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Guadalajara

Mexico

49,850

Stadium Capacity

GDL

Main Airport

86°F

June Avg High

Match Types Hosted

Estadio Akron

Capacity

49,850

Surface

Grass

Opened

2010

Address: Av Estadio s/n, 45019 Zapopan, Jalisco

Match Types Hosted

Group StageRound of 32Round of 16

Getting There

Main Airport

GDL

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport

18 miles (35 min) to stadium

Public Transit

Light RailRideshare

Transit Tips

Macrobús rapid transit available. Uber popular. Taxis plentiful but agree on price first.

Weather & What to Pack

86°F

June High

64°F

June Low

82°F

July High

63°F

July Low

Warm with afternoon rain. Lower altitude than CDMX. More humid.

Where to Stay

Centro Histórico

Colonial architecture, plazas

Zona Rosa

Entertainment and nightlife

Zapopan

$$$

Near stadium, modern area

Tlaquepaque

Artisan markets, traditional

Local Soccer Culture

Supporter Groups

Legión 1908 (Chivas)Libres y Locos (Atlas)

Insider Tips

1
This is the birthplace of tequila AND mariachi. You're legally required to experience both. The town of Tequila is a 1-hour drive.
2
Chivas de Guadalajara is Mexico's most popular club - their stadium (Estadio Akron) is gorgeous and the fans are passionate.
3
Tapatío means "from Guadalajara" - you'll hear it everywhere. The hot sauce is named after this city.
4
The Clásico Tapatío (Chivas vs Atlas) is one of Mexico's fiercest rivalries. Ask locals which side they're on.
5
Guadalajara is more conservative than Mexico City. Dress slightly more modestly, especially in churches and traditional areas.
6
Afternoon storms are common June-July. They pass quickly - wait 30 min and you're good.

Bars & Restaurants

La Fuente

Cantina • Centro

Classic cantina since 1921, ice-cold beer, botanas

Insider Tip: Order a "caguama" (large beer) and the botanas keep coming. This is old-school Guadalajara.

Karne Garibaldi

Restaurant • Multiple locations

Guinness World Record for fastest service - carne en su jugo in 13 seconds

Insider Tip: Not a gimmick - the carne en su jugo is genuinely excellent. Get the works.

Birriería Las 9 Esquinas

Restaurant • Centro

Birria (goat stew) served since 1952

Insider Tip: Birria is Guadalajara's dish. This is the spot. Get a side of consommé for dipping your tacos.

La Tequila

Restaurant • Multiple locations

$$$

Upscale Mexican with 400+ tequila varieties

Insider Tip: Do a tequila tasting flight. Staff will guide you through blanco, reposado, añejo. Education + fun.

Café Madrid

Cafe • Centro

Old-school Spanish cafe, churros, coffee

Insider Tip: Breakfast here feels like stepping back in time. The chocolate con churros is perfection.

La Chata

Restaurant • Centro

Traditional Jalisco cuisine, massive portions

Insider Tip: Get the pozole or the torta ahogada. You will not finish it. That's okay.

Pre-Game Spots

Plaza de Armas

12 miles (but worth visiting)

Main square with colonial architecture and constant activity. Mariachis play here every night.

Zapopan Centro

3 miles

Near the stadium, with the famous Basilica and plenty of restaurants.

Andares Shopping Mall

4 miles

Modern mall near the stadium with bars and restaurants. Good meeting point.

Must-Try Local Food

Torta Ahogada

Pork sandwich "drowned" in spicy tomato sauce. Guadalajara's signature dish. Messy and glorious.

Where to get it: Las Tortas Toño (the original), La Chata, any street vendor

Birria

Slow-cooked goat or beef stew, served with consommé. The OG birria before birria tacos went viral.

Where to get it: Birriería Las 9 Esquinas, Birriería El Chololo

Carne en su Jugo

Beef cooked in its own juices with bacon, beans, and toppings. Guadalajara comfort food.

Where to get it: Karne Garibaldi (fastest), La Gorda (best)

Tejuino

Fermented corn drink with lime and salt, served ice cold. Refreshing and weird. Trust it.

Where to get it: Street vendors throughout Centro

Tequila (properly)

This is the source. Don't shoot it - sip it. Blanco for citrus, reposado for smooth, añejo for complexity.

