[1][2] The competition started in the 2011 season in response to the increased interest in youth football.

Players born on or after 1 January 1990 were eligible to compete in the first tournament, technically making it an under-21 competition.

The tournament was originally going to be hosted in November 2010, however, because of the postponement, the player age eligibility was changed.

[6] In March 2015, the CONMEBOL Executive Committee approved Paraguay as host of the next U-20 Copa Libertadores in January 2016.

[7] The cup is played by twelve teams, one from each CONMEBOL country, divided in three groups of four clubs each.