Mexico's 'El juego de pelota en Tenochtitlan' exhibition opens in Mexico City

The Secretaría de Cultura and the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) inaugurated a temporary exhibition titled “El juego de pelota en Tenochtitlan” at the Museo del Templo Mayor in Mexico City. The show features more than one hundred archaeological and ethno‑historical objects, including two original rubber balls over 3,000 years old recovered from the El Manatí site in Veracruz, three‑dimensional replicas of the balls, a hypothetical reconstruction of the ancient Teotlachco ballcourt, and numerous figurines and ceremonial artifacts from various pre‑hispanic cultures.

Curated by archaeologists from INAH’s Urban Archaeology Programme, the exhibition highlights the ritual, social and political significance of the Mesoamerican ballgame. Officials emphasized its role as a unifying cultural practice across ancient Mexico and its connections to warfare, sacrifice and diplomacy. A parallel conference series will explore topics such as the game’s mythology, architecture, and symbolism. The exhibition runs through September, coinciding with the cultural programme surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.