The 2025 Copa Sudamericana first stage was played from 4 to 6 March 2025. A total of 32 teams competed in the first stage to decide 16 of the 32 places in the group stage of the 2025 Copa Sudamericana.
<section begin=Draw /> The draw for the first stage was held on 19 December 2024, 12:00 PYT (), at the CONMEBOL Convention Centre in Luque, Paraguay.
For the first stage, the 32 teams involved were divided into eight pots according to their national association. The 32 teams were drawn into 16 ties, with the four teams from each national association being drawn against a rival from the same association in two ties per association. The first team drawn in each tie hosted the match.<section end=Draw />
<section begin=Format /> In the first stage, each tie was played on a single-leg basis, with the winner being decided in a penalty shoot-out in case of a draw after 90 minutes.
The 16 winners of the first stage advanced to the group stage to join the 12 teams directly qualified for that stage (six from Argentina and six from Brazil), and four teams transferred from the Copa Libertadores (the four teams eliminated in the third stage of qualifying).<section end=Format />
Matches were played on 4âÂÂ6 March 2025. <section begin=First stage /><section end=First stage />
Nacional PotosÃÂ advanced to the group stage (BOL 1).
GV San José advanced to the group stage (BOL 2).
Palestino advanced to the group stage (CHI 1).
Unión Española advanced to the group stage (CHI 2).
América de Cali advanced to the group stage (COL 1).
Once Caldas advanced to the group stage (COL 2).
Mushuc Runa advanced to the group stage (ECU 1).
Universidad Católica advanced to the group stage (ECU 2).
Sportivo Luqueño advanced to the group stage (PAR 1).
GuaranÃÂ advanced to the group stage (PAR 2).
Cienciano advanced to the group stage (PER 1).
Atlético Grau advanced to the group stage (PER 2).
Racing advanced to the group stage (URU 1).
Cerro Largo advanced to the group stage (URU 2).
Academia Puerto Cabello advanced to the group stage (VEN 1).
Caracas advanced to the group stage (VEN 2).