Going To A Guadalajara vs Club America Game In Mexico City
Looking For More Info On How To Go To A Guadalajara (Chivas) vs Club America Game In Mexico City?
When I first visited Mexico City over a decade ago, I went to a Club America game because it fit in with my schedule, but I quickly became a huge fan of the team and I’ve returned to the city multiple times since just to go to more games (including the best rivalry game vs Guadalajara/Chivas), so I can help you figure out exactly how to attend one of the best Liga MX games for your next trip to Mexico City.
🦅🐐 Why Go To A Guadalajara vs Club America Game?
Besides the fact that going to any soccer game in Mexico is such a great way to experience local culture, the Guadalajara (also known as Chivas) vs Club America match is the best of them all (in my opinion and that of many others), and definitely worth squeezing in on any trip to Mexico City.
What Makes Guadalajara Special
Guadalajara (more commonly referred to as Chivas) is considered by many as “Mexico’s Team” because they are the only top Liga MX team to only play Mexican born (or US/Mexican) players.
All other teams in the league have players with various nationalities, so Chivas fans often point out their superiority of having a 100% Mexican grown team.
Alongside Club America, Chivas are one of the top two teams in Mexico in terms of titles won (they have 12) and number of fans.
What Makes Club America Special
I might be a little biased here, but Club America is the best team in Mexico not just in my opinion, but because of the fact that they have won more titles and trophies than any other team in the country or even on the continent.
With their most recent win coming from the apertura season of 2024, Club America has the leading record of 16 Liga MX titles, 6 Copa Mexico titles, and 7 CONCACAF titles.
Their 10 million plus fanbase exists not only in Mexico but around the world, and they are Mexico’s most loved and most hated team.
What’s Special About The Chivas-America Rivalry
Despite being the current top two teams in Liga MX, the Chivas-America rivalry (referred to as El Súper Clásico or Clásico Nacional) goes back more than 70 years. The two teams first played each other in the 1940s, with tensions growing over the next 30 years from various comments, wins, and losses.
Things really peaked in the 1983-84 final between the two teams (where America won) and have only continued to grow despite not meeting in a finals match again since that game.
No matter what kind of season either of these two teams is having, the rivalry game between them is always played on a different level. Tensions are high and emotions are on the brink of explosion.
⚽️ How To Go To A Guadalajara vs Club America Game In Mexico City
Since the Guadalajara (Chivas) vs Club America game is such a big rivalry event, going to this game is a little bit different than going to other soccer games in Mexico or even other Club America games.
Getting Tickets To A Guadalajara vs Club America Game
Because the Guadalajara vs Club America game is a huge rivalry match and one of the most popular games to attend, tickets must be purchased online ahead of time because they do sell out.
I had to buy my ticket online from StubHub (it was about $200 for a low section seat) and pick it up the day before the game at a local hotel.
Getting To The Stadium
People arrive at all different times so it’s pretty easy to get there using Uber, private transfers, certified taxi’s, or even public transportation (though I don’t recommend that option), and prices don’t typically surge on the way there.
I do recommend arriving early (2-ish hours at least) to shop around a little, experience the pregame festivities, find your seats, and watch warm ups.
Fan ID Requirement
To enter any stadium in Mexico on game day, you must first complete your Fan ID:
- go to https://fanliga.mx
- click “Go to Incode ID Wallet”
- click “Register”, input your phone number, accept the terms
- input the verification code they just sent you to continue
- take a picture of your identification card
- your info will be entered into the system, double check it
- take a clear photo of your face
- wait while it verifies then accept the privacy terms and click to activate the Incode ID Wallet
- save the QR code for game day
Finding Your Seats
Estadio Azteca (now called Estadio Banorte) is enormous, and with all the people, it can be a little difficult to find your seats. There are specific sections and seat numbers on your tickets that you can search for yourself or tip a worker to take you directly to them (on my first visit, I went with a friend from Mexico City and she tipped the guy 10-20 pesos).
What To Expect During The Game
The Chivas-America rivalry is the biggest in Mexico so there’s a lot of sports “hatred” between the two teams, but everyone was very polite and family-friendly when I went.
Still expect an electric atmosphere though.
When goals get scored, do watch out for flying beer (and sometimes other liquids 🤢) from the celebrations.
Leaving Safely
Games typically end once it’s dark outside, so to be extra safe, I recommend avoiding taxis and instead getting a private transfer or upgrading your Uber to get a ride much faster to get off the street as soon as possible (it’s not the safest area at night).
🔁 Sum Up: Going To A Guadalajara vs Club America Game
Soccer is such a great way to experience the culture here in Mexico and one of the absolute best matches you can go to in the country is the Guadalajara (Chivas) vs Club America rivalry game because the stadium fills up, the atmosphere is incredibly electric, and it’s typically a very entertaining game between two teams that really hate each other (in a sports kind of way).
