Travel/Tickets: USA versus Mexico in Mexico City 3/26/2013

yes, yes i do...

Wonder if we pull a result at the Azteca ala 1997 we'll hear a story of someone coughing up black blood....

Nice.

2013 will be my third time as well in the AZTECA but my first one was not a MEX - USA fixture but tbe 1986 WC Final.

2009 was memorable.

Cant wait for 26 March !

I'm booking my flight and hotel this weekend.

I was there last August for the win (although the Policia carted us out of the supporter section after the "Goal"). I will be there this March whether by Plane, Train, Automobile, or Foot! I made some connections in August. I will see what they can yield us. I can say the hotel Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico was amazing! Right in the heart of the Zocalo and the subway or cab is an easy jaunt to the stadium. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...exico_City_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html

Last time there was a bus that some of the US supporters must have rented to get them to Azteca from their hotels. My buddy and I took the subway and had no probs however.

When the match was over the policia formed a ring around us and corraled us and about 30 other gringos to waiting police buses which drove us to a subway station 2 stops away from the stadium.
There are many many YouTube videos of the events before, after and during the match that make be entertaining to watch.

I'm sure USSOCCER worked with the US state dept and the MEX FA to assure the safe passage of the Yank Supporters that day as the local policia obviously had a game plan too.


We stayed @ the Hotel Catedral which was very clean and in a decent location:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...exico_City_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html

Booked.

My brother and I are staying at the Hostel Catedral, Saturday - Wednesday. After reading all the stuff from last cycle, we're interested in meeting up with other Yanks to ride to the game on the metro.

Hi everyone,

Long time fan first time forum participant. A few of my college buddies would like to make the trek to Mexico City for the game. This being our very first trip abroad for a soccer event we are excited, but we are wondering- What is the best way for us Americans to purchase legitimate tickets? Assuming they aren't available now, when could we expect them to go on sale? Really appreciate the advice!

A few experienced in the Azteca trip shared some advice here: http://www.bigsoccer.com/community/...ips-are-you-most-interested-in.1976667/page-4

General consensus is that getting tickets shouldn't be an issue unless you wait until the last minute to look for some. Joining American Outlaws and/or the Official US Supporters Club will put you in a pretty good position to get them. If not, other Bigsoccer members might be able to help.

#1- welcome to the very addicting world of USMNT away travel, so much fun! And rewarding when (yes, I said when) we make it to Brazil. The whole 3 year process is really cool.

#2- I'd focus on booking your flight, hotel, and read up on your destination, side trips, sites, etc. Unless AO organizes something and "picks"a hotel then it's pretty much everyone on their own. This thread is best place to keep up to date on meeting places, and AO Events page will have organized meeting spots, etc inthe upcoming months.

#3- tickets will be handled by the US Feds, and allocated to the USSC members first (that's my gut feeling). AO will help with communications and possibly have something but it will be in conjuction with USoccer. My point....don't worry about tickets, just check this and AO website over the next few months and you'll be all set.

Lastly, 2009 they played at noon on a weekday so make sure to plan accordingly. Gametime has not yet been announced.

The August 2009 match in the Azteca kicked off @ 3PM local time.

Flight tickets booked. Hotel booked. Staying in Mexico City Reforma area. However, unfortunately we will not be able to stay in the AO booked hotel or purchase their travel package. See http://www.theamericanoutlaws.com/events/usmnt-vs-mexico-away-32613.

I'm really hoping that AO changes their mind and allows all AO members (and US Soccer fans) the opportunity to pay for the bus trip to/from the game regardless of whether they purchased the complete travel package or not. Last time in 2009, several US fans not on the prearranged bus(es) at that time had to be transported to a metro station 20 or 30 minutes down the road (for their safety) on a Mexican police paddy wagon. See
http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2012/08/commentary-time-i-left-azteca-paddy-wagon.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Can't wait for the game!

How often does the package fill up? Thinking of going, but might take a bit to save up. (not too long, thankfully)

I took the subway in 2009 as well and never felt threatened. I'm sure they'll be plenty of US supporters not on that AO-rented bus. As the date gets closer we non-AO members will coordinate our match day details.

And if we happen to tie or beat El Tri in the Azteca be prepared to be sequestered be el policia in the stadium till midnight and chauffeured back to our hotels.

Here is another excellent article from Bill Simmons on the 2009 MEX- USA WCQ:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090817

Yeah, nothing against AO but we're staying in a private room hostel (going off reviews on here and places like Tripadvisor, it's pretty decent) for 4 nights for around $100 total. The guaranteed safety to and from the match is nice and I'm sure a lot of people can justify the cost with that but I think it's a bit much.

AO members not doing the package will be able to go to the pre-game party though, right?

edit: just looked up rates at that hotel - the cheapest room is about $205/night. At that price, the $585 price looks a lot more reasonable.

Mexico City is full of lodging options for all price ranges. In 2009, we stayed at a place a block and a half from the Zocalo for about $13 per night--clean, safe and basic with bathroom ensuite.

Likewise, public transit to and from Azteca is cheap, easy, but very crowded, especially after the match. We were part of the escorted group from the US supporters section, but as soon as we hit the ground level, we left the group, put our scarves in our bags, and joined the public in the walk (shuffle) to the light rail. No worries, though I'm a little sorry I can't tell the tale about a ride in a police van to the metro.

would it be weird to buy the AO package as a solo traveller? I've always wanted to see USA vs Mexico at Azteca but I doubt any of my friends will be in a position to go to this game

Not weird at all, prob good way to meet fellow travelers if u wanted. AO will room u up with someone else if you wanted to share hotel cost.

Or sounds like u need to get better friends... Ha.

I'm planning on making the trip with some friends. It'll be my first US game outside the States. I was wondering how easy it's going to be to get tickets. Does anyone have experience? Will it likely be easy to get them through US Soccer or is it likely going to require alternative methods?

Thanks for any help.

It should not be a prob getting tickets thru USSoccer once the specifics are out on the MEX - US match. I believe we had 450+ head down in 2009.

Check the website once everything is confirmed.

I'm looking to attend the Costa Rica away match in September and it will also be my first away match. I have seen the AO package but was not impressed. Wondered what the process was for getting tickets and if there is a specific section we have to sit in ala fan segregation like Europe???? any information would be helpful especially anyone who has attended a match in San Jose

In 2009, the USSF sold tickets through USSSC and probably to the general public. There was a segregated US Supporters Section in the upper deck at Estadio Saprissa. We took the public bus from downtown San Jose to the stadium and walked back (about an hour.)

You may want to open a thread for the Costa Rica away match.