Editor’s note: Today we have a guest post from Crayton. While he usually prefers to remain the “silent partner” on The Mija Chronicles, he has come across some information that he thinks you may enjoy. Here it is.
Watching the NFL in Mexico is a lot like watching it in the States. The broadcast networks, plus a couple of cable channels, air the games, so if you’re a general-interest fan you can get your fill.
The problem arises for a person like me who is a devoted fan of a particular team, in this case the mighty Chicago Bears. In the U.S., it’s impossible to see every game each week without the Sunday Ticket package, available on DirecTV. Mexico carries Sunday Ticket as well, through Sky, the country’s biggest satellite provider.
We aren’t in a position to get a satellite at the moment, so no Sky for us. (A note from Lesley: Whaaa? You mean we aren’t getting Sky?) That led me, on our first NFL Sunday in Mexico, on a desperate search for a place to watch the majestic Bears demolish the Seahawks.
A side note: If I were in most other countries besides Mexico and the U.S., I could stream the NFL games through the NFL’s own website, which offers that service in most parts of the world. Mexico is blocked since Sky offers Sunday Ticket here.
A few weekends ago, riding around town in the GPS-equipped SUV of my friend Dr. Lic. Carlitos, who likes to put Darude’s techno anthem “Sandstorm” on blast, I popped into several establishments to inquire about the availability of the Sunday Ticket.
Let’s just say it’s not a household name here. Several waiters and bartenders at cantinas and Irish pubs said they did have NFL games, but when I asked them to grab a remote control to pull up the menu for their Sky set-top box, it was apparent they didn’t have ALL the games. (Lesley: Yeeeah, cantina dude! Top that!)
A gentleman at the host’s stand at an Irish pub in the ritzy Polanco neighborhood suggested we go to Caliente, a gambling establishment about 10 minutes away, which has a sports book. Unfortunately, Caliente was not a Caesar’s-Palace-style sports book.
The Polanco location featured a quiet, well-lit room with gamblers seated at cafeteria-style tables. There was little running commentary, only the occasional cheer when someone’s team scored. A waiter brought drinks from a restaurant downstairs, but the service was spotty and unpredictable. Meh. I don’t know about you, but when I’m watching some football, I need the beers to keep on coming. (Lesley: This is true.)
For this past weekend’s game against the pitiful Lions, I wanted something better. So I did some Internet searches. A series of sort-of-handy Yahoo Answers led me to a bar you might be familiar with if you’re from the U.S.: Hooters.
Hooters has one location on the route of Mexico’s Metrobus route on Insurgentes Sur, in the Colonia San Angel.
I placed a call.
“Hi, I’m looking for a place that has all the NFL games, even those that aren’t available on cable TV. Do you have those?”
“Yes, we have NFL games.”
“But do you have ALL of them? Because some aren’t available on cable.”
“Yes, we have all of them. We even open early, at noon, so people can watch the games.”
“OK. So you have ALL of them.”
“That’s the case.”
I was suspicious. I’d been burned a few times. But we stopped by yesterday around 12:30, and true to the Hooters dude’s words, the place was blanketed with LCD screens showing every single NFL game in progress. I made my way to a barstool, suffered through the first half and then enjoyed the more lopsided Bears victory in the second period.
“But Crayton,” you may be asking, “what was it like to watch the game at Hooters in Mexico?” (Sorry, that was me, Lesley, again.)
I’ve never been to a Hooters in the U.S., so I can’t really provide a comparison. The servers wear orange shorts and pantyhose, and some glide around on roller skates. I assume this is common. All I know is that the beer was cold (if not cheap by Mexico standards) and the game was on. That makes me a loyal Hooters customer, at least here in Mexico City.
GO BEARS!
This story makes me very happy. Go Bears is right.
Bear down, Crayton, Bear down. Go Chicago!
Just proxy your internet service so it looks like your in a different country. Should work for hulu.com and any other country specific content.
So you’re a fan of hooters for the football games? Hmmm… Yeah, I’ve heard that one before… “I only read the articles in (playboy/hustler/penthouse)… Honest! Raúl, ¿no te enseñé mejor que eso?
Oh, wow, shamed. But I really was there for the football, honest!
I promise, as a testament to all the women in my life who taught me to know better, that I’ll search for somewhere less demeaning that has my Bears on the screen.
I will also not be one of those people who swear they go to Hooters because the wings are good. This was my first visit, and I didn’t try the wings. I had a chicken quesadilla. It was meh.
hey Crayton, have you tried the Yuppies Sport Bar at Zona Rosa? I’m not a NFL fan, but I was there the other day and looks like they could have it. Plus it’s closer from your place. Good luck!
