We went to see a match in the most beautiful stadium in the world, the BBVA Bancomer in Monterrey

Modern stadium with an unobstructed view of a mountain, boiling Mexican atmosphere… we went to see a Liga MX match at the BBVA Bancomer in Monterrey where the Rayados play. The nearly 52,000-seat arena is (in our opinion) the most beautiful stadium in the world. We tell you about the eventful and tasty experience.

Such a beautiful stadium, you deserve it. A few weeks before my departure on vacation to Mexico, I discovered that the Rayados, nickname given to the players of the futbol club of Monterrey, played at home during my visit. I knew the other club in town, the Tigres d’Andre Pierre Gignac, but I had never heard of CFM. An opportunity like this cannot be missed. Especially since following my research, my Instagram algorithm, this trickster, offers me photos of the stadium. He looks sublime.

A week before the match, I crack. I reserve four tickets, the cheapest (just over €20 per seat), on the Ticketmaster platform. By taking care to choose the grandstand which offers a view of the famous mountain. Condition sine qua non for the arrival of my sweetheart who is always reluctant to watch the slightest football match.

Printed tickets… in a pharmacy

So far so good. At least, until I realize, 24 hours before the meeting, that it is imperative to print the tickets in an authorized Ticketmaster center. Impossible to enter the stadium with a QR code as you can do in France. These centers, there are almost everywhere in the four corners of Monterrey, except that it is Sunday. The first one you visit, after a short half-hour walk, is out of order. The second… does not exist or no longer exists. We are losing patience. We finally decide to walk an additional two kilometers to print our tickets at a pharmacy certified by Ticketmaster. Yes, a pharmacy. Our efforts are rewarded, we emerge, relieved, from the pharmacy with our precious tickets.

Immediate love at first sight

6 p.m., kick-off is in an hour, we get in an Uber in the direction of the stadium. It is located in the district of Guadalupe, to the south-east of the immense agglomeration of Monterrey (3 million inhabitants anyway). Our driver leaves us, a bit in a hurry, on the edge of the ring road. Folk. We cross this six-lane axis on a bridge that gives us a first glimpse of the Estadio BBVA Bancomer.

Photo Thibaut DALEGRE

Love at first sight is immediate. Inaugurated in 2015, this 270 m long steel colossus with an avant-garde design looks really good from the outside. Its rounded shapes make me think of theOrange Velodrome.

In its spans, the effervescence rises slowly. We go around it to reach our platform. In this one, the placement is free. Only the parking lot reserved for Ultras is inaccessible. The latter are searched a second time before entering their block.

Photo Thibaut DALEGRE

“Are they going to yell like that all game?” »

And then comes the moment we’ve all been waiting for when taming a new stadium. That moment when, after climbing many steps, you finally enter the grandstand. We discover the setting, its architecture and its lawn. Time freezes.

The setting here is breathtaking. The sun slowly sets over the mountain. To our left, the Ultras are beginning to warm their voices. “Are they going to yell like that all game?” “, is surprised my girlfriend. I nod my head.

The 22 actors enter the arena. If I am an assiduous follower of European football, I admit not knowing any. Quick topo on the sporting level: the Rayados, leaders of the championship, receive Santos Laguna, 13th. The balance of power is a bit unbalanced on paper. It will not be seen more than that on the ground.

The match begins, the premises offer themselves the first opportunities. Then, they opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Euphoria seizes the enclosure. The racket intensifies.

@sportbuzzbusiness We went to see a match in the most beautiful stadium in the world, the BBVA Bancomer in Monterrey #stade #stadium #mexico #Mexico #bbvabancomer #bbvastadium #stadiobbva #monterrey #CFM #ligaMX #scratches #fanexperience ♬ son original – Sport Buzz Business

I discover that Rayados appreciate chambering. The whole gallery sings a not very complimentary song with regard to the adversary of the day. “Solo comen tunas, son los putos de Laguna”, we distinguish in the din. I’ll pass the translation on to you. Especially since karma is already pointing the tip of its nose. Three minutes after the opener, one of the midfielders of Santos Laguna, Brunetta, conditioned the BBVA Bancomer by equalizing.

This is half time. Supporters descend on the lawn to take part in a rather playful little game, according to the bursts of laughter from the public. The equivalent in our country of the penos session organized between two teams of young people from the region. We barely have time to order a pint of Tecate (120 pesos or 6 euros each), official sponsor of the club, and the match resumes.

Photo Thibaut DALEGRE

The second half is contested. The Rayados grow, but do not find the fault. Before being punished on the gong. The referee whistles a penalty for the visitors in the 94th. Preciado does not need to be asked to transform it and offer an unexpected victory to Santos Laguna. Unexpected 2-1 defeat of Monterrey. Am I a black cat? Maybe.

The essential is elsewhere: we took a huge step to discover this sumptuous setting which combines modernity and proximity to mother nature. I have no doubt that groundhoppers – those who “collect stadiums” – and others as well, will fall in love with this extraordinary stadium.

If you are looking for a good opportunity to discover it, know that the Liga will organize a preseason match there, on August 2, between theAtletico Madrid and the Real society. The enclosure is also one of the three Mexican stadiums which will host matches of the World Cup 2026 of football.

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