The event couldn’t come at a more exciting time for Mexico City and the venue. Renovations to modernize the stadium are expected to be completed soon. Mexico’s national team is expected to play on opening night — and you can bet on it being a rowdy time to be in the Mexican capital. Traveling to CDMX for the World Cup will be unforgettable. Here’s how to plan your trip.
Photo: evgenii mitroshin /Shutterstock
Like most major international capitals, Mexico City is made up of a collection of distinctive and diverse neighborhoods. Tourists generally stay in the heart of the city, in neighborhoods like La Condesa, Roma Norte, Roma Sur, Juárez, and Polanco. Further south and closer to the stadium, Coyoacán is a historic neighborhood home to boutique hotels, a thriving market, and the iconic Frida Kahlo House Museum.
While it’s tempting to stay as close as possible to the games, the immediate area around the stadium is pretty grim, with limited hotel options and nightlife. It’s advisable to stay in a well-connected neighborhood and travel to the stadium via light rail (Tren Ligero), Uber, or authorized fan shuttles. Avoid renting a car — driving in Mexico City can be a nightmare, and parking near the FIFA Fan Festival or stadium is limited.
Instead, consider staying near the designated fan zone to enjoy the festivities. The official FIFA Fan Festival is scheduled to take place at Zócalo Square, with 16 additional fan zones planned — one in each of the city’s boroughs.
If you plan to attend a match at Estadio Azteca, aim to arrive early. The stadium’s surroundings will be bustling with fans and vendors offering food, drinks, souvenirs, and more. Purchasing food and beverages outside the stadium is more economical than inside. Bring cash, and if you purchase from vendors offering seat-to-seat service inside the stadium, consider tipping them 20 pesos.
Photo: Santiago Castillo Chomel /Shutterstock
Most visitors base themselves in the heart of the city, in neighborhoods like La Condesa, Roma Norte, Roma Sur, Juárez, and Polanco, where hotels, restaurants, and nightlife are concentrated.
The neighborhoods of La Condesa, Hipódromo, and both Roma Norte and Roma Sur are filled with tree-lined boulevards, historic apartment buildings, and a strong café culture along iconic commercial avenues. Here, tables spill onto the sidewalks as locals and visitors gather at coffeehouses, restaurants, and pubs along Avenida Ámsterdam, Avenida Álvaro Obregón, and around Parque México. The area is popular with expats and travelers and is home to many hotels and excellent Airbnb rentals.
Photo: Santiago Castillo Chomel /Shutterstock
Further south and closer to the stadium, Coyoacán is a historic neighborhood home to boutique hotels, a well-known market, and the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul). It sits roughly midway between the city center and Estadio Azteca, making it a ideal for those who want easier access to match-day action without giving up things to do between games.
While it’s tempting to stay as close as possible to Estadio Azteca, the immediate area around the stadium is primarily residential, with limited hotel options and nightlife. Staying in a well-connected neighborhood and traveling to matches tends to be the better experience overall.
From central neighborhoods, plan on roughly 40 minutes by car without traffic or longer on public transit to reach the stadium. The most reliable options are the light rail (Tren Ligero), Uber, or authorized fan shuttles. Avoid renting a car — driving in Mexico City can be a challenge, and parking near the stadium and FIFA Fan Festival is limited.
Instead, consider proximity to the city’s fan zones when choosing where to stay. The official FIFA Fan Festival is scheduled to take place at Zócalo, with 16 additional fan zones planned across the city’s boroughs, making it easy to tap into the atmosphere even when you don’t have a match ticket.
Photo: Aleksandr Medvedkov/Shutterstock
Mexico City is full of die-hard soccer fans. Show up when league play is happening in Mexico and you can join an experience such as the “Experience a Mexico City match day like a local,” which includes pick-up in Condesa, Polanco, or Roma; pre-gaming over tacos and beers; and a game.
What’s on offer during the World Cup may vary — keep an eye out for reliable Airbnb Experiences during your stay for tours that take you beyond the game itself.