Dude…..HUGE Bears fan going to be in Mexico from 6th til 2nd of November…do ALL Hooters play ALL of the NFL games? Just looking for Bear game(s). I keep calling the Hooters in Guadalajuara and Queretaro and no answer… HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey! Glad to see another Bears fan out there! Unfortunately, I don’t think Crayton knows anything about the games in Guadalajara and Queretaro. He can only speak for Mexico City. If you speak Spanish, I’d urge you to call Hooters once you’re there, or stop by in person and ask them. Or you can ask the folks at Hooters if they might know of a place, or the hotel where you’re staying. Sorry I can’t be of more help. Good luck!
I will be working at the AF school in Mexico City the next 2 years. I am from Minnesota and want to watch the Vikings in what may be there last 2 seasons in Minnesota. Thanks for the info!
I am a Packer Fan living in DF and am wondering if you have found any place else that has the NFL Ticket. I too can’t afford Sky and being a woman I am REALLY not all that interested in going to Hooters (although cold, cheap beer is very enticing). Please help!
Hi Naomi: I asked Crayton about this and he says he still only knows of Hooters. I’m sorry. 🙁 I know he’s gone to King’s Pub a few times, but I’m not sure if the bar has NFL ticket or they were showing one of the few games that happened to be on TV. I’m sure Crayton will comment if he has any other suggestions for you. If you do find a place, come back and let us know!
One more thing: GO BEARS!
So now we have a Vikings fan AND a Packers fan in DF wanting to watch games? I know we are all mortal enemies, but I think we shold create some sort of unholy alliance to revisit this problem with the new season right around the corner. I’ll get your contact info from Lesley and let’s see what we can accomplish with our combined efforts. GO BEARS!
Yes, I agree. Despite being enemies we are still fellow mid-westerners and football is more fun when you have someone to cheer against! 🙂 I will make my students do some research and give extra credit to the student who finds the best bar to watch the NFL (don’t worry they are adults). I am sure we can find someplace better. GO PACK GO!GO PACK GO!
there is a casino there in Mexico that is pretty common in all cities….I can’t remember it for the life of me! but they ALL have the NFL package. there are usually a few NFL fans there watching…..if I remember the name I will post it. it is very common place though I went to a few of them. two of them were located in malls… you can place bets etc…
Pasquale, you’re probably thinking of the Caliente chain of casinos, and you’re absolutely right, they have satellite feeds of all NFL games. But it’s a pretty dreary environment, in my experience. The sportsbooks are quiet and filled with old dudes betting on horse races, and they’ll only serve beer if they have some deal with a nearby restaurant. It’ll do in a pinch, but what I’m looking for is a real bar.
Good news! I have discovered several ways to watch the Packers win this season! 🙂 My students have informed me that there is a bar in the Condesa called Zydeco that has the NFL ticket and a good environment and I guess they show the games at Carls Jr too (doesn’t sound like the best place). But I have been enjoying the NFL at home by using this website http://www.firstrow.net/sports/american-football.html I just connect my computer to the TV buy some cheap beer and it feels just like home. GO PACK GO!!!
Hi Naomi! I’ve been to Zydeco – it’s pretty cool, and one of the few places in town where you can occasionally hear some Southern hip-hop, which is near to my heart. No idea they had the Sunday Ticket. I’m going to head over there Sunday to investigate, will keep you posted.
I should also note that my Bears and those hated Packers will be playing Monday night next week, which means pretty much any bar or cantina with a TV will be showing our game. Aaron Rodgers, prepare to spend a lot of time on your back. GO BEARS.
Oh and I was also told that Cinemex shows the Monday night games in the theater. Supposedly they have nice package deals for tickets, beer, and popcorn. It could be a lot of fun to watch Cutler be sacked over and over by Matthews on the big screen. That way I could really see the expressions of pain and embarrassment up close. 🙂 And maybe Rodgers will be on his back . . . LAUGHING!!!! hahaha
Ok, so I know it’s been a while since this post was updated, but where are the Packers and Bears fans going tomorrow here in el DF? I think I’ll check out Zydeco…and by the way GO PACK!!!
I presume Zydeco will have the game – I went by there on a Sunday one day during the regular season, and unfortunately, they don’t have Sunday Ticket so you won’t see every game there. They did have a huge crowd on Sunday nights during the regular season, and the games were on, but no audio, just techno music blasting, so may not be all that useful for game-watching after all.
I’m watching the game at a friend’s house. The where-to-watch-the-NFL-in-Mexico-City remains unanswered to my satisfaction.
Oh and of course… GO BEARS.
Hi, I just want to thank you for this post. I’m an okie living in D.F. until January and was starting to worry where and how I would watch my Bears play. Yes, I am also a Bears fan. Huge in fact. I was born a fan. My dad was a huge Bears fan. Anyway, thanks for the heads up. Do you know if the Hooters airs college football games too? I am also a die hard Sooners fan. And if children are allowed? I have a three year old that I will need to take with me.
