From the Ancient Ballgame to Football: Juego de Pelota at the FIFA Fan Festival™ in Mexico City’s Zócalo
If you were visiting Mexico City in time of FIFA 2026, you could visit and try Juego de pelota by yourself at the main central square Zócalo.
Our book tour across Mexico made a very special stop in the heart of the country’s capital. Thanks to an invitation from the Mexico City Institute of Sports (INDEPORTE), Juego de Pelota: Descubre sus secretos con La Catrina Bohemia became part of the cultural program at the FIFA Fan Festival™, held in the iconic Zócalo.
The day began with a meaningful moment as Laura Elena was invited to participate in the Sports Canvas for Peace (Lienzo Deportivo por la Paz), a symbolic initiative that brought together representatives from sports and cultural organizations to promote peace, respect, inclusion, and community through sport. It was a fitting way to begin an event celebrating the power of both sport and culture to bring people together.
Throughout the festival, families had the opportunity to discover the legacy of the Mesoamerican ballgame and learn why this ancient tradition remains an important part of Mexico’s cultural heritage. Juego de Pelota invited visitors to explore the history, symbolism, and enduring significance of one of the oldest sports traditions in the Americas.
As part of the day’s activities, the Escuela de Pelota Mixteca CDMX Moctezuma Aeropuerto presented a live demonstration of Pelota Mixteca, giving children and families the chance to see the equipment up close and experience one of Mexico’s living ancestral sports firsthand.
The participation of Juego de Pelota in this important event was made possible through the support and collaborative efforts of Eng. Jacobo Victoria Hernández, representative of the Escuela de Pelota Mixteca CDMX Moctezuma Aeropuerto and the Mexican Association of Players of Pre-Hispanic Games (Asociación Mexicana de Jugadores de Juegos de Origen Prehispánico A.C.). From the earliest stages of the book’s research, Jacobo has been instrumental in connecting the project with players, organizations, and institutions dedicated to preserving and promoting Mexico’s ancestral ballgames.
Presenting Juego de Pelota within the FIFA Fan Festival™ carried a special meaning. As the world celebrated football, the event also offered visitors an opportunity to discover the ancient sporting traditions that form part of Mexico’s cultural identity, reminding us that the roots of sport run deep and continue to inspire new generations.
Each stop on this book tour reaffirms Editorial Parangueo’s commitment to connecting literature, culture, and education. We are grateful to INDEPORTE, the Escuela de Pelota Mixteca CDMX Moctezuma Aeropuerto, Eng. Jacobo Victoria Hernández, and everyone who made this memorable experience possible, helping bring Mexico’s living heritage to new audiences.
