How to Buy Football Tickets in Buenos Aires
Football in Argentina has a legendary status around the world. Football (or soccer) is a religion here – something that can only be truly experienced by going to watch a match in Buenos Aires.
No doubt you’ve already heard something of the crazy football fans and unique atmosphere that is present at these football matches. Seeing a game for yourself is a must-do in Argentina. However, buying tickets is not a straightforward process. If you’re thinking of seeing a game, first read this guide on how to buy football tickets in Buenos Aires.
Getting tickets to AFA (Argentina Football Association) League games is not straightforward / Source
How to Buy Tickets for Boca Juniors
Buying football tickets for a Boca Juniors game at the famous La Bombonera (chocolate box) stadium in La Boca is not easy. There are no ordinary tickets for games at La Bombonera. Season tickets are sold to members of the club. There are 60,000 season ticket holders and only 47,000 seats so, as you can imagine, there is high demand for a seat at each game.
There are two ways to get a seat:
- It is possible to buy a ticket from the scalpers outside the stadium who will give you someone else’s member card. However, there is no guarantee with these tickets. Some people get into the stadium without a problem, while others don’t and lose their money.
- A safer way is to book with an established tourist agency. These tickets are more expensive but guarantee you a seat. These Boca Juniors football tours include transfers to and from the game and a guide who will accompany you.
La Bombonera is Argentina’s most famous football stadium / Source
Getting Tickets to River Plate
Buying tickets to a River Plate game, the other big team in the league, is similar to a Boca Juniors game, since River Plate has also started using the membership system. However, River Plate’s stadium, El Monumental, has a much higher capacity than La Bombonera, with over with 65,000 seats. The best way to go to a game at El Monumental is by booking a River Plate Football Package.
Tickets to the Primera División
Don’t limit yourself to just Boca Juniors and River Plate games. The rest of Argentina’s Primera División (Premier Division) is just as exciting. The other teams rounding out the big 5 in the division are Racing, Independiente and San Lorenzo. These teams attract big crowds and great atmospheres. Keep an eye out on the teams’ websites to find out when tickets go on sale, or book a football package to the game of your choice.
When going to a local game in Buenos Aires, keep the following things in mind:
- No away supporters are allowed at games in an effort to curb fights between rival football fans;
- Check the official colours of the teams playing before the match. It is best to wear the colours of the home team or neutral colours;
- The season runs from August to May, and is divided into two tournaments: the Inicial and Final.
El Monumental is home to River Plate, one of Argentina’s biggest football teams / Source
International Matches
If you want to see some of South America’s top league teams compete, book tickets to a Libertadores Cup game. These fixtures are even easier to get seats to if you pick one of the smaller Argentine teams going up against one of the bigger teams from another country.
This year, it is also the Copa Ámerica. The national teams from South America, and Mexico and Jamaica, will be competing in Chile from 11 June to 4 July. Some of the biggest stars from the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be in action, including Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero and Javier Mascherano, Brazil’s Neymar, and Colombia’s James Rodriguez. While not in Argentina, if you’re a big football fan and travelling to South America at this time, consider an itinerary in Argentina that includes Mendoza, which is just a scenic bus ride from Santiago, Chile.
Whatever games you decide to attend, you’ll be sure to have a memorable time experiencing the passion that Argentines have for football!
Click here to book a Football Experience in Buenos Aires
Nicole Eberhard
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