Absolutely horrid that the Packers won the Superbowl.
All right Angela! We’ll have to get in touch when football season starts. If I remember correctly, Hooter’s has a children’s play area. I know that fact is deeply disturbing to some people, but there it is.
College football is tougher to find than pro football, but sometimes really big games are aired. You might check with OU’s website to see if they have any kind of online broadcast package for expats. Some schools do, I think.
GO BEARS! I hear ya on Green Bay. Terrible.
Right on, it’s alwys fun to watch games with fellow fans. My husband is a 49er’s fan, unfortunately, but he’ll be around too. I’m glad to hear there is a play area for the kiddos. It will keep my daughter happy and entertained.
I know OU has a livefeed when games are on so I can keep up that way. I didn’t have cable when I was back in the states so I would just listen to it on the radio. I really hope I can watch the OU/Texas game though. That is always a good game. Are you into college football?
GO BEARS!
Hello Crayton and all.
Thanks so much for this post! I live in Guadalajara and I’m desperate to find a bar in GDL that has the NFL Sunday Ticket. From the posts, I’m going to check Hooters in GDL, but any one know of any other places/bars I can try?
Sky wants a 2 year contract in order to get Sunday Ticket, so that isn’t an option.
Please help!! Thanx.
Yeah, no idea on GDL, so please do post an update if you get to a Hooters and can confirm they have it over there.
An update as of NFL Week 3, 2011 – Hooter’s still appears to be the only option for Sunday Ticket. I’ve yet to find another bar around here that shows ALL the games.
These guys are serious football fans and have started arranging a Monday night get-together in Del Valle, so I might go one week and hit them up for ideas: http://www.primeroydiez.com.mx/
Another thought. DirecTV, in the U.S., is now offering Sunday Ticket online for U.S. customers who confirm they’re in an area where they can’t order satellite service. It’s $350 for a season, which, ouch. But I do wonder if you could order it with a U.S. credit card and then watch Sunday Ticket online to your heart’s content here in Mexico (or anywhere in the world, for that matter). It’s called Sunday Ticket To-Go. Anybody tried this? http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/content/nflstonline/overview
It is really stupid that the NFL doesn’t allow its Gamepass service (http://gamepass.nfl.com) for Mexico residents. I understand that licensing games for TV is a major business in the U.S. and the league doesn’t want to disrupt the system there, or can’t contractually. But there’s no way that a small audience of expats watching games online would make that big a difference in the bottom line of Mexican broadcasters who show NFL games. Do you hear me, NFL? Stupid!
GO BEARS! EAT PACKER FLESH!
people, google for wiziwig, you could find streams for almost every game. i watch most games on my laptop, but every once in a while watching in hd and having a snack would be cool.
i’m mexican, and i’m gonna be looking for some place to watch games around colonia del valle, i want couches and more of a lounge setup not chairs, and good food, so hooters doesn’t work for me. the other day i ended up in yak which is a casino of sorts, the food was lousy and the crowd are those elders betting on horse races, but a mosaic of 8 screens showing 6 games made the experience interesting. i’ll check out caliente and will let you know if i find anything else.
https://bet.caliente.com.mx/info.php?area=directorio&seccion=df
well.
last monday night i was at a place called yuppie’s sports bar. it’s quite commendable, more than 10 plasmas and 2 projectors, food is quite good, prices reasonable and they have comfy couches. you can search for their webpage, the only drawback is that it is in the very skirts of town, in interlomas, and even knowing the zone very well i had to ask for directions.
Thanks, Marcos. I didn’t know there was a new Yuppie’s – the old one used to be in Zona Rosa, but it’s a cupcake place now. I think there are more and more bars with nice TV screens, and maybe even a couple that actually show games in HD.
The challenge is to find a place that has Sunday Ticket. I want to be able to go into a bar on any Sunday and be able to see any game that’s being played that day, not just the ones that are being broadcast on Televisa/Azteca/Fox Sports/ESPN. This requires the bar to have subscriptions to Sky that give it multiple satellite boxes and access to all NFL games. Sky has this service available but I have yet to find a bar that uses it. It’s quite common in the U.S.
In other words, I want to be able to go into a bar at noon on Sunday and see five different games playing on five different screens, not just one game being played on several different screens. I have yet to find a place like this besides Hooters and the very depressing casinos, I’m sad to report.
Any updates on where to watch NFL games on Sunday or is Hooters still the best bet? I am a huge 49ers fan and need to watch our run for an undefeated season!
Hi David: Crayton says Hooters is still the only option to watch the NFL, if you want to watch a game that’s not shown on local broadcast TV, ESPN or Fox. Go Bears. 🙂