Great Venues To Watch Charrera In Mexico City

Charrería is one of Mexico’s most popular and traditional competitive sporting events, and although it originated in the western state of Jalisco, there are of course numerous venues in the Mexican capital at which to catch a typical charreada or escaramuza (a specifically female event). Here are eight of the top lienzos charros (charrería rings, or arenas) in Mexico City.

Lienzo Charro Constituyentes

Considered to be one of Latin America’s largest indoor lienzos charros,Lienzo Charro Constituyentes has a capacity for 5000 spectators. If you’re looking for the biggest and arguably most atmospheric charreríaarena in the city, this would make for a fantastic option. Plus, it’s also the home of the National Charro Association, so you can be guaranteed some excellent charreadason a regular basis. You can also host parties and weddings here, too, if that takes your fancy.

Lienzo Charro de la Villa

Cathedral, Sports Center

This lienzo charrois under the direction of one of Mexico City’s oldest charrería associations, the Regional Association of Charros de la Villa, and has a fantastic reputation for putting on some excellent charreadas.At Lienzo Charro de la Villa, which is self-labeled the Cathedral of Charrería, you can be a part of the ongoing efforts to keep this Mexican sport alive when you attend a function.

Lienzo Charro El Hormiguero

For an extremely traditional and holistic charreríaexperience, the Lienzo Charro El Hormiguero is the ideal destination. At this lienzo charrothey carry out all number of events, from classic charreadasto the perhaps less common escaramuzasand suertes charras.Whichever event you stop by to see, you’re sure to be witness to an excellent show at Lienzo Charro El Hormiguero.

Lienzo Charro La Tapatía

Cinema

Lienzo Charro La Tapatía is run by another of Mexico City’s big name charreríaassociations — this time it’s the Metropolitan Charro Association. Just 30 minutes out of the southern Mexico City region of Santa De and approximately the same amount of time from the key landmark, Avenida Reforma, this southeastern lienzo charrois an easily accessible destination with a 3500 spectator capacity.

Lienzo Charro Aragón

Zoo

If you’ve tired of the nearby zoo and fancy seeing a similarly animal oriented spectacle, then head to the Lienzo Charro Aragón. Here you can see the full gamut of competitions and shows, from escaramuzasand suertes charrasto jaripeos.The only downside is that it only has a 700-person capacity, although this could be a positive thing if you want a more intimate atmosphere.

Lienzo Charro del Pedregal

The Pedregal Association of Charros was unusual in that, when it was formed in 1963, it didn’t even have its own lienzo charro.That changed a short while later thanks to the donation of land from Don Antonio Gutiérrez Prieto, and the so-called Cabaña del Oso was built. In the mid-1960s, the Lienzo Charro de Pedregal was finally constructed in its current location, despite worries that the land was to be used for the Villa Olímpica instead.

Lienzo Charro Hacienda la Providencia

As well as being a popular charreadalocation, Lienzo Charro Hacienda la Providencia also runs a side-business in being a unique wedding destination. However, if you’re more interested in horses than vows, you’ll be pleased to know that it still hosts regular events. One of the most recently inaugurated lienzo charroson our guide, it opened in 2001.

Lienzo Charro de la Viga

Finally, we have one of Mexico City’s longest running and most popular lienzos charros,Lienzo Charro de la Viga. First inaugurated in 1942 and situated in the eastern delegation of Iztacalco, Lienzo Charro de la Viga is located on land once belonging to the Ex-Hacienda de Narvarte. Diverse events and competitions are hosted here on a regular basis and it remains one of the city’s largest lienzos charros. By Lauren Cocking

About the author

Lauren Cocking

Northern England Writer

Yorkshire-born food, drink and travel writer based out of Mexico, you can find my work at Nat Geo, CNN, Extra Crispy and OZY, amongst other publications. Everything Mexico is my niche, but I also dabble in spewing my unsolicited opinions about teabags and pork pies. Find more of my work at northernlauren.com.