Estadio BBVA - Club de Fútbol Monterrey
- Ben Alkaly
- 11 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Photos by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57
Estadio BBVA Av. Pablo Livas 2011
Colonia La Pastora
67140 Guadalupe
Nuevo León, Mexico
Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 53,529
Estadio BBVA – Monterrey, México
“She’s a beaut, Clark!”
That classic line from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation echoed through my head as I made my way towards Estadio BBVA under a hot Mexican sun for a 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Match between the Netherlands and Morocco. Generically rebranded as “Monterrey Stadium/Estadio Monterrey” for the world’s biggest sporting event, this modern stunner set in the shadow of Cerro de la Silla frequently appears on lists of “World’s Best Stadiums” … and for good reason.
Food & Beverage 3
Having attended for a World Cup match - instead of seeing Estadio BBVA’s usual tenants, Club de Fútbol Monterrey (nicknamed Los Rayados) - this is the first of several sections that will have an asterisk. FIFA orchestrated a full stadium takeover for its showpiece event (as evident by the name change), and that included concession options.
The concourse offerings were adapted for an international palate, generally not straying too far from the hot dog, popcorn, and basic pizza options now found the world over. However, there were a few nods to the local, meat-centric food culture, as my buddy found a bag of chicharrones (deep-fried pork belly). Let’s just say he wishes he hadn’t finished the entire serving.
Beverage prices appeared to be inflated by FIFA, matching the high ticket costs. A bottle of still water ran 80 MXN (around $4) but doubled in price if you wanted the luxury of carbonation (sodas included). Beers were in the 300 MXN/$15 range, which would be unheard of for matches in the local league.
One thing that remained uniquely Mexican was the constant stream of concessionaires waltzing their way through the stands. Most anything available on the concourse could be had at your seat. And unlike a typical U.S. stadium, where alcohol sales are cut off at a certain point, a beer could still be purchased at the start of penalty kicks, after 120 minutes of fútbol.
Atmosphere 4
The design of Estadio BBVA is intentional, with a dramatic dip in the roof and several rows in the south end zone. The reason is to afford visitors a perfect view of the emerald green Cerro de la Silla (“Saddle Hill”), which reaches a dramatic peak of 5,970 feet about a mile and a half beyond the stadium. The fútbol gods shone upon me as I entered from the north, randomly chose a tunnel towards the stands, and was bestowed with the perfectly-framed, jaw-dropping vantage point you see in the top photo.
Beyond this signature landmark, Estadio BBVA impresses in other areas. It’s much more polished and well-maintained than your typical Latin American stadium, owing to Monterrey’s status as Mexico’s most prosperous city. It’s also one of the country’s hottest, making the expansive roof canopy especially welcome. Rows are steep, and prepare to be out of breath if hiking to your seats near the top of the venue.
The stadium feels bigger than its 53,000+ seats, but sightlines are great throughout, with no obstructed views or quirky angles. That's the beauty of a modern oval.
Neighborhood 3
Estadio BBVA is not technically in Monterrey, but rather about six miles slightly southeast of the city center in the suburb of Guadalupe. Most fans will approach from the north, where the local neighborhood is separated from the stadium by Río La Silla. Parallel to the riverbed is Avenida Las Torres, with restaurants, bars, stores, and street vendors increasing in number as you walk east.
Another pre- and postgame gathering spot lies just south of the Exposición metro stop, in an expansive fairgrounds complex. Expect the smells of livestock stalls to hit you in the face, but further south towards the stadium are taco and souvenir vendors, as well as several open-air music venues where Norteño bands were keeping the party going well into the evening.
Back in Monterrey proper, tourists tend to congregate in the Barrio Antiguo, its compact historic quarter with colorful colonial architecture and greatest concentration of nightlife.
Fans 4
You would never know this was a neutral-site match, judging by the fervor of the primarily Mexican crowd. They mainly sided with Morocco, on account of the Netherlands’ controversial win over Mexico in the 2014 World Cup, coincidentally played 12 years ago to the day. The traveling Moroccan contingent was mostly clustered behind one goal, with Dutch supporters scattered throughout.
Mexican fútbol fans are simultaneously passionate and fickle. When the action slowed in the first half, with numerous back-passes, the crowd hissed and whistled their displeasure. On the flipside, when the action reached a fever pitch in the second half and extra time, with numerous scoring chances, they were on the edge of their seats, with “ooooh”s and “aaaah”s aplenty.
Access 3
This is another area where the World Cup does not represent the typical experience at a Rayados league match. Several access points were closed, including along the aforementioned Avenida Las Torres. That said, regardless of competition, most fans will enter from the north, with many taking the metro line to Estación Exposición and walking 15 minutes due south. At approximately 35 cents per ride, the price can’t be beat, but on busy matchdays you may need to wait for a train back to the center, and it will be packed.
Uber is prevalent in Monterrey, as is the local equivalent, DiDi. In numerous trips to Mexico, I’ve found DiDi cheaper but Uber more reliable, as DiDi drivers are more likely to cancel the ride after accepting it. For those bold enough to drive in urban Mexican traffic, there are lots to the east and south of Estadio BBVA, with Estacionamiento 4 the largest.
Once inside the premises, wayfinding is rather straightforward; just note the entrance gate and access corridor on your ticket. The concourse circles the top of the 100 level, and for those in the 200s, there are escalators. The team shop is along the south side of the stadium.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets to Rayados home matches will vary quite a bit depending on the opponent, seat location, and whether it's a regular-season, cup competition, or playoff match. Expect to pay as little as 300 MXN pesos (approx. $15) for an upper-level seat, to 700-1,200 MXN for something in the corner of the lower levels, all the way up to 2,500 MXN for primo seats to an in-demand match, like the heated local rivalry vs. Tigres UANL. You may also find VIP packages that include a premium seat location with included food and drinks.
Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster, and unlike the U.S., where you can buy tickets as soon as a team’s schedule is announced, they are generally available about 3-4 weeks in advance.
Extras 4
Northern Mexico is cowboy country, and meat is consumed in mass quantities. Try carne seca, which is a dry, thin beef jerky, and do not miss a visit to El Rey de Cabrito on the edge of Barrio Antiguo. Here, baby goat is the specialty, meant to be eaten communally in the restaurant’s ostentatious, chandelier- and mirror-clad dining rooms.
Owing to its location in a deep valley surrounded by mountains, Monterrey is a hiker’s paradise. You can climb (or drive to) Cerro de Silla, which is part of Cumbres de Monterrey National Park. Other scenic destinations within easy reach of the city are Chipinque Ecological Park and La Huasteca Ecological Park.
The Salón de la Fama del Beisbol Mexicano (Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame) is on the western edge of Parque Fundidora, while the local team Sultanes de Monterrey – whose logo is very Yankees-esque – play in Walmart Park.
Completed in 2020, Torres Obispado is the tallest skyscraper in Latin America at 1,002 ft.
