In this budget guide to the Lucha Libre in Mexico City, you will learn how to buy tickets and enjoy the experience like a local at the Arena México.
Lucha Libre is the term for the unique style of professional wrestling originating in Mexico back in 1863, and is run under the CMLL, the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, the World Wrestling Council.
It is characterised by high-flying manoeuvres performed by mask-wearing luchadores.
As I near the end of my present stay here, I thought I would get a blog post up detailing my 3rd sport-themed outing, here in Mexico City.
Last year, I visited the largest stadium in Mexico, the Azteca Stadium, you know, the one that hosted the 1986 World Cup and where Maradona scored the ‘Hand Of God’ goal against England.
And later I went to watch a baseball game between home side Diablos Rojos del México and Pericos de Puebla at the Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú. (This is not yet online).
How to buy tickets for the Lucha Libre at the Arena México
There is absolutely no need to waste your money by booking a tour such as the very expensive Airbnb Experience.
If you want to live like a local, then buy tickets like a local: You can easily buy your tickets on the spot at the ticket counters at the Arena Mexico.
Just politely say no gracias to the touts hanging around outside
I have watched the Lucha Libre at Arena México three times now. Twice with Miss CDMX and once with a travel buddy.
Queuing up for the tickets at the Arena México on Dr. Lavista Street in Doctores:
With Miss CDMX, we had ‘Gradas’ Tickets at just 50 pesos each.
To gain access to the Gradas, you need to use the entrance around the corner on Calle Rafael Lucio, where you show your tickets and get frisked:
The Gradas Tickets are for the balcony.
With Miss CDMX, at the Lucha Libre Mexico City:
Miss CDMX and I with our Gradas Tickets for the Lucha Libre Wrestling at the Arena México in the Doctores neighbourhood in Mexico City:
The fights are commonly between Los Técnicos and Los Rudos.
Los Técnicos are the ‘technicians’. They follow the rules and wear the face masks.
Los Rudos are the ‘rude boys’. They commonly flout the rules, ignore the ref and have long hair.
It all looks very well choreographed and staged, but they set up the moves to avoid serious injury. Imagine having a 200-pound guy landing on you with your neck twisted at a bad angle.
Sometimes it doesn’t end well:
With my travel buddy, I asked for Gradas tickets but was given 2 tickets at 100 pesos each in the green zone. That night, they weren’t using the upstairs balcony for whatever reason.
Where to watch Lucha Libre in Mexico City:
I watched the Lucha Libre at the Arena México:
Dr. Lavista 197, Doctores, Cuauhtémoc, 06720 Ciudad de México, CDMX
Tuesday: 7:30 pm Friday: 8:30 pm Sunday: 5 pm
The program runs for about 2 hours.
The CMLL also run events at the Arena Coliseo, which is not far from the Palacio de Bellas Artes, on Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and at the Arena Puebla in Puebla on Mondays at 9 pm.
