Mesoamerican Ballgame and FIFA World Cup Mexico 2026: Sport, History and Passion

An Ancient Ritual: Origins, Rules and Symbolism of the Mesoamerican Ballgame

The Mesoamerican ballgame, played by ancient civilizations such as the Maya, Mexica, and Zapotec, originated over 3,000 years ago. It was played on stone courts called tlachtli, where a heavy rubber ball was kept in motion mainly using the hips—though some variations allowed the use of forearms or wooden sticks. Among the Maya, this wasn’t just a game—it was a sacred ritual symbolizing the battle between day and night, inspired by stories from the Popol Vuh, in which underworld gods face twin heroes in a cosmic contest. More than a sport, it was a ceremonial performance with religious, political, and social meaning. In some cases, the losing team was even sacrificed as an offering to the gods.

Ulama: A Living Legacy in Mexican Sports Culture

One of the living descendants of this ancient tradition is Ulama, still played in parts of northern Mexico, like Sinaloa. In Ulama, players use their hips to hit a heavy rubber ball across a long narrow court known as a tastei. The ball cannot touch the ground more than once. Despite the passage of centuries, Ulama continues to carry deep cultural and symbolic significance, keeping this ancestral legacy alive.

10 Variations of the Pre-Hispanic Ballgame

There are at least 10 documented variations of the Mesoamerican ballgame, each reflecting the cultural richness and regional diversity of ancient Mexico:

• Ulama – still played today in northern Mexico

• Pok-ta-pok – the sacred Maya version

• Tlachtli – the Nahuatl name used by the Mexica

• Pitz – a Yucatec Maya variant

• Ullamaliztli – a general Nahuatl term for the ballgame

• Olmec ballgame – believed to be the oldest form

• Stick-based versions – played in some northern cultures

• Zapotec version – with unique features from Oaxaca

• Vertical ring game – depicted in Chichén Itzá reliefs

• Mixtec ritual ballgame – tied to divine genealogies

  
  

Each form had its own rules and spiritual meanings, but they all shared a connection to community, ceremony, and cosmic order.

Hidden Stories of the Ballgame

While the ballgame is widely recognized, there are lesser-known facts that enrich its story. In Cantona, Puebla, archaeologists have discovered 27 ballcourts—the highest number at any single site. In western Mexico, Guachimontones (near Guadalajara) has one of the largest courts of its time, stretching over 111 meters, built nearly a thousand years before the famed Chichén Itzá court.

In Teotihuacan, Estado de México, although no courts have been found, murals in the Tepantitla complex depict scenes of the ballgame, suggesting that it was played there as well. These sites highlight the ballgame’s deep roots in many regions of what is now modern Mexico—often near the very cities that will host the 2026 World Cup.

Also worth noting is El Tajín in Veracruz, home to more than 17 ballcourts, many adorned with carvings of ritual sacrifice and sacred ceremonies. In Tula, the Toltec capital in Hidalgo, a ceremonial court still stands near the iconic Atlantean warrior columns—symbols of religious and military power. These examples remind us that the ballgame was a unifying expression across Mesoamerica, from the Gulf Coast to the central highlands.

From Ancient Ballcourts to FIFA World Cup 2026 Stadiums

Today, Mexico is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup 2026, with matches scheduled in three iconic stadiums:

• Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)

• Estadio Akron (Guadalajara)

• Estadio BBVA (Monterrey)

  
  

These cities will welcome football fans from around the world—but long before the roar of the crowds, these lands echoed with the sounds of sacred games. From ancient stone courts to modern arenas, Mexico’s sporting spirit has always run deep.

Cultural Heritage and Symbolism

In pre-Hispanic civilizations, the ballgame went far beyond mere entertainment. It symbolized the rebirth of the sun, the balance of the universe, and the eternal rhythm of life and death. It was a tool of diplomacy, ritual, education, and power. Today, reviving this legacy helps us reconnect with our cultural roots—reminding us that Mexico’s passion for the ball is truly ancestral.

A Unique Opportunity to Honor Our Roots

The World Cup is much more than football. It’s a chance to tell the world a different story about Mexico—one of resilience, creativity, and ancient brilliance. The connection between the pre-Hispanic ballgame and FIFA 2026 is more than symbolic—it’s a living narrative, ready to inspire new generations. After all, the ball has been rolling in this land for thousands of years.

Mexico: Football Roots and Cultural Pride

Mexico’s sporting legacy is carved into every temple and echoed in every stadium. From the silent stones of Monte Albán to the roaring stands of the Estadio Azteca, 2026 is not just about goals and glory—it’s about honoring a history that began long before modern football existed.

Cultural Travel Route: From Ancient Courts to World Cup Arenas

We know many visitors will come to the World Cup with tight schedules, wanting to “see it all” in a day. But Mexico isn’t a place to rush. Behind every stadium lies a deeper story—local traditions, sacred landscapes, and living communities.

We propose an alternative route that blends the excitement of FIFA 2026 with immersive cultural experiences:

Mexico City

 → Take your time visiting the Templo Mayor and the National Museum of Anthropology. Find local guides offering immersive walking or biking tours through historical neighborhoods like San Ángel or Coyoacán. Join a workshop in pre-Hispanic cuisine, and consider spending a night in Teotihuacan, Estado de México —fly in a hot air balloon at dawn and visit the murals of Tepantitla, which depict scenes from the ancient ballgame.

Guadalajara

Explore Guachimontones, a circular city home to one of the largest ancient ballcourts. Complement your trip with cultural stops in Tequila—visit agave fields, take workshops with local artisans, or wander through Zapopan and Tlaquepaque. Don’t miss the Tonalá handicraft market.

Monterrey

While not home to ancient ballgame sites, the city offers other cultural treasures. Visit the Museo del Noreste (MUNE) and the Obispado Museum to learn about the region’s history. Explore cave paintings in García, join a leatherworking workshop in Santa Catarina, or spend time with local rural communities to experience traditional food and customs.

Extend your trip?

From Mexico City, you can head to Tula (Hidalgo) to see an ancient Toltec ballcourt and the famous Atlantean statues. Nearby in Pachuca, visit the Hall of Fame and the Football Museum to link Mexico’s ancestral and modern sports history. Also worth visiting are Cantona (Puebla), with its 27 ballcourts, and El Tajín (Veracruz), renowned for its ritual carvings. In every place, support local cooperatives, buy artisan goods, and taste ancestral flavors.

When You Come for the World Cup, Don’t Forget to Visit the Real Mexico

The FIFA World Cup Mexico 2026 will be a global celebration—but also a rare chance to explore the heart of a country where the love of the ball is ancient and alive. So when you come for the World Cup, don’t just pass through—take time to visit the real Mexico: in its villages, its ruins, its flavors, and its stories that still echo through time.