The Best Places To Watch The Rugby In Buenos Aires

Argentina may be famous for its football, but you might be surprised to know that rugby is also a thing here. While not as big as football, rugby is still a very Argentine pastime, and if you are a fan, it is easier than you think to get yourself to a game while you’re in Buenos Aires. Here are the best places to watch rugby in Buenos Aires capital and province.

At the rugby club

If you’re keen to have a truly local experience, head to one of Buenos Aires province’s many rugby clubs. Just arrive on a Saturday when the matches take place and pick up a ticket from the athletic club ticket office. Some require payment, but some are free, so get yourself down to the club early to enjoy some delicious Argentine treats such as a lomito sandwich and some local Quilmes beer to wash it down with.

At José Amalfitani Stadium

Stadium

José Amalfitani Stadium is where both the Argentine national team Los Pumas and rugby’s most popular professional club Jaguares play. Located in the Porteno neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, this is where many important rugby matches are played, although the fixtures are not very regular. If you happen to be in Buenos Aires when a game is being played there, don’t pass up the opportunity to check it out.

El Hindu Club

El Hindu is an important rugby club located in the Don Torcuato neighbourhood in the northern zone of Buenos Aires. Approaching its 100th birthday, this athletics organisation is written into the history books of Argentine club rugby, and has a long and colourful past. Check out one of the games at the club itself for a glimpse into a century of Argentine rugby.

At an asado

For rugby fanatics, it can be easier to decide to watch the game at home with friends. One of the most popular social activities in Argentina is to get together with friends or family for an asado, or barbeque. This can also be a economic option, as groups of friends usually split the cost of the meat, and you can watch the rugby match on the TV at home.

In a sports bar

While it is not common for local rugby to be shown in sports bars, fans of the sport can hit up certain pubs and bars when international matches are being played, provided the game does not clash with football, which will always be given preference. Sullivan’s Irish Bar in Palermo is a safe bet when it comes to watching big international games, so head down for a Guinness and a good time.

San Isidro

Another popular club in zona norte is San Isidro. This upper-middle class suburb is home to lots of Buenos Aires’ rugby players, and you can check out the crime drama El Clan for a better idea of what life in this area is like, and how one family from San Isidro became involved in a life of crime that involved a local rugby team and its players.

Online

OK, so this may be universal, but it’s 2018, and lots of people will watch sports online as opposed to leaving the comfort of their own home. This is also a good shout if it is raining, as no one in Buenos Aires sets foot outside the house during inclement weather, so take a duvet day and stream the rugby from your bed.