| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | Chile |
| Dates | 16 January – 7 February |
| Teams | 10 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  Argentina (3rd title) |
| Runners-up |  Brazil |
| Third place |  Paraguay |
| Fourth place |  Uruguay |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Top scorer(s) | Adaílton (8 goals) |
The South American Youth Championship 1997 was held in Coquimbo, Iquique and La Serena, Chile. It also served as qualification for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.