Where to get it: La Tequila, any cantina, or tour a distillery in Tequila town

Fan FAQs

Should I visit the town of Tequila?

Absolutely. It's 1 hour by car or you can take the Tequila Express tourist train. Tour a distillery, learn the process, taste straight from the barrel. Book in advance.

How does Guadalajara compare to Mexico City?

Smaller, more relaxed, more traditional. Less altitude (5,100 ft vs 7,350 ft). Easier to navigate. More conservative culture. Some say it's "more Mexican" than cosmopolitan CDMX.

Is the stadium far from downtown?

Yes, Estadio Akron is in Zapopan, about 12 miles from Centro. Plan for 30-45 minutes by Uber. Stay in Zapopan if you want walkable access.

What's the Clásico Tapatío?

Chivas vs Atlas - two Guadalajara teams with a fierce rivalry. Ask any local which side they're on. It's serious business. Don't wear the wrong colors in the wrong neighborhood.

Is Guadalajara safe?

Generally yes in tourist areas. Centro, Zapopan, Tlaquepaque are well-patrolled. Use Uber at night, stay aware, don't flash valuables. Standard city precautions.

Budget Tips

Uber is king here. Cheap and reliable. A 20-minute ride is $3-5.
Tortas ahogadas from street vendors are $2-3 and are the real deal.
The Macrobús (rapid transit) costs a few pesos and covers the main corridor.
Cantinas serve free botanas with drinks - your beer comes with snacks.
Tlaquepaque has better artisan prices than tourist shops downtown.
Tequila distillery tours include tastings - you don't need to buy.

Hidden Gems

Tlaquepaque - artisan village with blown glass, pottery, and traditional crafts. Touristy but worth it. Better prices than downtown.
Tonalá - the less touristy version of Tlaquepaque. Massive artisan market on Thursdays and Sundays.
Instituto Cultural Cabañas - UNESCO World Heritage site with Orozco murals. One of the most powerful art experiences in Mexico.
Guachimontones - ancient circular pyramids 1 hour outside the city. Rarely visited, mind-blowing.
Lake Chapala - Mexico's largest lake, 45 minutes away. Expat community, seafood restaurants, mountain views.
Mercado San Juan de Dios - Latin America's largest indoor market. You can find literally anything.

Local Lingo

“Tapatío/Tapatía”

Person from Guadalajara. Use it with pride.

“¡Arriba las Chivas!”

Go Chivas! (Only if you want to pick a side. Atlas fans will not appreciate this.)

“Está con madre”

That's awesome. Very Jalisco expression.

“¡Salud!”

Cheers! Used when drinking tequila. Essential vocabulary.

“Mariachi”

You know it. But here, it's everywhere and it's the real thing.

Local Voices

Insider tips from the fans who know Guadalajara best

Legión 1908

@legion1908

Instagram78K followers

Chivas de Guadalajara Ultras

“Estadio Akron is beautiful but the real atmosphere is at Chivas matches, not World Cup. Come to a Liga MX game while you're here - the tifo, the singing, the passion. That's real Mexican football.”

OG SupporterMatch Day VibesLatino/a

Tequila Queen Rosa

@tequilaqueen_gdl

TikTok156K followers

Tequila & Football Creator

“Do NOT drink tequila shots at the stadium - you'll miss the game. Do a proper tasting in the town of Tequila (1 hour away) the day before. José Cuervo and Mundo Cuervo are tourist-friendly but Fortaleza is for connoisseurs.”

Food & CultureWomen in SoccerTravel

Javier "Chicharito" Hernández Fan Account

@gdl_rojiblanco

Instagram34K followers

Guadalajara Soccer Historian

“Plaza Liberación downtown fills with fans before and after matches. Find a cantina, order a torta ahogada (our signature dish), and watch the city come alive. Mariachi included.”

OG SupporterFood & Culture

Libres y Locos Atlas

@libresylocos_

Instagram45K followers

Atlas FC Supporter Group

“The Clásico Tapatío (Chivas vs Atlas) is one of the most intense rivalries in Mexico. If both teams play during the World Cup, the city will be split in two. Pick a side wisely.”

OG SupporterMatch Day VibesLatino/a