After a midyear law reform approved by the Mexico City Congress to allow only “non-violent” bullfighting, the Monumental Plaza de Toros La México has managed to reinvent itself, leaving behind the traditional taurine events and hosting more musical concerts. In 2025, the venue multiplied the number of attendees and artists who performed on its stage, including stars like Alfredo Olivas, Alejandro Fernández and Junior H, solidifying itself as one of the area’s most sought-after venues.
“We saw the potential to host massive events and worked to make it viable; that’s how this project has progressed,” Mario Zulaica, director of La México, tells Billboard Español, noting that the plaza, with a capacity of 42,000 people, faces significant challenges. “First of all, the operational aspect, because it’s located in the heart of Mexico City and surrounded by very busy avenues, in addition to having a stadium next door,” he explains, referring to the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, located just a few feet away, on Holbein Avenue. “Together with the authorities, we have found ways to ensure everything operates with more detailed logistics and to carry out events in an orderly manner.”
Inaugurated in 1946, the Plaza de Toros México — as it was then known — was a stage for historic bullfights for eight decades; music stars such as Vicente Fernández, Banda El Recodo, and Juan Gabriel required larger capacities and occasionally performed there. It wasn’t until May 2022, under the direction of Zulaica, that it was decided to consistently use the venue for musical entertainment, with the group Intocable as the first act of a new era.
Only three concerts were held in 2022, as efforts began to position a new name for the venue; for legal reasons, the name Plaza de Toros México could no longer be used, so it was changed to La Monumental Plaza de Toros La México.
In 2025, the venue has hosted 19 shows, including the four sold-out performances by Junior H as part of his México en Lágrimas: Sad Boyz Tour between November and December. The corridos tumbados idol, who had already performed twice at La México in 2023, thus broke the record for performances at the venue, with six, followed by Alejandro Fernández, who has five. International artists such as Swedish House Mafia, Feid, Jorge Medina and Josi Cuen, Yuridia, and regional Mexican music star Alfredo Olivas, who closed with two dates on December 19 and 20, also performed this year.
Junior H
Eder Gutiérrez / La México
“In 2025, more than 600,000 people attended one of the concerts. For next year, expectations are even higher. We are estimating that we will have 40 concerts by national and international artists, as there will no longer be bullfights [at La México],” notes Zulaica. The venue’s decision followed a law reform approved by the Mexico City Congress in the summer that prohibits the killing of bulls and the use of sharp instruments, allowing only the use of the cape and muleta in non-violent events, as reported by El País.
Among the shows already announced for next year, Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, will perform two dates, on January 30-31. Carlos Rivera, Banda MS, and Christian Nodal will hold concerts in May, Los Ángeles Azules will play in June, and Edén Muñoz in October.
The Monumental Plaza de Toros La México has become an attractive venue for artists because of its circular shape, similar to that of palenques. Although with larger dimensions, the design allows for close contact with the audience, offering a new experience for artists who have already performed in large arenas and stadiums, in a place considered historic.
“Performing in a palenque gives you a very special closeness with the audience because it’s a small venue. But seeing yourself surrounded by more than 40,000 people is very exciting,” Muñoz, who also was a guest artist at Olivas’ concert last weekend, tells Billboard Español.
For Zulaica, the goal is to continue positioning the venue and demonstrating that it has the “chameleon-like capacity” to adapt to different shows.
“We did Disney’s Coco show with an immersive experience, but we also put on major musical performances,” says Zulaica. “Our team strives to provide the best experience for the audience, the artists, promoters, media, and all those we partner with.”
Monumental Plaza de Toros La México
Eder Gutiérrez / La México
