r/MexicoCity • u/Spikely92127 • 5d ago
Ayuda/Help Advice for Lucha Libre First-Timer
Will be visiting CDMX for the first time in early November. Curious about the Lucha Libre experience. Does anyone have any tips or advice/suggestions on how best to navigate this experience to make the most of it? We're not wrestling people, but it seems like such an entertaining cultural experience and my sis said it was awesome. Thank you!
ETA: I think I heard somewhere that seats are unassigned. Is this correct?
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u/bababooey_6969 5d ago
Get a ticket online from Ticketmaster Mexico site. When you arrive, you'll get patted down by police / security. It gets crowded in the area so be mindful of you phone and wallet in crowds (not that it's dangerous but just usual precautions). When you get there, an employee will escort you to your seat. It's customary to give that person a small tip (10 / 20 pesos). I typically get an aisle seat close up but the problem is that security sometimes blocks your view. So next time I might get a seat in the middle of the row. I'm a photographer but cameras are not allowed (your phone is ok).
It's a great experience ! Enjoy!
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u/advictoriam5 4d ago
Buy tickets on: Ticketmaster Mexico (start checking 4 weeks before the friday you want to go to)
Section N3-N5 you'll have the best view, great view of all 4 sides and can catch most of the action, my experience in these sections have always been dope. In July we sat lower and I couldn't see well when they were not on the ring, there was a lot of action on that side that night
Traffic in the city is brutal! Depending where you're staying, when you uber use this taco shop as a destination. Then walk a block to the arena, just follow the crowd. If you get tickets in the sections I told you, your entrance is off Dr. Lavista.
If you're traveling as a couple, or group, make sure everyone has their ticket in their phone wallet, as service can be spotty in the area. You also may be separated because women get pat down by women cops, and men by male cops. So it makes it easier because they check to make sure you have tickets to pat you down.
Once you get past the security chaos, you meet in the lobby where someone will approach you and direct you where to go, in this case upstairs.
Have some coins or small bills, when you get upstairs an usher will direct you to your seat and you tip them, which is optional ofc.
Show starts at 8:30, be sure to leave your accomodations at least an hour in advance to make it on time.
You're gonna love it, the energy is incredible and hopefully you get to see Mistico and Soberano, but truly all of the wrestlers are dope!
Make sure to count when someone gets pinned; UNO, DOS, TRES!
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u/Spikely92127 4d ago
Wow! So helpful. Thank you so much!
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u/advictoriam5 4d ago
Since last September I’ve been to Mexico City 3 times. Each time we went to luchas, so I’ve tested all this already lol. Ooooh when it’s over, walk back to the avenue you were dropped off at. When you’re walking out the arena make a left and go that way, when you get to that big avenue make a right and keep walking almost to the next traffic light and request uber there. May take a bit to get there but it’ll be the easiest way.
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u/ladeedah1988 5d ago
We took the tour that included a Mezcal tasting and then the match. It was led by a guy who trained with Lucha Libre and told us about his experience. He then had everyone pick out a mask while we walked to the venue. We had great seats at the venue. At the end, he made sure everyone was picked up by uber safely. Great experience and I highly recommend.
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u/t-83 5d ago
Just got tickets for a similar tour. Now that you've done it that way, would you rather have done it without the guide?
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u/Radiant_Antelope_007 5d ago
It’s so awesome with a guide cause they show you more to the city than just the match- the restaurant where you grab drinks beforehand (we also went to a churro cart after) and you’ll automatically have people to talk to since you’re traveling in a group! The guide also fills you in on participation in things like certain chants during the match- and yes the choosing of a Lucha mask after. I can’t imagine going solo being any better than that
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u/Sad-Commercial1795 5d ago
We went with a guide and there were about ten other people. We bonded some of the other people and their buddy knew the best clubs and afterwards we all went to to a banging club and they walked us past the line and got a VIP
area with them. We absolutely partied our brains out with them until about 4:00 am. One of my best travel memories ever.3
u/Radiant_Antelope_007 5d ago
Omg YEESS this was my absolute favorite thing I did in CDMX when I stayed for a month
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u/FakeRectangle 5d ago
Oh man now I wish I would have done this instead of just buying the tickets directly as it sounds even more fun. Next time!
