Guadalajara is the only Mexican city outside of Mexico City to host a national team match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and with four group stage games at Estadio Akron, it is the most active World Cup venue in all of Mexico outside the capital. The stadium is home to Chivas, one of the most passionately supported clubs in Latin American football. For the Mexico vs South Korea match on June 18, this will be one of the loudest, most electric atmospheres in the entire tournament. This guide covers every match, every transport route, the best hotels, and why Guadalajara deserves far more than a day trip.
Estadio Akron hosts four group stage fixtures, making it the busiest Mexican World Cup venue aside from Estadio Azteca (5 matches) and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey (4 matches). The four Guadalajara fixtures span June 11 to June 26 — giving fans the opportunity to build a multi-match trip in a single city across a 15-day window.
Source: FIFA official World Cup 2026 match schedule, December 2025
All 4 World Cup Matches at Estadio Akron
All four fixtures are group stage matches. Kick-off times are listed in local Guadalajara time (Central Standard Time, UTC-6) alongside Eastern Time for North American fans planning travel.
| Date | Match | Group | Local Time (CST) | Eastern Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday June 11, 2026 | South Korea vs UEFA Playoff Winner D (Czechia / Rep. of Ireland / Denmark / North Macedonia) | Group A | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM ET |
| Wednesday June 18, 2026 | Mexico vs South Korea | Group A | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM ET |
| Tuesday June 23, 2026 | Colombia vs FIFA Playoff Winner 1 (New Caledonia / Jamaica / DR Congo) | Group G | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM ET |
| Friday June 26, 2026 | Uruguay vs Spain | Group H | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM ET |
Mexico vs South Korea on June 18 — Book Now
The June 18 Mexico vs South Korea fixture is the highest-demand match at Estadio Akron and one of the most sought-after tickets in the entire Mexican phase of the tournament. El Tri's home matches generate extraordinary atmosphere — with 48,000 fans predominantly in red and white Chivas colours, expect noise levels comparable to a knockout round. If you are planning to attend any single match in Guadalajara, this is the one. Hotels within 10 miles of the stadium on the night of June 18 are already selling at 3x normal rates. Book immediately.
Stadium Facts
Estadio Akron — officially rebranded as Estadio Guadalajara for FIFA World Cup 26 — is located in the Zapopan municipality of metropolitan Guadalajara, approximately 7 miles northwest of the city centre. It opened in 2010 and is regarded as one of the finest stadium facilities in Mexico.
- Official World Cup name: Estadio Guadalajara
- Home club: Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas) — the only Mexican football club that fields exclusively Mexican-born players
- World Cup capacity: approximately 48,000
- Opened: July 2010
- Location: Zapopan, metropolitan Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
- Distinctive feature: The stadium's red and white colour scheme mirrors Chivas' iconic kit — for El Tri matches, the venue transforms into a sea of the Mexican national team's green, white, and red
- Sightlines: Steep bowl design with close proximity to the pitch — every seat has an excellent direct view of the playing surface
- Surface: Natural grass (FIFA-certified)
How to Get to Estadio Akron
The stadium is located in Zapopan, northwest of Guadalajara city centre. FIFA strongly recommends public transit for all match-day travel — the road network around the stadium becomes severely congested from 2 hours before kick-off.
| Transport Mode | Route / Details | Journey Time | Approx Cost | Recommended? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Macro Periférico BRT | BRT to Estadio Chivas stop — 5-minute walk to stadium gates. Routes Mi Macro Periférico from downtown. | 30 min from city centre | ~10 MXN ($0.50 USD) | ✅ Best option |
| Mi Tren Light Rail (NEW for 2026) | New Lines 4 and 5 expected to open for World Cup 2026 — will connect Guadalajara Airport directly to stadium area | ~35–45 min from airport | ~10–15 MXN ($0.50–0.75 USD) | ✅ When operational |
| City Bus | Routes A12, T02, T01, C109 serve the stadium area. Download Moovit or use Google Maps transit for exact stops. | 30–50 min depending on route | ~10 MXN ($0.50 USD) | ✅ Budget option |
| Uber / InDriver | No dedicated pickup zone at stadium — walk to Av. Periférico after the match to hail a ride. Expect surge pricing post-match. | 25–40 min from city centre (normal traffic) | $8–15 USD city centre; $20–25 USD from airport | ⚠️ Avoid post-match |
| Taxi (official metered) | Use Sitio registered taxis only — white with orange stripe. Avoid unmarked taxis. Request at hotel front desk. | 25–45 min | $10–20 USD city centre | ⚠️ Metered official only |
| Car / Parking | Parking available on site. Post-match exit takes 2–3 hours. Not recommended unless attending with mobility requirements. | Variable — 2–3 hrs post-match | $3–8 USD | ❌ Avoid |
Best Hotels Near Estadio Akron
Guadalajara offers significantly better hotel value than US host cities — a four-star room costs what a budget hotel costs in New York or Los Angeles on equivalent match nights. The three most recommended options covering different budgets are all within 25 minutes of the stadium.
