Fan Guide to Monterrey

Make the most of your match week in Monterrey: see more, stress less.

Introduction

Monterrey for World Cup 2026 Visitors

Monterrey’s match week sweet spot is the blend of big-city energy and mountain drama. The city spreads along the Sierra Madre foothills, with urban life centered around the museums and waterfront promenade linking downtown to vast Fundidora Park—an old steelworks reborn as a culture-and-events hub. Between fixtures, fans can ride boats along the Santa Lucía canal, wander world-class galleries, and push into protected canyons for sunrise views of Cerro de la Silla. World Cup 26™ brings four matches to Estadio Monterrey, set in Guadalupe on the metro’s east side, adding a global buzz to a city already built for stadium days and late nights. Expect heat, quick transit links, and plenty of green space to regroup.

Fast Facts

Population (city/entidad): 1,142,994
Time zone: Central Time (UTC−6)
Airports: General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (MTY).
Currency: United States Dollar (USD).
Power & voltage: 120 V/60 Hz; plug types A & B are standard.
Weather snapshot (June–July): Hot season; typical afternoon highs around 34 °C with warm evenings; summer storms possible.
Language: Spanish
Drinking age: 18

The Pitch

Estadio Monterrey

Estadio Monterrey (commonly known as Estadio BBVA) sits in Guadalupe, east of the center with the Sierra Madre framing the open corners. For World Cup 26™, FIFA lists a capacity of 53,500 and a natural grass surface with a small synthetic reinforcement as specified by the host committee. It’s an outdoor venue with a canopy over the seating bowl, known for clean sightlines and that mountain backdrop. Primary local rail access is via Metrorrey Line 1 stations serving Guadalupe, with onward walking/last-mile connections.

Stadium Basics

Location: Guadalupe, Nuevo León (east Monterrey metro).
Surface: Natural grass (with 5% synthetic/95% natural specification for 2026).
Getting there: Metrorrey Line 1 to Guadalupe-area stations (for route planning, see official system map). (estadio-bbva.mx)
Bag policy & payments: Follow FIFA tournament stadium guidance (clear-bag rules and cashless operations are enforced per tournament communications; confirm in the official app before you go).

Full stadium details

Match dates in Monterrey

June 14, 2026 — Group Stage
June 20, 2026 — Group Stage
June 24, 2026 — Group Stage
June 29, 2026 — Group Stage

Inside Monterrey

Districts & Vibes

Centro & Santa Lucía corridor is your orientation line: museums, the canal, and Fundidora Park in a straight shot that’s walkable, boatable, and dense with plazas. It’s the city’s easiest day plan—culture in the morning, shade and green space by afternoon.

Barrio Antiguo sits just off the Macroplaza, with restored façades and a growing roster of cafés, bars, and weekend markets. It’s lively at night but photogenic by day; pair it with museums nearby and loop back for dinner.

Guadalupe (stadium area) anchors match days on the east side; it’s straightforward to reach from the center and connects back to parks and the riverwalk after the final whistle.

Global Eats, Local Pours

Monterrey’s Food & Drink Hit List

Monterrey eats are built around flame: cabrito, carne asada, and regional pork stews. For a one-stop sampling scene, Mercado Barrio Antiguo gathers dozens of stalls in a restored center near the nightlife strip—ideal for groups and quick meals. Between museum hops, follow the Santa Lucía path for casual bites around Fundidora’s entrances. If you want the classics, the state DMO points you to signature dishes (cabrito, carne asada) citywide—plan a long lunch and make it a social event.

Iconic Monterrey

Must-Sees Between Matches

Start at Fundidora Park, a sprawling river-linked green space where industrial relics frame lawns, paths, and venues—a ready-made fan zone with room to breathe. Stroll or boat the Paseo Santa Lucía canal to the museum district, then step into 3 Museos (Museo de Historia Mexicana, Museo del Noreste, and Museo del Palacio) for fast, well-curated context. Cap it with contemporary works at MARCO a few blocks away.

When the mountains call, head for Chipinque Ecological Park on the city’s edge or push deeper into Cumbres de Monterrey National Park for canyons like La Huasteca and those Cerro de la Silla views. Both bring quick-hit hikes and lookouts within an hour of downtown—easy to slot between morning training sessions and late kickoffs.

Discover Monterrey Through

Local Experiences & Tours

Take the Paseo Santa Lucía boat ride—an easy, shaded float that links Fundidora and the museum zone, with published hours and ticketing on the park’s official page. Museums offer guided visits (docent-led and educational) that fit neatly between meals and training-watch sessions. For nature, Chipinque runs visitor programming and signed trails with clear difficulty markers; it’s a quick transfer from central hotels.

Keep the Party Going

Fan-Friendly Nightlife

Fans naturally converge in Barrio Antiguo, where the city’s heritage streets host bars, patios, and late-night food clustered around Morelos and adjoining lanes—revitalized with public works that improved the pedestrian experience. Larger concert nights often light up Fundidora Park venues; check schedules if you want a post-match show without crossing town.