LUQUE, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) will double the prize money for next year's Copa Libertadores champions as part of a revamp of the continent's premier club competition.
The tournament winners will be awarded 12 million US dollars, up from six million dollars this year, officials said during the 2019 Copa Libertadores draw here.
The extra prize money follows lucrative television rights deals involving traditional broadcasters and streaming services for the 2019-22 period.
Brazil is the best represented country in next year's competition with eight teams: Atletico Paranaense, Palmeiras, Cruzeiro, Flamengo, Internacional, Gremio, Sao Paulo and Atletico Mineiro.
Argentina will be represented by seven clubs while Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela will have four clubs each.
The 2019 edition will mark the first time that the Copa Libertadores final features a single match. The title decider has been played over two-legs - with each team playing once in front of their own fans - since the competition's inception in 1960. Next year's final will be played in Chilean capital Santiago on Saturday, November 23.
The first qualifying stage of the tournament will begin on January 22 and the group phase is scheduled to start on March 5.
