Estadio Jalisco - Atlas F.C.
- Ben Alkaly
- Oct 28
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 4
Photos by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Estadio Jalisco C. Siete Colinas 1772
Independencia, 44290 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico
Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 53,961
Guadalajara Fútbol
When you think of Mexican fútbol (soccer), for many the name Chivas de Guadalajara immediately pops to mind. But what if we told you there was another option to watch top-flight Liga MX fútbol in Mexico’s second city, closer to town and at fan-friendly prices? While Chivas plies its trade at the gleaming Estadio Akron on Guadalajara’s outskirts, its former home Estadio Jalisco – in the northeasterly Independencia neighborhood – hosts both Atlas F.C. as well as second-division Leones Negros.
Opened in 1960 and maintaining a retro feel, Estadio Jalisco is unlikely to win any beauty contests, but it is Mexico’s third-largest stadium and hosted matches in the 1970 and 1986 World Cups. It’s also featured some pretty good club fútbol in recent years; Atlas ended a 70-year title drought in December 2021, and then repeated the feat six months later to become only the third team in Liga MX history to win back-to-back titles (the league plays two mini-seasons per year).
Combine the quality on-field product with a spirited, grassroots scene both inside and outside the stadium, and you’ve got yourself one fine sports fan experience.
Food & Beverage 4
Mexico is synonymous with sensational street food, and you’d be wise to arrive at Estadio Jalisco at least an hour before kickoff to scope out the offerings on the four streets bordering the venue. It’s built right into the neighborhood, so you’ll find tacos al pastor, tortas ahogadas (the signature “drunken” sandwich of Guadalajara), elotes (corn), churros, and more wafting from both brick-and-mortar establishments and temporary carts. For a DIY drinking experience, grab a cerveza or canned cocktail from the Oxxo mini-market on Calle Monte Carlo and stroll until finding your meal of choice, beverage in hand.
Inside the gates, concessions are simple but satisfying; think crispy tacos dorados, popcorn and chips (drenched in chile and lime, the Mexican way), hot dogs, and the usual beverage selections. There are also offerings from local fast food outlets, including mini-pizzas and chicken fingers. Service lines can get congested close to kickoff, so it’s best to grab your food early or flag down one of the many vendors roaming the aisles.
If you’re a stadium concession connoisseur, Estadio Jalisco has an incredible option for you: A ticket in the San Matías Premier section, starting at around $50, includes four beers, two hot dogs or sandwiches, and unlimited snacks and soft drinks, brought directly to your seat by attentive stadium employees constantly asking if you’d like anything else. I opted for this package – mainly to guarantee a seat in the lower level near center pitch – and left stuffed to the gills.
Atmosphere 3
As alluded to above, Estadio Jalisco is at one with its community, not buffered by an endless parking lot like a modern-day fortress. The pregame hub of activity is along the stadium’s east side, in Plaza Brazil. There you’ll find brand activations, inflatable test-your-skill stations, and pumping music. Interspersed with the street food vendors are merchandise tents, where you can outfit yourself in red and black Atlas gear at a fraction of official team store prices.
Inside, the gameday fervor will depend on Los Rojinegros’ fortunes and the caliber of opponent. For the early season match I attended vs. Santos Laguna, not a traditional rival, the stadium was at roughly 40% capacity. Expect greater fervor for the annual Clásico Tapatío vs. Chivas, when Mexico City giants Clúb América come to town, or the biannual Liga MX Playoffs.
As with most Mexican sporting events, there are spirited PA announcements and numerous in-game advertisements. An investment in new, 4K video boards would go a long way, as the two current monitors high above each goal are small and outdated by modern standards. And speaking of retro: There is a ring of “luxury boxes” circling the lower level of seats. Only a fraction were in use, and those that weren’t had a simple piece of plywood keeping them closed.
Neighborhood 3
The working-class Colonia Independencia, around three miles or a 15-minute drive from the historical center of Guadalajara, is not overly polished, but it is authentic. Expect to mix with families, lifelong fans, and street performers drumming up excitement before the gates open.
Although a rideshare driver warned me about the neighborhood, safety is generally fine on matchdays when exhibiting typical urban awareness. With “strength in numbers,” I felt completely at ease walking several blocks west of Estadio Jalisco post-match to hail a DiDi (Mexico’s local, cheaper alternative to Uber).
If you prefer to linger after the final whistle, options abound for a late-night bite or celebratory drink, especially along Calzada Independencia and nearby avenues.
Fans 3
Atlas supporters are collectively nicknamed La Fiel (“The Faithful”), apropos because they endured seven decades between enjoying the fruits of a championship. The most fervent among La Fiel call themselves La Barra 51 and set up in the lower level behind the north touchline. While this is a passionate group with the requisite standing, chanting, and flag-waving throughout the match, I have observed larger and more frenetic supporters’ groups at other stadiums across Latin America.
The scene was predictably more subdued in my high-priced, food-focused section.
Access 3
Getting to Jalisco is straightforward but can be hectic. The Macrobus rapid transit line runs directly along Calzada Independencia, just steps from the stadium, while several local bus routes also serve the area. If coming from the city center, Colonia America, or Zapopan – the areas you’ll likely be staying in as a visitor – it’s best to rely on Uber or Didi. Fares are cheap, and available drivers are plentiful.
If you’re driving, be warned: parking is limited and informal, often relying on small private lots or curbside attendants. Arriving early is strongly advised.
I found stadium ingress and egress to be easy. There are numerous entry gates, and once inside, you can circle the concourse until you find your seating section.
Note that fans are required to upload personal info and a selfie to a Mexican Football Federation app before entry, an effort to curb hooliganism. You can scan a QR code outside the gate and complete the process in minutes, mobile reception permitting.
Return on Investment 5
There are ticket prices to match every budget at Estadio Jalisco. The least expensive way through the gates is an upper-level seat starting at 175 pesos (around $10). If you’d like to sit closer to the action, lower-tier tickets can be had for roughly $17.
Atlas adjusts its ticket pricing based on the caliber of the match. It will cost more to attend the crosstown showdown vs. Chivas, and with both fanbases vying for tickets, you may need to purchase an official Atlas club membership card to guarantee ticket access. StubHub operates in Mexico, so that is always an option.
If your goal is to just check Estadio Jalisco off your bucket list, then look at attending a Leones Negros match, which will be even more wallet-friendly than seeing Atlas.
Extras 3
Guadalajara is known as the City of Eternal Spring and definitely warrants a few days of exploration. Most visitors make the “pilgrimage” to the town of Tequila about an hour away, where legendary names like Jose Cuervo and Sauza were born. There are countless tour options so you don’t need to worry about driving.
The Centro Historico is rich with colonial architecture and the hustle and bustle one expects in a large Latin American city. It’s Mercado Libertad is one of the largest indoor markets in the world and sells just about anything you can imagine under one roof, from food to crafts to home goods to clothing. You can pick up an “authentic” Atlas or Chivas jersey for well under $10.
Southeast of the city center is Tlaqueplaque, known as the home of mariachi music and an array of traditional restaurants.
Final Thoughts
Estadio Jalisco isn’t perfect, but rather it's imperfect in the most endearing ways. The aging concrete, the echoing chants, the scent of grilled meat in the air coalesce to create something few modern sports venues can replicate. You truly feel at one with the proud residents of Guadalajara while sitting in its creaking seats.
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