Los Juegos de Pelota: Mesoamerican Ball Games from past to present was a free lecture event hosted by the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, D.C. It took place on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at Mexican Cultural Institute. Admission was free. Nearest Metro: 4-min walk from Farragut West (Blue/Orange/Silver).
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
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Mexican Cultural Institute
2829 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
4-min walk from Farragut West · Blue/Orange/Silver (approx.)
Open in Google Maps →6:30 PM · Mexican Cultural Institute
Time TBD · Mexican Cultural Institute
8:00 PM · Various venues (SPAIN arts & culture)
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