Ultimate Guide to Lucha Libre in Oaxaca, Mexico

This guide will cover where to watch Lucha Libre in Oaxaca, including how to buy tickets and what to expect. If you’re not familiar with Lucha Libre, it’s basically Mexico’s version of WWE, but with crazier outfits and wilder characters.

If you’ve ever watched WWE, you’ll know Ray Mysterio. Growing up, he was my idol, but I had no idea what his mask represented; I thought it was just a cool outfit.

When I walked past a Lucha Libre poster on the streets of Oaxaca and found out there was going to be a match while we were there, I squealed like a proper fan girl.

History of lucha libre in Mexico

Lucha Libre’s roots are in traditional freestyle wrestling, later evolving into colourful characters, crazy masks, dramatic storylines and the passionate fan base we see today.

In the 1930s, Salvador Lutteroth – familiar with the American professional wrestling scene – brought the pazazz to Mexican wrestling while being true to its unique cultural identity. The idea of masks originated from ancient Mexican culture where masks held deep spiritual and cultural significance.

The 40s and 50s were the Golden Age when Lucha Libre as a sport gained immense popularity and became mainstream in Mexico with legendary luchadores like El Santo and Blue Demon.

Lucha Libre has always been rooted in working class struggles and looking around the arena in Oaxaca, I was able to take a glimpse into Mexicans working-class community and their love and identification with the luchadores (wrestlers) fight for justice.

how to find a lucha libre match in oaxaca?

There’s no set schedule or event list for Lucha Libre events in Oaxaca; you’ve just gotta hope that there’ll be one during your time in the city. You can do this in two ways:

If there’s a Lucha Libre event on, you’ll see posters (like the one I saw above) plastered on random walls and lamposts when you wander around the streets.
There’s a Facebook group called Lucha Libre Oaxaca that posts any events in the city a week or two in advance.

Where to watch lucha libre in Oaxaca?

Arena san fransisco - centro

We watched Lucha Libre in Arena San Fransico when we were in Oaxaca. It’s a big building only a 5-minute walk from Benito Juarez Market.

We turned up to the venue early afternoon to pre-buy tickets, and they were in the process of building the ring for the fight. So just a heads up, if you scout it out days beforehand, don’t be surprised to find an indoor car park. Multi-use, I like it.

It’s easy to buy tickets at the door, so arrive 30 minutes before the starting time. I think each event is priced differently. For us, it was MXN 250 for a general ticket and MXN 350 for ringside (in the first three rows). But honestly, I wouldn’t recommend going ringside unless you want a luchador or metal chair thrown into you.

Arena pepe cisneros - outer oaxaca

Around 4km from the centre, you’ll find Arena Pepe Cisneros in a very local outer neighbourhood of Oaxaca. It’s probably best to grab a taxi there as it’ll be in the evening, and you’ll definitely be able to buy tickets on the door.

what to expect from lucha libre

In Arena San Fransisco there’s a bring-your-own toilet roll-style situation. I assume it’s like this in most arenas. There’ll be vendors selling nachos and other snacks as well as cheap beer and Micheladas. There’ll also be vendors selling luchador masks and memorabilia. I’m telling you now, have your heart ready to see the cutest kids walking around in their masks.

Typically an event has five sets of matches, starting with the amateurs and building up to the big boys. From the beginning, you’ve gotta get involved with the crowd by cheering for the Good (tecnicos) and boo for the Evil (rudos). Lucha Libre is like a soap opera, and it only works if the crowd interacts.

I’ll never forget the final match of the night, when the main star, Místico, a famous luchador from Mexico City, entered the ring. His fans went nuts as if they really believed in his story. There was so much passion.

I loved every moment of it, and I can assure you will, too. People of all ages hollering Spanish swear words at their favourite wrestler’s opponent, metal chairs being thrown into the crowd, grown men booing as if their lives depended on it, and cute masked kids running around the ring between rounds. It’s impossible not to love it.

If a lucha libre event is on while you’re visiting Oaxaca, you’d be a fool to miss it! Are you staying in Oaxaca for a few days? You might be interested in these 14 free (or really cheap) things to do in Oaxaca.