Price: From $153 per person
Photo: Wirestock Creators /Shutterstock
Watch parties tend to pop up in Parque México during major events, including the World Cup. Even if you plan to head to a pub or the stadium itself, the park is a good meeting place for people staying in the central part of the city. It’s also often one of the best ways to keep tabs on what’s happening elsewhere.
Parque México: Av. México s/n, Hipódromo
La Cervecería de Barrio is a chain with locations throughout the city center, and its Polanco outpost is particularly great for watching matches. The bar fills up and tends to get a bit rowdy, depending on who’s playing. The spot is especially popular when Mexican, American, and European teams play, with flowing beers turning the space into a festive hub of energy.
Cerveceria de Barrio: Euler 145, Polanco, Polanco V Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560
Every soccer-obsessed neighborhood needs a good sports bar, and in Coyoacán, that bar is Sport and Chips Coyoacán. The local crowd hangs out here alongside visiting fans, and everyone enjoys tapas plates and a steady flow of beers. Games are broadcast on a jumbotron-style screen in the center of the room.
Sport and Chips Coyoacán: Avenida Miguel Ángel de Quevedo, San Andrés 1144, Coyoacán, 04040
The players, coaches, and directors of the World Cup teams have to eat too. Your odds of spotting soccer royalty are pretty high at Sylvestre, a high-end steakhouse that tends to draw a celebrity crowd. Make your reservation as early as possible — you never know who you’ll run into at the bar.
Sylvestre: Anatole France 74, Polanco
Photo courtesy Dog House Pub
If watching matches in a park isn’t your jam, head to The Dog House Pub in Juárez, a British-owned soccer bar. The place comes alive on match days and will be a central hub for the World Cup, especially when European teams are playing. The walls are lined with massive TVs and soccer memorabilia.
The Dog House Pub: Sinaloa 61, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700
We hope you love the spaces we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.
A hotel that serves a high-class buffet breakfast on its rooftop patio is always welcome — especially after a late night celebrating a World Cup match. Andaz, a Hyatt subsidiary, is a comfortable hotel in a walkable location just south of Parque México. The rooms are contemporary, with design elements that reflect the building’s mid-century modern aesthetic. The rooftop pool offers a spectacular view.
Photo: Tim Wenger
Just off Av. Paseo de la Reforma in Juárez, Volga is one of the most unique hotels in Mexico City. Each room faces a central interior lounge, with a rooftop swim channel and bar that overlook the city. Its restaurant, Elora, blends Mediterranean and Mexican flavors and highlights the hotel’s exceptional cocktail program.
Read Matador’s full review of Volga
Photo: Airbnb
A patio is a must in Mexico, and this apartment offers a private one that’s perfect for pregaming before heading to the pub or the stadium. From here, you can walk, head to the nearby transit station, or call a rideshare to pick you up right out front. The bedroom opens directly onto the patio, making this a great spot for couples.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: From $100 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Views of the city abound from this spacious flat high above street level. Polanco is all about stylish living, and this spot embodies that with an open floor plan, a cozy courtyard, onsite laundry, and a classic taco shop just up the road. This rental is affordable and ideal for groups and families.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: From $200 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This first-floor loft in Mexico City is perfect for soccer fans who want to join a walking tour, with easy access to the market and surrounding murals. It’s also just a quick rideshare from the UNAM stadium. Featuring a private patio, the space provides an inviting outdoor area to relax. The interior has contemporary design elements, including a fully equipped kitchen, high-speed Wi-Fi, and enough living space to unwind between matches.
Three guests, one bedroom
Price: From $100 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This historic Polanco loft blends vintage charm and modern comfort. The space features high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and large windows that flood the interior with natural light, creating an inviting atmosphere. It’s equipped with contemporary amenities, including a fully stocked kitchen and high-speed Wi-Fi, and is within walking distance of the heart of the neighborhood. To get to the FIFA Fan Festival, you can walk, bike, or book a rideshare. 
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: From $200 per night