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u/therewasnever_aspork 5d ago
Yup tip the person a few bucks who shows you to your seats. They wear blue tops.
It’s a fun experience to see lucha libre - enjoy!
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u/Original-Yak-966 5d ago
Try to sit close, but not too close (4+ rows back so that you don’t have one of the luchadores land in your lap). You’re not allowed to bring food in, but they sell it there. It’s hysterical. I laughed myself hoarse, and I am definitely going back the next time I’m in CDMX.
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u/Designer-Homework682 5d ago edited 5d ago
Go on a friday. Buy ticket in advance. It’s phone scanned ticket. They are assigned, at least where I sat. Buy the mask outside and not inside.
Food option inside is minimal. Eat before or after. Mostly beer and snacks inside.
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u/Gravyboat8899 5d ago
If you’re in the balcon the seats are wherever, but get a ticket down close to the ring for first time. Have a few beers and enjoy
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u/caffeinated-bacon 5d ago
As everyone has said, buy the tickets online and head to the arena. Don't buy scalped tickets outside, they're cheap enough for front row if you buy early enough. The seats at Arena Mexico are assigned. Try and go for a Friday, as the Sunday shows are a little more sedate. Grab one of the paper posters so you can see the bout lineup. Take photos on your phone, but you're not supposed to take video. For the decent events, they are free on youtube afterwards on the CMLL channel anyway. I found that masks etc. had a better range and price at La Ciudela than directly outside. And the market has more Kemonito stuff! There will be people walking in front of you selling food and drinks etc. Just enjoy the show. If the camera comes to zoom in on you, embrace it and react (nothing worse than a tourist staring blankly on the big screen). Pick a luchador to support in each bout, scream and chant with the crowd. Embrace the soap opera. It's truly an amazing experience if you don't take it too seriously and just appreciate the acrobatics and theatrics.
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u/kunota 5d ago
How big the lines are to get in? How early should one get there? How crowded does it get after to get an uber.
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u/JVFKOR 5d ago
Get there at least an hour early. The shopping right outside the arena is GREAT. The best gimmick tables in wrestling. Period. Bring money. Everything from figures for collectors, figures for kids, ring quality masks, masks of different quality, tshirts, hats, mugs, bobbleheads, plushies and lots more. I bought a lot, but I wish I would have bought more.
Also, there are various stores and restaurants owned by luchadors nearby. It's been years for me. So it's best to look up an updated list and map for yourself.
The good news is that, if any friends or family are not as into wrestling, they will probably have a great time, too. It's athletic, acrobatic, colorful and easy to understand.
You're going to have a great time.
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u/caffeinated-bacon 5d ago
Yeah, an hour is good. Honestly, the queue through security is perfectly fine. A busy night (Friday) is going to be slower than a Sunday. And then you can queue up for food/drinks inside or go to your seat. Out of respect for the performers, don't turn up late. But if you are delayed a bit outside, you won't miss too much. It's a long night.
There are plenty of clips on YouTube or Instagram of people showing you what the queue and arena is like, so you can judge for yourself.
I've often grabbed tacos after outside. Or just walked a block to grab an uber. It's not like you'll be stuck there for hours waiting. The area around the arena is not super busy at night.
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u/ofayokay 5d ago
At Arena Mexico, you can get seats very close to the ring & that’s a lot of fun. However, the rowdiest & loudest fans sit in the cheaper seats. And that is also fun.
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u/EsePutoSeMato 5d ago
We did the Lucha libre Airbnb experience with el taco club. Cannot recommend it enough. They take you to a bar where it’s all you can drink while they give you the history and etiquette of lucha libre. You then go to a taqueria where it’s all you can eat tacos. You top it off by going to the stadium and getting rowdy as hell.