| Hotel | Distance to Stadium | Approx Rate (Match Night) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyatt Regency Andares Guadalajara | 5 miles / 15 min by car | $150–200 USD/night | Mid-range comfort — directly connected to Andares Mall with excellent restaurants and transport connections |
| Holiday Inn Express Guadalajara Vallarta Poniente | 4 miles / 15 min by car | Under $100 USD/night | Budget travellers — includes free breakfast, recently renovated, close to BRT corridor |
| Grand Fiesta Americana Guadalajara Country Club | 7 miles / 25 min by car | $180–250 USD/night | Premium stay — rooftop pool, spa, full luxury amenities in the Providencia neighbourhood |
| Quinta Real Guadalajara | 8 miles / 20 min | $200–280 USD/night | Boutique luxury — historic hacienda-style property with garden grounds, ideal for a longer Guadalajara stay |
Photo by Sergio Rodríguez on Unsplash
What to Do in Guadalajara
Guadalajara is Mexico's second-largest city and one of its most culturally rich. The city's compact historic centre means most major attractions are within walking distance of each other — plan at least two full days outside the stadium.
- Hospicio Cabañas — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, originally built as a hospital in 1810; the Orozco murals on the chapel ceiling are among the greatest works of Mexican art
- Teatro Degollado — a stunning 19th-century neoclassical theatre in the heart of the city centre; the FIFA Fan Fest 2026 is located nearby
- Centro Histórico — the cathedral, Palacio de Gobierno (with Orozco's famous Hidalgo mural), Plaza de la Liberación, and Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres form a walkable historic core
- Tlaquepaque — a suburb 20 minutes from the centre famous for artisan crafts, hand-blown glass, ceramics, and mariachi music; the best place in Mexico to buy handmade souvenirs
- Town of Tequila — 35 miles northwest of Guadalajara; a 45-minute drive or 90-minute bus through blue agave fields to the birthplace of Mexico's most famous spirit; distillery tours available daily
- Mercado San Juan de Dios — the largest covered market in Latin America; three floors of local food, leather goods, electronics, and street stalls
What to Eat and Drink in Guadalajara
Guadalajara — whose residents are called Tapatíos — has one of Mexico's most distinctive regional food cultures. Two dishes in particular are essential and cannot be found in quite the same form anywhere else.
- Tortas ahogadas — the defining Guadalajara dish: a crusty birote bread roll stuffed with carnitas (slow-cooked pork), then literally 'drowned' in a rich spicy tomato and arbol chilli sauce; found at specialist stalls throughout the city; La Chata and Karne Garibaldi are among the most acclaimed
- Birria — slow-cooked goat or beef stew heavily spiced with dried chillies, cinnamon, and cloves; typically served in tacos with consommé for dipping; Guadalajara-style birria is the original and is substantially different from the birria tacos now popular in the USA
- Pozole tapatío — a hearty hominy and pork soup, a staple of Jalisco home cooking; widely available in the mercados
- Tequila and mezcal — Jalisco is the only state permitted by law to produce tequila; local tequilería bars offer tastings of blanco, reposado, and añejo expressions not exported internationally
- Tejuino — a cold fermented corn drink with lime and salt, sold from street carts; refreshing on hot June afternoons before an evening match
Photo by Diego Lozano on Unsplash
Match Day Checklist — Estadio Akron
Complete this before leaving your hotel for every match at Estadio Akron.
Photo by Roger Ce on Unsplash
Flying Into Guadalajara
Guadalajara Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL) is located 11 miles south of the city centre and approximately 14 miles from Estadio Akron. It is Mexico's second-busiest international airport and receives direct flights from numerous North American cities.
- Direct flights from US cities: Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York JFK, Las Vegas, Denver, Phoenix, and others via American, United, Delta, and Volaris
- Direct flights from Canada: Toronto (Air Transat, WestJet) and Vancouver (seasonal charters)
- Ground transport from GDL airport to city centre: Uber ($10–15 USD, 25–35 min) or official yellow taxi from the airport taxi rank ($15–20 USD fixed rate)
- NEW for 2026: Mi Tren Lines 4 and 5 will provide direct rail connection from GDL airport to the stadium area when operational
- Important: Pre-book return flights with flexibility — June 23 and June 26 are both late-evening kick-offs; post-match transport demand is high and flights the following morning sell out
Uruguay vs Spain on June 26 — A Neutral Fan's Dream
The June 26 Uruguay vs Spain fixture (Group H) is arguably the highest-quality match at Estadio Akron from a neutral perspective — a clash between Spain, the reigning European champions, and Uruguay, one of South America's most historic football nations. Both fan bases travel in enormous numbers to World Cup tournaments. Expect large contingents of Spanish fans (Guadalajara has a significant Spanish community) and a passionate Uruguayan diaspora from across North America. For fans not attending as national team supporters, this is the Estadio Akron match to prioritise.
Plan Your Full Guadalajara World Cup Trip
Use our World Cup 2026 Trip Calculator to estimate the full cost of your Guadalajara visit — tickets, flights, hotels, transport, and daily spending — across every match date.
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