Los Juegos de Pelota: Mesoamerican Ball Games from past to present

The Mexican Cultural Institute is honored to present Los Juegos de Pelota: Mesoamerican ball games from past to present, a journey through one of Mesoamerica's most captivating traditions. Spanning thousands of years, the ball game was far more than sport: it was ritual, power, and cosmology in motion. This unique cycle traces its story from ancient past to present day in the context of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13TH | 6:30 PM
TALK
Play Ball: Earliest Ballcourt in Highland Mexico

A fascinating lecture by archaeologist Jeffrey P. Blomster exploring the recent discovery of the earliest known highland Mesoamerican ballcourt in the Mixteca Alta of Oaxaca. Through the excavations at Etlatongo, this talk reveals how the ancient ballgame shaped early social and political life in Mexico more than 3,000 years ago. Don't miss this opportunity to discover new perspectives on one of Mesoamerica's most enduring traditions.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23TH | 6:30 PM
TALK

The Juegos de Pelota with Ana Claudia Collado

Join us for a special conversation with Ana Claudia Collado on the preservation and promotion of Mexico's traditional and autochthonous games and sports. This lecture explores the history, cultural importance, and living legacy of ancestral practices that continue to strengthen community and identity across Mexico.

MONDAY, JUNE 18TH - AUGUST 1ST
EXHIBITION

Canchas Sagradas | Sacred Fields
On view through August 1st

Step into the world of the ancient Mesoamerican ballgame through an exhibition of photography and original game-related pieces exploring the history, symbolism, and cultural legacy of this enduring tradition. Through striking images and objects connected to the Juego de Pelota, the exhibition offers a visual journey into one of Mesoamerica's most iconic practices.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1ST | 6:30 PM
IN DUPONT UNDERGROUND
FILM SCREENING AND TALK

Ulama by Roberto Rochín

Join us for a special presentation of the documentary Ulama (1986), directed by Roberto Rochín, followed by a conversation with the filmmaker about the history and contemporary legacy of the ancestral Mesoamerican ballgame. Through powerful storytelling and striking imagery, the film explores one of Mexico's oldest living traditions and the communities working to preserve it today.