Cup Games Liberators evidence strength of Argentine and Ecuadorian markets in Rio tourism, reports

The realization of Copa Libertadores clashes in the Maracanã highlights South American football and also draws attention to the tourist flows that connect the city of Rio to other countries of the continent. Second study by the Carioca Tourism Observatory, Prefeitura do Rio, through Municipal Department of Tourism (SMTUR), 450,353 Argentine tourists and 14,566 Ecuadoreans visited the city in the first seven months of 2026.

Almost 500,000 tourists in the first semester

Together, the two markets accounted for 464,919 visitors, equivalent to 32.5% of the entire international flow recorded in Rio during the period. The data also show a significant difference between countries: the number of Argentine tourists was almost 31 times higher than that of Ecuadorians.

In addition to cheering and creating connections between cities, football helps to highlight the size and characteristics of the issuing markets of Rio's tourism. The presence of Argentine and Ecuadorian clubs in matches at Maracanã reinforces how sports events can contribute to the circulation of visitors and to the approach of Rio with different destinations in South America.

The survey also shows that tourist flows accompany the transformations of the sports calendar, international connections and the interests of travelers, revealing new opportunities for analysis on the relationship between football and tourism in the city.