The Stadium
Estatedio Akron sits on the western edge of the Guadalajara metropolitan area in Zapopan, Jalisco, and is one of Mexico’s most distinctive football grounds. Built as a purpose-built home for Club Deportivo Guadalajara — commonly known as Chivas — it opened in 2010 and represents one of the more architecturally ambitious stadium projects in Latin American football history. The exterior skin, composed of interlocking geometric panels that shift colour depending on the light, gives the bowl a look unlike almost any other venue in the region.
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Estadio Akron is one of the Mexican host venues, and it will stage a selection of group-stage matches. Colombia versus Congo DR falls in Group K on Matchday 2, meaning both sides will arrive having already played one fixture, with points on the board and qualification calculations very much alive. This is not a ceremonial fixture — in tournament football, Matchday 2 is often where the real fault lines open up.
The stadium’s capacity in its domestic configuration comfortably places it among the largest club-owned grounds in Mexico. For World Cup purposes, FIFA typically modifies seating arrangements to meet tournament standards, so official match-day capacity figures should be confirmed via FIFA’s official channels once published. The main bowl is entirely covered, and sightlines from all tiers are considered strong — there are no bad seats in the traditional sense, though the upper tier is steep enough that heights-averse supporters may want to consider that when selecting.
Chivas have used the ground as their home throughout its existence, giving it a genuine matchday culture rather than the sterile feel of a recently assembled temporary venue. The stadium has not hosted a World Cup before 2026; the 1986 World Cup matches in the Guadalajara area were staged at Estadio Jalisco, a separate, older ground. Credit the Akron’s World Cup debut correctly: 2026 is its first.
Getting There
Estatedio Akron is located in the Rancho Contento area of Zapopan, roughly 12 kilometres northwest of Guadalajara’s historic centre. The most straightforward public transport option for match day is the Guadalajara Metro combined with a short connecting ride. Line 3 of the Metro — the most recently opened line — runs to stations in the northwest of the city and is the closest the rapid transit network gets to the stadium. From Guadalajara’s main transfer hub at Plaza del Sol or Central Camionera (the main bus terminal), journey times into the city centre are typically under 30 minutes by metro.
From the stadium itself, the final leg is often served by bus or taxi from the nearest Metro stop. Rideshare apps including Uber operate in Guadalajara and tend to function reliably, though surge pricing around major events is a reasonable expectation. Walking from the Metro is possible but involves a stretch of road not designed with pedestrians as the priority — allow extra time.
Miguel Hidalgo International Airport (GDL) is located closer to the city’s eastern side, roughly 20 kilometres from the stadium. Taxis from the airport to the Zapopan area typically take 30–45 minutes depending on traffic, which in a city of this size and a tournament context means building in buffer time on match days. The airport operates international and domestic services and is well connected within Mexico.
Car access to the stadium is possible via the Periférico Norte ring road. Parking exists on site but fills quickly for major fixtures; fans without pre-arranged parking should plan on parking further out and using the connecting transport.
Travelling From Home Country of Each Team
For Colombia fans: The natural routing is through Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport (BOG), which offers direct flights to Guadalajara (GDL) with some carriers and one-stop connections with others via Mexico City (MEX). Flight time from Bogotá to Guadalajara is approximately four to five hours depending on routing. Mexico and Colombia do not share a land border, so air travel is the realistic option for the overwhelming majority of supporters. The time zone difference is minimal — Colombia operates on UTC-5, and Guadalajara on Central Time (UTC-6 in standard, UTC-5 during summer). Immigration requirements should be checked with Mexico’s consular services in advance, as visa requirements can change.
For Congo DR fans: Supporters travelling from Kinshasa face a longer journey. There are no direct flights between Kinshasa’s N’djili Airport (FIH) and Guadalajara. Most realistic routing goes via a European hub — Brussels, Paris, or Amsterdam — before a transatlantic connection to Mexico City or Guadalajara. Total journey time including connections is typically in the range of 18–24 hours. Fans making this trip should plan to arrive at least a day in advance and confirm entry requirements and any transit visa needs based on their passport.