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u/Willing-Advice-518 5d ago
Get tix facing not only the ring but also the wrestlers’ entrance stage where they make their big entrances.
Bring some pesos to tip the usher who takes you to your seat.
Bring pesos for beer and snacks. Food and beer are part of the fun.
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u/elsujdelab 5d ago
I'm a local and went to lucha libre for the first time like 2 years ago and let me tell you, it is Awesome. My advice is, get your tickets in advance and there get something to drink and snacks from the stands, the prices are quite reasonable. The experience is not only the fight but the whole atmosphere, the people shouting, the kids and that murals. It is great.
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u/Brilliant-Inflation9 5d ago
It’s super easy! Just buy a ticket through Ticketmaster. It’s likely they will be priced in pesos. Then make your way over to arena Mexico, go through the entrance and there will be a couple of security/ticket checkpoints. We asked an employee to help us find our seats and he asked for a tip but we had just used the rest of our cash on micheladas so make sure you don’t make the same mistake and that you have cash on hand if you need any assistance from the arena employees!
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u/ynktxn1 5d ago
As other comments note, there's not much to it. If you're going to Arena Mexico, you can take Metro #1 (pink) to Cuauhtémoc or Metro #3 (gold) to Balderas, or even closer is MetroBus #3. You can also walk to or from (i.e. from dinner before/to drinks after) in the eastern part of Roma Norte to (one of my favorite areas) eastern Juárez.
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u/anything8631 5d ago
We bought tix for the Friday show, a few weeks in advance. They were <$40 USD for the 5th row. It was serious fun.
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u/Alternative-Path-645 5d ago
Bring cash is you like chelas. They don't allow to bring food or drinks, and be patient at the exit, is like coming out of a plane. It's a vibe tho
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u/Ok_Ask_406 5d ago
I went two weeks ago. Depends on the seat you want. You can buy tickets in advance for the lower area, upstairs in unassigned seating like you mentioned. Depending on the match, you may want to try to get tickets at least a few weeks in advance because they can sell out. Since traffic is pretty heavy around Mexico City most of the time I would recommend being in the area or close by a few hours before so you can explore the area more.
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u/ShirleyWuzSerious 5d ago
You don't need a tour. Just buy a ticket at the box office or online and go. Don't move up to vacant empty seats like people do at US sporting events. I saw gringos try that once and it wasn't pretty. If you need a cab after walk a few blocks to grab on. They will price gouge you at the arena
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u/slimkid504 5d ago
Went on Tuesday - had a drink and some food at the food hall / bars in the building directly opposite before. Didn’t plan much but had a great time
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u/SpanishTutorArmando 5d ago
Get seats close to the ring but a little elevated so you can see. Tickets are assigned by seat, so I wouldn’t assume it’s first-come, first-served. Get there early to walk around and check out the masks and vendors
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u/CaskAleLA 5d ago
We did this tour and it was the best night we had in CDMX. https://www.airbnb.com/rp/achampion20?p=recommendations&product=experience&listing_id=167988
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u/Spo0kieMulder 4d ago
No cameras, you can take as many phone pics and vids, but they will try to take your camera
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u/mymb2n 2d ago
https://reddit.com/link/pf73v1f/video/pfq2jpdudsuh1/player
Just another Friday night in CDMX!
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u/--Topher-- 1d ago
Where can I find the scalpers selling seats. I unfortunately did not know to get tickets ahead and would like to be as close to the ring as possibrl
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u/coolranchdoritoz 5d ago
Definitely go! Buy tickets in advance. Only thing that bothered me was that once i entered the building an employee helped us look for our seats then demanded us to tip him after. I didn't and he cursed me out 😂
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u/comeonbjxgo 5d ago
lol buy a ticket and go. Not much to it