The Copa Sudamericana is a continental football competition held annually for the 2nd level of South American clubs, organized by the CONfederación SudaMEricana de FútBOL (CONMEBOL/CSF).
Begun in 2002, it is the 2nd most important competition for South American clubs after the Copa Libertadores. After the Copa CONMEBOL, Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur were discontinued, a Pan-American club cup competition called Copa Pan-Americana was intended, but instead, a South American clubs only tournament was created.
It is comparable to the UEFA Cup in European club soccer competition, with the exception that some teams can play in this tournament and the Copa Libertadores. The winner faces the Copa Libertadores' champion for the Recopa Sudamericana.