Tickets
Official tickets for all FIFA World Cup 2026 matches are sold exclusively through FIFA’s official ticketing platform. That is the only legitimate primary source. FIFA has operated phased sales windows — ballot rounds, general sales, and last-minute allocations — so the availability picture at any given moment depends on which phase the tournament has reached by the time you read this.
For a group-stage fixture, secondary market activity is typically lower than for knockout rounds, but Colombia have a substantial and passionate travelling support with a track record of filling stadiums wherever they play. Scarcity on the secondary market will depend heavily on how both sides’ tournaments are progressing by Matchday 2. Expect prices on resale platforms to reflect any equation where a win guarantees or denies progression. Avoid unofficial street sellers; counterfeit tickets at major FIFA events are a documented problem.
Fan Zones and City Guide
FIFA typically establishes an official fan zone in host cities, though the precise Guadalajara location for 2026 should be confirmed via FIFA’s official event pages as the tournament approaches. The historic centre of Guadalajara — centred on the Plaza de Armas and the surrounding streets — is the natural gathering point for supporters in the days before the match. The Chapultepec neighbourhood, a younger, bar-lined street northwest of the centre, functions as the city’s most concentrated stretch of nightlife and restaurant options.
For fans arriving a day early, three things are worth your time. The Hospicio Cabañas, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the city centre, houses José Clemente Orozco’s celebrated murals — one of the most significant pieces of public art in the Americas and something that takes an hour to see properly rather than glance at. The Mercado San Juan de Dios, one of Latin America’s largest indoor markets, is worth a morning for food, atmosphere, and the sheer scale of it. And if schedules allow, the town of Tequila — the literal origin of the spirit — is under an hour west of Guadalajara by road and runs distillery tours throughout the day.
Watch the Match Remotely
Not making the trip to Zapopan? Broadcast arrangements for the 2026 World Cup vary by territory — rights holders differ significantly between Latin America, Europe, and Africa. For the full breakdown of where to watch Colombia vs Congo DR in your country, as well as a detailed tactical preview of both sides heading into Group K Matchday 2, visit the Full preview and where to watch guide.
FAQ
- Where is Colombia vs Congo DR being played?
- The match is being played at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, a municipality in the Guadalajara metropolitan area in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The fixture is Group K Matchday 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled for Wednesday 24 June 2026.
- How many fans does Estadio Akron hold?
- Estadio Akron's domestic capacity places it among the largest club-owned stadiums in Mexico. FIFA typically adjusts seating configurations for World Cup fixtures, so the official match-day capacity for the tournament should be confirmed through FIFA's official channels once the final figure is published.
- How do I get to Estadio Akron from Guadalajara city centre?
- The most practical public transport option is Guadalajara's Metro Line 3, which runs into the northwestern part of the city closest to the stadium. From the nearest station, buses or rideshare apps (Uber operates in Guadalajara) cover the final stretch. Allow extra time on match days due to traffic. The stadium is roughly 12 kilometres from the historic centre.
- Can I still buy tickets for Colombia vs Congo DR?
- Official tickets are sold exclusively through FIFA's official ticketing platform — that is the only legitimate primary source. Availability depends on which sales phase FIFA is currently running. Secondary market options exist on major resale platforms, but prices may rise if either team's qualification situation is in the balance by Matchday 2. Avoid unofficial sellers to reduce counterfeit risk.
- What is there to do in Guadalajara for football fans?
- Beyond the match, the Hospicio Cabañas in the city centre houses Orozco's famous murals — genuinely worth an hour of your time. The Mercado San Juan de Dios is one of Latin America's largest indoor markets and good for food and atmosphere. The Chapultepec strip northwest of the centre is the main bar and restaurant area. If you have a day free, the town of Tequila is under an hour west by road and runs distillery tours.