Lucha Libre Mexico City: The Ultimate Expert Guide (2024)
Lucha Libre in Mexico City isn’t just wrestling, it’s a cultural experience. And whether you’re into wrestling or not, this is something you shouldn’t miss while you’re in town.
If you’re here, you’re probably already considering a night of wrestling but you may not be sure how to go about it. Should you take a tour or go alone? How do you buy tickets? How long is a show?
In this article I will cover the answers to all these questions and more, based on my own first-hand experience of the spectacle that is Lucha Libre.
My Lucha Libre Experience
When I went to see Lucha Libre in Mexico City I took this awesome tour. It was totally safe and fun, and experiencing Lucha Libre with a local Chilango made it 10x more fun!
Lucha Libre Mexico City
When I say Lucha Libre is a cultural experience, I’m not exaggerating. In recent years this form of professional wrestling was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by Mexico City.
The sport of freestyle Mexican wrestling dates back to the 1800’s but is still thriving today. What started as a regional affair is now a nationwide, televised phenomenon, second only to soccer (football) in popularity.
While the history is rich, you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the show.
In Mexico City, Lucha Libre is an absolute spectacle. The flamboyance and theatrics make it really easy to play along with the locals and have a great time.
The basics of are really simple. The wrestlers are known as Luchadores and most of them wear masks. This used to be to hide their identities from their families or workplaces but these days it’s to add a mysterious superhero effect.
The wrestlers are divided into two groups, Rudos (the bad guys) and Técnicos (the good guys).
It’s a tale as old as time: the battle of good vs bad, and it’s up to you who you root for.
How To See Mexican Wrestling
When you’re in CDMX, you have two options when deciding how you want to experience Lucha Libre. You can take a tour with a local guide or you can go it alone and see the show independently.
When I went to my first show I chose to trust a local guide and I’m really glad I did, but everyone is different! So let’s get into the different ways to experience Lucha Libre so you can decide what works best for you.
The Best Tour
I believe the best way to experience Lucha Libre, especially for the first time, is with a local guide. Your experience with a Chilango (Mexico City native) is going to be very different from your experience as a foreigner.
The tour that I took lasts 4 hours and will get you a guide, a great seat, your own Luchador mask to keep, a pulque tasting [imagine a fermented tequila] and live music at a local cantina.
And while all of that sounds great, the major benefit for me was having someone there who understood Lucha Libre!
My guide, Javier, was able to explain the history of Lucha Libre, rivalries between the different Luchadores we were watching, who we should be rooting for, and what was going on at different times of the show.
The crowd is very animated and there were many times when they went wild with shouting and booing and I had no idea why until my guide caught me up to speed.
Having the guide and the small group (15 max) also made the experience at the arena much more comfortable. Most of the major matches these days take place at Arena México which is a big place in a rough part of town.
There is a ton of activity around the arena from vendors to performers and it can be overwhelming to navigate. The crowds are huge on fight night and they don’t seem to die down until well after the show is over, so I was grateful to have someone I could trust to follow.
Going Independently
Maybe you’re not a joiner, maybe your budget is tight, or maybe you just enjoy exploring things on your own. Whatever the case, if you want to see Mexican wrestling independently you can!
I recommend seeing a show at Arena México to see the best Luchadores. Arena México is located a short walk from Cuauhtémoc Metro Station and is easily accessible by Uber, or on foot from Roma.
Tickets range in price from $100MXN [$6USD/$8CAD] to $300MXN [$20USD/$24CAD] depending on the seating area you choose.
You have two options to purchase your tickets. You can purchase your tickets online in advance (fees apply) or you can purchase them on the day at the box office at the arena.
If you’re comfortable speaking Spanish, you can purchase tickets in person at the box office on the day. To get good seats, make sure you go early.
If you have to pick up your tickets or you’re going last minute, expect the box office to be chaotic. There are different lines for Will Call and new purchases, and it can be overwhelming especially if you don’t speak Spanish.
The ring is in the middle of the arena so there are really no bad seats! The best (and most expensive) seats are the floor seats which are called Ring Naranja, Ring Verde, Ring Azul, and Ring Rojo. There is also a wheelchair accessible section called PCD.
It can be a hassle to catch a show if you’re not a local or you don’t speak Spanish. I strongly recommend taking a tour like I did, which makes this experience safe, fun, and uncomplicated. You can check out my tour here.
