Fútbol Madness

Fútbol (Soccer in North America and Football in the UK) in Buenos Aires is a unique, fascinating and exciting experience. The city is fútbol crazy, with 20 stadiums in the area. Passions run so high that it becomes almost a religion. While visiting the city I recommend you reserve one Sunday, or maybe sometimes Wednesday, to go watch a fútbol match. If possible go to a Boca or River match, or even better, Boca Juniors and River Plate head to head. They are the biggest teams in Argentina and archenemies.
Boca Juniors is one of the most popular fútbol clubs in the world. The great Diego Maradona once played on Boca. In terms of being tourist friendly, consider yourself warned that the La Boca neighborhood, although picturesque, is not the safest area of the city. The club is rich with history and their fans are rich with passion. The stadium itself is surrounded by hangouts where fans eat and drink before attending the match. It is also rank with people selling fake Boca Juniors merchandise. Inside the stadium the two stands behind the goal (populares) are the most passionate and also dangerous as they lack supervision and seat assignments. It is best to purchase box seats or seats in the main grandstand. There is also a museum on the premises.
River Plate was founded in 1901 and is one of the most celebrated clubs in the country and the one with more titles. A venture down the club’s shop and stadium is a must for anyone. Sight lines are better at this stadium than most others in Argentina and tickets are not very expensive. River Plate has the better facilities and is in the better side of town, closer to the big parks and suburbs of Buenos Aires and is much nicer area to walk around than La Boca. The atmosphere at the matches is amazing and well worth the experience of seeing why this is the most popular sport in the world at one of the most popular clubs in the world.
Game-day at any match is a very colourful time, filled with songs, chants, drums and a very large police presence. Whilst the football at times is less than inspiring, the experience of being amongst the fans with their non-stop chanting and jumping up and down is one of exhilaration.
Safety-wise do not go on your own, especially to “las populares” (popular stands, the cheapest tickets where the very hardcore fans stand) unless you have a local friend to accompany you. It can become scary sometimes, since fans enter the stadium from separate entrances, and stay separated throughout the entire game. To move into the stadium you have to pass checkpoints, complete with cops in full riot gear. Also, be sure to wear neutral colors or wear the home-team shirt or colours. Do not bring expensive looking items to the stadium such as fancy watches or jewelry.

Any visit to the city wouldn’t be complete without witnessing a fútbol match.

More information on PlanetEye: SOCCER