Deportivo Cuenca Draws Santos (Neymar's Team) in Copa Sudamericana — First Match April 8

The Draw

Deportivo Cuenca — the city's top-division football club — learned its fate in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana group stage draw this week. They're in Group D alongside some big names:

Team	Country	Notes
Santos FC	Brazil	Neymar Jr.'s current club
San Lorenzo	Argentina	Historic Buenos Aires club
Club Recoleta	Paraguay	Asunción-based, first continental campaign
Deportivo Cuenca	Ecuador	Our guys

First match: April 8, 5:00 PM — Deportivo Cuenca vs. Santos

The Neymar Factor

Let's address the elephant in the room: will Neymar actually come to Cuenca?

Neymar returned to Santos in early 2025 and has been playing regularly for the club. Copa Sudamericana is an important competition for Santos, and the club typically travels with its full squad for group-stage matches.

That said, nothing is confirmed until the team sheet is published. But the possibility of Neymar playing at Cuenca's Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar has the city buzzing.

The Stadium

The Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar (capacity ~20,000) sits in the heart of Cuenca on Av. del Estadio, just south of the Tomebamba River. If you've been in Cuenca on match days, you know the atmosphere — the entire surrounding neighborhood comes alive with food vendors, flags, and noise.

For a match like Santos, expect:

• Tickets to sell out fast — especially if Neymar is confirmed
• Heavy traffic around the stadium and Av. del Estadio from about 2 hours before kickoff
• A party atmosphere in the surrounding streets and bars

The Full Group Schedule

The Copa Sudamericana group stage runs through May, with home and away matches against all three opponents. Exact dates and times for subsequent matches will be confirmed by CONMEBOL in the coming weeks.

Why This Matters Beyond Football

International matches bring visibility, tourism, and economic activity to Cuenca. A Santos visit — especially with Neymar — would generate national and international media attention. Restaurants, hotels, and bars near the stadium will see a significant bump.

Even if you're not a football fan, match nights are a great way to experience Cuenca's energy. Grab a seat at a bar along Calle Larga or near the stadium and soak it in.

How to Get Tickets

Tickets for Deportivo Cuenca home matches are typically sold:

• Online through the club's social media channels (check their Instagram and Facebook)
• At the stadium box office in the days before the match
• Through authorized resellers — be cautious of scalpers

Prices for a Copa Sudamericana group match will likely be higher than regular LigaPro games. Expect $10-30 depending on section.

Sources: Primicias, El Mercurio