
• In-person sales run April 3-5 at the stadium box office

Demand is high. The club has already sold over 4,000 season passes for the Copa Sudamericana campaign, which is a remarkable number for a city of Cuenca's size. If you want to go, don't wait until matchday.

About Santos FC

Santos FC is one of the most storied clubs in Brazilian football history. Based in the coastal city of Santos in Sao Paulo state, the club is best known as the team where Pele spent the majority of his legendary career (1956-1974). Santos has won two Copa Libertadores titles and two Intercontinental Cups, among many other honors.

While Santos has gone through ups and downs over the decades, the name still carries enormous weight in South American football. Having them visit Cuenca is a genuine event.

The Atmosphere

If you've never been to a Deportivo Cuenca match at the Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar, you're in for an experience. The stadium holds around 20,000 people, and when it's full for a big match, the atmosphere is electric. The Barra Brava (ultras section) brings drums, flags, smoke, and nonstop chanting. It's loud, passionate, and completely immersive.

For a Copa Sudamericana match against a Brazilian club, expect the intensity to be turned up to maximum.

What This Means for Expats

• Wednesday, April 8, 5:00 PM kickoff. The match is on a weekday, so plan your afternoon accordingly. If you work, you might want to clear your schedule after 4:00 PM
• Buy tickets early. Online sales start April 2, in-person sales April 3-5. With 4,000+ season passes already sold and strong demand, popular sections will sell out. General at $30 is the most affordable option
• Getting to the stadium: The Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar is located along Av. del Estadio in the southern part of the city. It's walkable from many parts of Cuenca, but if you're coming from the north, consider a taxi or bus. Traffic around the stadium will be heavy starting around 3:30 PM
• Arrive early. Gates typically open 1.5-2 hours before kickoff for big matches. Arriving early lets you soak in the pre-match atmosphere, find your seat, and avoid the last-minute crush at the turnstiles
• Safety: Copa Sudamericana matches have heightened security. Expect bag checks and possibly pat-downs at the entrance. Don't bring large bags, umbrellas, or anything that could be considered a projectile
• This is a cultural experience as much as a sporting one. Even if you're not a football fan, attending a South American continental match is something you'll remember. The passion, the noise, the energy -- it's unlike anything in North American or European sports
• Restaurants and bars near the stadium will be packed before and after the match. If you want to eat beforehand, go early or pick somewhere a few blocks away from the stadium zone

Cuenca on the continental stage. It doesn't happen every day. Vamos, Cuenca.

Sources: El Mercurio, Club Deportivo Cuenca