Football, Buenos Aires

Going to a football match (soccer for americans) is something you have to do. Football here is a big passion and the people really add an extra something to the sport.
Everyone goes to see Boca, but in my opinion you should see River. River's stadium is nicer and also its located on a better neighbourhood so after or before the game you can explore that area.

On arrival in Argentina, I wanted to experience Argentine Polo. I found by chance an English Sports and Travel agency based In Buenos Aires called Playargentina which offered incredible prices not only for Polo but for other equestrian activities. I strongly recommend the Estancia rides and the Polo. Hooked now and can not wait to return to Argentina to ride more.

Equipment: If can rent or borrow all from the schools

I used the services of GoFootball. They came to my apartment to pick me up and then took me to the River Plate stadium.

The River Plate stadium is a large, coliseum type stadium. There is a football patch with a running track surrounding it. We we seated on the reserved seat section on the second deck.

Almost the entire home side of the stadium was completely packed. The "hooligans" are standing in the sections behind the goals. They are singing and waving flags the enire game.

After the game we were wisked away in vans that were park pretty much right outside the stadium.

The total cost for this game was $100 peso.

Equipment: If you are going to a River Plate game, either wear neutral colors or a River Plate shirt.

A must see activity in Buenos Aires is attending either Boca Jr. or River Plate soccer game. I got to see the Boca Jrs. play International (Brazil) and it was INSANE.

We Americans don't get too many opportunities to see quality soccer, so this is a big treat if you're traveling to BA from the states.

Of the 3 football games I've seen in Argentina, "La Bombonera", Boca Juniors stadium is the best by far. Not matter where you sit you feel like you are right on top of the field. It was a much better atmoshpere than the River Plate stadium.

The engergy of the crowd in "La Bombonera" is electrifying. The stadium is like the Fenway Park or Wrigley Field of soccer. The crowd is waving flags and singing the whole game. Just like in those classic American baseball parks, the crowd is very much into the game and everyone in the stands is a critic of every play.

At the match I saw between Boca and Olimpo, Diego Maradona, the most famous Boca Juniors and Argentine soccer player made an appearence.

Used the services of GoFootball.com.ar. The cost for the Boca Juniors game was $120 pesos. They pick you up at your hotel/apartment. A guide takes you into the reserved seat area of the stadium and is with you throughout the game. Afterwards they drop back off at your hotel/apartment.

Equipment: DO NOT WEAR any other football clothing except Boca when you attend the game!

Before entering the game, the guide expressly warned us not to cheer for any other team except the home team(Boca). In his words "it's a matter of life and death".

BsAs is football crazy with 20 stadiums in the area. Passions run so high that not only is alcohol not served in the stadium, it is not served in the surrounding area on game day either. Game day is a very colorful time, filled with songs, chants, drums and a very large police presence.

Equipment: try these websites for starters for a few of the many clubs in town:

http://www.bocajuniors.com.ar
http://www.racingclub.com.ar
http://www.independiente.com/

Boca Juniors stadium, "La Bombonera" (Chocolate box), is the main football temple in Argentina. You must go, see its excellent team and its superb supporters, "La 12" (The player number 12).
Boca Juniors is the current (2004) World Champion.

Equipment: Buy the best tickets, are cheaper than Europa or USA. Outside the Stadium, be careful, don't speak too much in other languages and don't show cameras. Step out before match ends.

Club Atletico Boca Juniors is the football team Maradona played for and supports. Its one of the two most popular teams in Argentina, the blue and "gold" are its colours and the stadium is located at the neighbourhood of the same name.

The stadium can hold up to 60 thousand people. Founded in 1940 people call it "La Bombonera" which means "the chocolate box".

At the entrance there s an arts mural painted in blue and yellow by the excellent artist Benito Quinquela Martín welcoming visitors.
On the outside entrance theres another mural by the welll known artist Pérez Celis.

Nearby, on Brandsen street is the "Museo de la Pasion Boquense" which holds a large colection of objects and pictures that will tell you the history of this football team.

In order to find out when theres a game you can watch, try the fixture at http://www2.afa.uolsinectis.com.ar/Torneos_Locales/Primera_A/Tablas_Torneo/Home.htm?Op=201&pSolapa=1&pTorneo=1726

"The best way to get tickets is to go one or two days before the match and pick them up from scalpers. Make sure they are real ones though. DO NOT GO THROUGH AN AGENCY, that is the way they rip you off. If you buy POPULAR (the cheap seats) its ok but less safe than buying more expensive seats.

Please don't show any signs of wealth, no camera, no watch, nothing and be sensible.