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.

1. Lienzo Charro Constituyentes

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 charrería arena 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 charreadas on a regular basis. You can also host parties and weddings here, too, if that takes your fancy.

Lienzo Charro Constituyentes, Av. Constituyentes 500, Miguel Hidalgo, Panteón Civíl de Dolores, Ciudad de México, México +52 55 4986 6585

Charro in action | © Dustin Ground/Flickr

2. 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.

3. Lienzo Charro El Hormiguero

Lienzo Charro El Hormiguero

For an extremely traditional and holistic charrería experience, the Lienzo Charro El Hormiguero is the ideal destination. At this lienzo charro they carry out all number of events, from classic charreadas to the perhaps less common escaramuzas and 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 El Hormiguero, Calzada Azcapotzalco la Villa, Santo Tomas, Azcapotzalco, Ciudad de México, México +52 55 5394 7163

Indoor Charreada | © La Voz de la Charrería/Flickr

5. 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.

6. Lienzo Charro del Pedregal

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 del Pedregal, Camino a Santa Teresa 305, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México, México +52 55 4983 1648

Charro takes a tumble | © La Voz de la Charrería/Flickr

7. Lienzo Charro Hacienda la Providencia

Lienzo Charro Hacienda la Providencia

As well as being a popular charreada location, 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 charros on our guide, it opened in 2001.

Lienzo Charro Hacienda la Providencia, Sebastián Trejo, Santiago Sur, Ciudad de México, México

Charro wrangling a horse | © La Voz de la Charrería/Flickr

8. Lienzo Charro de la Viga

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.

Lienzo Charro de la Viga, Avenida Calzada Guadalupe, 81, Delegación Iztacalco, Colonia Linda Vista, Ciudad de Mexico, México +52 55 4986 6585

An abrupt halt | © Bud Ellison/Flickr

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.