When & Where To The Shows Are
Mexico City has Lucha Libre live shows at Arena Coliseo on Saturday nights and Arena México on Tuesday and Friday nights. There are also family friendly shows on Sunday afternoons at Arena México.
I recommend seeing a show at Arena México if your schedule permits. Arena México is a larger arena where the major fights happen making the experience that much more exciting.
What To Expect
If there’s one thing to expect at a wrestling show in CDMX, it’s excitement! You can feel the energy pumping from the arena as you walk up and you know you’re in for a fun night.
At The Arena
When you arrive at Arena México you’ll see vendors selling food, drinks and souvenirs (don’t worry, they’ll still be there when you leave). The rush of people will soon have you following the flow into the arena.
When you enter the arena there will be security checking tickets and sometimes giving pat downs and bag searches. In my experience in Mexico, this usually happens to locals more than visitors, unless they already suspect something.
If you’re with a tour, just follow the guide, but if you’re visiting independently you may need some help finding your seats.
There will be many, easy to find attendants in blue pinnies/vests ready to help you find your way. If you take their help make sure to tip them a few pesos to say thank you.
Once you find your seat, you can think about supplies for the show!
Some snack and drink vendors make their way through the crowds and you can purchase snacks like chips, popcorn, and beer right from your seat.
Otherwise, you can make your way back out of the arena into the lobby where you’ll find more food and drink vendors.
The vendors in the lobby sell everything from snacks like chips and candy to hot food like hotdogs and tortas (delicious, hot sandwiches). You’ll also find bar stalls that sell soft drinks known as refrescos and others selling beer cocktails.
Bathrooms are also available in this area as well as some more souvenir stands selling masks and other Luchador merch.
At The Show
And now.. the moment you’ve all been waiting for! It’s SHOW TIME!
Expect a spectacle! The buzz of the crowd is electric with anticipation and suddenly the show begins. Bright coloured lights, stream around the darkened arena, fire blasts up from the stage, and the faces of the warriors flash across the big screen.
The entrances are just as dramatic as the fights themselves. I saw one team of Luchadores come in on motorcycles, while shooting flames in the air to a soundtrack of heavy metal.
The crowd reacts strongly to each Luchador with cheers or jeers, giving you a clue if you should expect a good guy or a bad guy in the ring.
When they reach the ring the Luchadores will pump up the audience. Jumping off the ropes, doing flips, and calling for noise. Once the opponents are in the ring the referee will start the fight and then they’re off!
Expect flips and flying, tackles and taunting. Inside the ring and out, the Luchadores fight for their honour and bragging rights across three intense rounds before a victor is ultimately named.
Before long you’ll find yourself joining in, booing when the crowd boos and cheering when they cheer.
After The Show
When the show is over (or when you’re ready to leave) you will make your way back out to the street where you’ll see countless vendors. This is a great place to find unique Luchador souvenirs like shopping bags, clothing, masks, and toys.
You may even find a wrestler or two offering a meet and greet for a few pesos.
Once you’ve finished your shopping call your Uber right away or head to the other side of Av. Cuauhtémoc. Do not wander around this area.
Need To Know Before You Go
Lucha Libre is so much fun but to keep things chugging along smoothly there are a few things you should know before you go.
It is important that you not spend more time in Doctores than you need to. There are plenty of great options for food and drink in Roma, before and after the show.
When it’s time to head to the arena, make your way straight over Av. Cuauhtémoc and into the arena. When the show is over, you may want to pick up a couple of souvenirs at the outside vendors, then make your way back over Av. Cuauhtémoc straight away.
If you are concerned about getting lost or navigating this area at night it is best that you book a tour.
Here are a few other safety tips for your night at the wrestling:
Dress comfortably and warm! The arena is chilly at night, the walls and floors are concrete and the seats are cold plastic.
The shows typically last 3 hours and there are usually several undercard fights before the main event and each fight has 3 rounds.
Jeans and a jacket with some easy to walk in shoes would be perfect attire for a this show. Avoid backpacks and opt for a crossbody bag in case of pickpockets.
Summary
Lucha Libre is a must for anyone visiting this city and alongside a hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacán, is one of my favourite things I’ve ever done in Mexico, and is something that really belongs on every CDMX itinerary.
Whether you decide to go it alone or you decide to take a tour, this is one of the top things that make this city worth visiting and adds another layer of flavour to an already incredible city.
